Counting

Counting in Japanese in many ways is easier than counting in English.
The first thing as in any language is to count from one to ten.

One of the easiest ways to learn to count is using the old song from childhood, London Bridge is Burning Down. The one important thing to know before using this song is that there are two ways to say seven in Japanese. There are multiple ways to say other numbers too, but for this song seven is the important one to know. Seven can also be nana.

So now to the song. To the tune of London Bridge sing

Ichi, Ni, San, Shi, San Shi, San Shi, Go, rocko, Nana, Hachi, Kyu, Ju.

After getting the pronounciation sorted have a go at writing in kanji. Refer to the attached image.

Now that one to ten is sorted, the next parts easy.

11 is simply 10 + 1, ju ichi
12 is 10 + 2, ju ni

This follows a predictable pattern through to 19. Then it changes from + to x
Twenty is two x ten = Ni ju
Thirty is three x ten = San ju

Follow the pattern and you can't go wrong.

Happy counting!