JLPT N4・N5 Vocabulary – Difference between the counter “回” and “度”
Table of Contents
1. Counter “回” and “度”
2. “〜回” VS “〜度 “
3. 〜回
4. 〜度
5. 何回 VS 何度
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: Do “一回” and “一度” mean the same thing?
A: “回” and “度” are counter suffixes used to count experiences or events.
They are used with similar meanings, but depending on the context, their use can sometimes be unnatural or inappropriate.
“〜回” VS “〜度 “
In discussing experiences or events as follows, either can be appropriate.
[例]
山田さんは二回遅刻しました。
山田さんは二度遅刻しました。
Mr. Yamada was late twice.
西田様には一回お会いしたことがあります。
西田様には一度お会いしたことがあります。
I have met Mr. Nishida once.
However, “度” is more commonly used when speaking in a polite manner.
〜回 (JLPT N5)
Next, let’s look at some cases where “度” cannot be substituted.
① Few / Many
“回 ” can be used regardless of whether the number is small or large. On the other hand, “度” is generally used up to about ‘3’, except in special counting cases.
[Examples]
〇 ディズニーワールドに10回行ったことがあります。
× ディズニーワールドに10度行ったことがあります。
I have been to Disney World ten times.
② Repetitive actions
When regular continuation or repetition is considered, “回“ is used.”
[Examples]
山田さんは奥さんに5回プロポーズしたらしいです。
I heard that Mr. Yamada proposed to his wife five times.
母を6回呼んでも母は気が付きませんでした。
Even though I called my mother six times, she didn’t notice.
③ When accompanied by a prefix
When using prefixes such as ‘第‘ (ordinal), ‘全‘ (all/total), or ‘計‘ (total), only “回“ can be used.
[Examples]
第100回目の卒業式をはじめます。
We are starting the 100th graduation ceremony.
これは全12回のドラマです。
This is a drama series with a total of 12 episodes.
山田さんは、計10回遅刻しています。
Mr. Yamada has been late a total of 10 times.
〜度 (JLPT N4)
Having read this far, you might think that “回“ is suitable for everything, but using “度” changes the speaker’s sentiment.
This sentiment implies that the same thing is unlikely to be repeated or expected.
While “回“ is used for repetitive actions, “度” is used in the opposite sense.
[Examples]
姉の離婚はこれで3度目です。
This is my sister’s third divorce.
⇒ This implies a hope to avoid a fourth divorce.
あの人には2度と会えないかもしれません。
I might never see that person again.
⇒ It means that although I met that person once, I am unsure if there will be a second time.
何回 vs 何度
What happens when we use the interrogative ”何“(what)?
“何回” is relatively used for actions repeated over a certain period of time.
[Examples]
20代のときは何回も東京へ行きました。
I went to Tokyo many times in my twenties.
⇒ This indicates that I repeatedly went to Tokyo during my twenties.
父に何回電話をしても出ません。
No matter how many times I call my father, he doesn’t answer.
⇒ This shows that I repeatedly called my father over a certain period of time.
Next, let’s talk about ‘何度”.
Like “何回“, it is used for actions that are repeated. However, it is used when the duration or frequency is unclear or when the actions cannot be clearly counted.
[Examples]
何度でもチャレンジするつもりだ。
I intend to try as many times as necessary.
⇒ Trying is an action that cannot be clearly counted.
きっと何度言ってもわたしの気持ちは伝わらないだろう。
No matter how many times I say it, my feelings probably won’t get across.
⇒ The period for expressing feelings is not clear.
Summary
〜回
- It is widely used for continuous and repetitive actions and has no limitations on the number of times it can be used.
- It is used exclusively with prefixes such as ‘第‘ (ordinal), ‘全‘ (all/total), or ‘計‘ (total).
- ”何回” is used for countable actions that are repeated over a specific time or period.
〜度
- “度” is similarly used for continuous and repetitive actions but is limited to a small number of occurrences.
- It is used when the speaker wishes to avoid the same action or finds it unlikely to expect a repetition.
- “何度” is used when the time or period is vague, and the action itself cannot be clearly counted.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A.回
東京には8回行ったことがあるよ。
I have been to Tokyo eight times.
*The number 8 is large, so ‘回‘ is the correct answer.
A. 度
3度目の失敗は許されません。
A third failure is not acceptable.
*Since ‘not allowed’ implies that the speaker does not want to repeat the failure, ‘度‘ is more appropriate.
A. 何回
子どものときは何回も、母と遊園地へ行きました。
When I was a child, I went to the amusement park many times with my mother.
*Since it refers to a specific time during childhood and the act of going is countable, ‘何回‘ is suitable.
A. 何度
失敗しても何度もやってみると、きっとうまくいきますよ。
If you keep trying despite failures, it will surely work out.
*Since ‘trying’ cannot be clearly counted, ‘何度‘ is more appropriate.
