回

Counter for Times

Level 1Sounds Like kai

Use 回 (かい) to count frequency, repetitions, or rounds. It is the most common way to say 'times' in Japanese.

How It Works

The counter 回（かい） is essential for expressing how often something happens.

1. Counting and Pronunciation:
It uses Sino-Japanese numbers, but several numbers undergo a sound change (gemination) where the final syllable becomes a small っ:

  • 1 time: 一回（いっかい）
  • 6 times: 六回（ろっかい）
  • 8 times: 八回（はっかい）
  • 10 times: 十回（じゅっかい / じっかい）
  • 100 times: 百回（ひゃっかい）

Note that 何回（なんかい） (how many times) does not undergo this change.

2. Usage Nuance:
回 is used for events that are part of a series or are expected to repeat. While 度（ど） can also mean 'times,' 回 is much more common for higher numbers (4 and above) and for mechanical rotations or sports rounds (like innings).

3. Sentence Placement:
In a sentence, the counter usually follows the particle に when expressing frequency within a time period (e.g., 'three times per week').

Examples (4)

  1. 日本に三回行ったことがあります。

    I have been to Japan three times.

    Word by Word: Japan to three-times went experience exists.

    Here, 三回 (さんかい) indicates the total number of times the speaker has experienced going to Japan.

  2. 一日に三回、薬を飲んでください。

    Please take the medicine three times a day.

    Word by Word: One-day in three-times, medicine drink please.

    When combined with 一日に (いちにちに), it expresses a daily frequency.

  3. この映画はもう五回も見ました。

    I've already seen this movie as many as five times.

    Word by Word: This movie already five-times even saw.

    Adding the particle も after the counter emphasizes that the number of times is surprisingly high.

  4. 何回言えばわかりますか。

    How many times do I have to tell you until you understand?

    Word by Word: How-many-times if-say understand?

    何回 (なんかい) is the standard way to ask 'how many times?'

Common Mistakes

  • Incorrect pronunciation for 1, 6, 8, or 10.

    一回（いちかい）見ました。
    一回（いっかい）見ました。

    Numbers ending in 1, 6, 8, and 10 must use the small 「っ」 before 「かい」. Saying 「いちかい」 sounds unnatural.

  • Confusing 'times'（回）with 'floors'（階）.

    三回（さんがい）行きました。
    三回（さんかい）行きました。

    While the counter for floors 階（かい） changes to 「がい」 for the 3rd floor（さんがい）, the counter for 'times' 回 always stays 「かい」（さんかい）.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

回Level 1Counter for Times

Learn This First

To understand the counter 回, you need to be familiar with the Japanese system of counters and how they are used to quantify nouns or actions. Basic kanji knowledge is helpful for recognizing the character, and knowing how to form questions with 'nan' is important for practical usage.

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回