Grammar: counters, dates, time, suffixes and genkō yōshi
Read practical quantities and prepare writing for the paper's familiar tasks.
Section G5 · Grammar · Counters, dates and format
Exam scope and assessment notes
This is an original mapped starter, not the recommended full course of about 130 guided learning hours. All Japanese examples, translations, grammar explanations, kanji groupings, listening scripts and pronunciation aids require review by a qualified Japanese-language teacher before publication is described as complete. Browser speech is supplemental, not Cambridge audio. Speaking rehearsal and writing feedback are formative and do not reproduce a live examiner or award official marks. The linked vocabulary workbook has not been reconciled word by word.
Before you begin
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Which approach gives the most reliable Japanese response?
What you will learn
- Practise counters, dates, times and duration expressions.
- Recognise suffixes and the genkō yōshi grid.
Keep a counter with what it counts
Japanese uses counters for categories such as books, sheets, machines, animals, visits and cups. The syllabus also lists general つ forms and suffixes 目 and ずつ.
Counter choice and readings can be irregular. Do not guess a pronunciation from the character alone.
Prepare the response format
Candidates should know vertical writing on a genkō yōshi grid for longer writing tasks. Cambridge says incorrect grid use, including horizontal writing, is not penalised.
Questions 2 and 3 specify about 160–180 and 250–300 characters, not English word counts.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
Are Paper 4 length guides expressed in English words?
Worked example
A plan says 「三日間、東京にいます。毎日二回、日本語を勉強します。」 How long is the stay, and how often does the learner study each day?
Show the worked solution
- Find 三日間 for duration.
- Find 毎日 and 二回 for daily frequency.
- Keep total stay separate from frequency.
Answer The learner stays in Tokyo for three days and studies Japanese twice each day.
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
A learner reads 「本を二冊買いました。」 What does 二冊 count?
Give me a hint
Find the noun before the counter.
Compare my reasoning
- Identify 本.
- Identify 二冊.
- State quantity and object.
The learner bought two books. 冊 is used here for books; check pronunciation with a teacher.
Look for these in your work
- Finds the counted noun
- Reports quantity
- Matches counter
A course meets once a week for four weeks. Which detail is frequency and which is duration?
Give me a hint
Separate how often from how long.
Compare my reasoning
- Find the weekly meeting pattern.
- Find the four-week span.
- Label each separately.
Frequency is once each week; total duration is four weeks. Verify Japanese counter forms before use.
Look for these in your work
- Separates measures
- Reports frequency
- Reports duration
Before submitting a Paper 4 draft, list three checks about content, character count and page layout.
Give me a hint
Check the prompt, range and expected grid.
Compare my reasoning
- Verify each prompt point.
- Count characters against the approximate range.
- Check readable genkō yōshi use.
Check prompt coverage, the correct character range and readable familiarity with genkō yōshi. Cambridge does not penalise horizontal writing instead of the grid.
Look for these in your work
- Checks task completion
- Counts characters
- Understands layout
Common mistakes
- Using the wrong counter
- Confusing duration and frequency
- Counting English words when the prompt specifies Japanese characters
What can you explain now?
Are Paper 4 length guides expressed in English words?
Compare with the explanation
No, Questions 2 and 3 use approximate character counts
The syllabus specifies about 160–180 and 250–300 characters.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
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Make it stick
Explain one idea from memory, answer the checkpoint, and name a Japanese form or reading that needs checking.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.