In English, counters always go before the noun — "three cups of coffee," "two books." Japanese is different: counters can move around, and each position gives a slightly different nuance.
Three Legal Positions
Using "drank three cups of coffee" as an example:
Position 1: Before the Verb (Most Common)
コーヒーを三杯飲みました。
The counter sits right before the verb. This is the most natural, most common position.
Position 2: Before the Noun
三杯コーヒーを飲みました。
The counter comes before the noun, like in English. Also valid, but less common in Japanese.
Position 3: With の Modifying the Noun
三杯のコーヒーを飲みました。
Counter + の + noun. Adding の creates a sense of "these specific three cups."
How They Differ
| Expression | Nuance |
|---|---|
| コーヒーを三杯飲みました | Drank coffee — three cups (most natural) |
| 三杯コーヒーを飲みました | Three cups of coffee, drank (slightly emphasizes quantity) |
| 三杯のコーヒーを飲みました | Those three cups of coffee, drank (specifying) |
In everyday conversation, the first one is used most.
Core Principle: Counters Are Adverbs
Japanese counters are essentially adverbs — they modify the verb (how many times / how many things), not the noun. That's why they don't need any particle and naturally sit before the verb.
本を二冊買いました。 → Bought two books. ビールを三本飲みました。 → Drank three bottles of beer.
This is why the most natural position is before the verb — because that's where adverbs naturally go.
One Forbidden Move: No を After Counters
This is the only thing you need to be careful about: never put を after a counter.
| Example | Correct? | |
|---|---|---|
| Correct | コーヒーを三杯飲みました | Yes |
| Correct | 三杯コーヒーを飲みました | Yes |
| Wrong | 三杯を飲みました | No! |
を can only follow nouns, not counters. This is because counters are adverbs, not nouns.
More Examples
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 切手を五枚買いました。 | Bought five stamps. |
| 水を二杯ください。 | Two glasses of water, please. |
| りんごを三つ食べました。 | Ate three apples. |
| 三つりんごを食べました。 | Ate three apples. (also fine) |
Summary
- Most natural position: Noun を + Counter + Verb
- Can also go before the noun, or with の to modify the noun
- Counters are essentially adverbs — no particle needed
- Forbidden: never put を after a counter
Practice Questions
Q1. How do you say "bought three books" in Japanese? (Use the most natural word order.)
Show Answer
本を三冊買いました。
Noun を + Counter + Verb is the most natural order.
Q2. What's the difference between 「三杯のコーヒーを飲みました」 and 「コーヒーを三杯飲みました」?
Show Answer
The meaning is similar, but the nuance differs:
- 三杯のコーヒー = those three cups of coffee (specifying, like "the three cups")
- コーヒーを三杯 = drank coffee, three cups (natural statement of quantity)
The second is more common in everyday conversation.
Q3. What's wrong with 「三本をビールを飲みました」?
Show Answer
The problem is 三本を — you can't put を after a counter. を can only follow nouns.
Correct version: ビールを三本飲みました。