Japanese grammar
What does ～目 (ordinal) mean? Japanese grammar N4
～目 (ordinal) means the ~th (ordinal number).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N4 |
|---|---|
| Structure | quantity word + 目 |
| Romaji | ~ me |
| Meaning | the ~th (ordinal number) |
Forming it
| Example | 一つ目 (1st)・三番目 (3rd)・二日目 (2nd day)・五回目 (5th time) |
|---|---|
| Formula | 数字 + 助数詞 + 目 |
How to use it
Turns a counting number into an ordinal number.
- 目 attaches after the WHOLE counting phrase (number + counter) to turn it into an ordinal: 一つ → 一つ目 (the first one), 三番 → 三番目 (the third), 二日 → 二日目 (the second day).
- Key point Vietnamese speakers often get wrong: 目 attaches after the WHOLE counting phrase, not directly after the number. You can't say 「三目」; it must be 「三番目」・「三つ目」 — meaning a counter must be in between.
- Distinguish COUNTING numbers from ORDINAL numbers: 「三日休みました」(took three days off — quantity) ↔ 「三日目に病院へ行きました」(on the third day I went to the hospital — ordinal). Vietnamese distinguishes them with different phrasing ("three days" vs. "the third day"), while Japanese distinguishes them by whether 目 is present.
- An extremely common phrase for giving directions: 「二つ目の角を右に曲がってください」(turn right at the second corner). Remember の is needed when modifying a noun: 二つ目の角.
Examples
二つ目の角を右に曲がってください。
Please turn right at the second corner.
日本へ来るのは今回が三回目です。
This is my third time coming to Japan.
前から三番目の席に座ってください。
Please sit in the third seat from the front.
Keep in mind
- With 番, both 三番 and 三番目 can be said, but 三番目 emphasizes the ordinal more clearly.
- 目 here is read め, and has nothing to do with 目 (eye) even though it's the same character.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong三目の角を曲がってください。
Turn at the third corner.
Correct三つ目の角を曲がってください。
目 must attach after the WHOLE counting phrase (number + counter), not directly after the number. There must be つ／番／回 in between.
-
Wrong二つ目角を右に曲がります。
Turn right at the second corner.
Correct二つ目の角を右に曲がります。
The phrase ～目 modifying a noun must have の in between.
-
Wrong日本へ来るのは三回です。
This is the third time I've come to Japan.
Correct日本へ来るのは三回目です。
Without 目, it becomes a COUNTING number ("three times"), not an ORDINAL number ("the third time").
Exam tips
- Direction-giving questions (listening section) very often use 一つ目・二つ目の角 — listen carefully to the number.