Usage of ～杯
The suffix ～杯 (はい) is a common counter used to count the number of cupfuls or glassfuls of drinks. It is attached to numbers to indicate how many cups or glasses of a beverage are involved.
Common Collocations
- 一杯 (いっぱい): one cup/glass
- 二杯 (にはい): two cups/glasses
- 三杯 (さんばい): three cups/glasses
These are often used when ordering drinks or describing how many drinks someone has consumed.
Nuances and Usage Notes
When using ～杯, the pronunciation of the counter changes depending on the number due to rendaku (voicing) and phonetic reasons. For example, 一杯 is pronounced いっぱい, 二杯 is にはい, and 三杯 is さんばい.
This counter is typically used for liquids served in cups or glasses, such as tea, coffee, beer, or sake. It is polite and common in everyday conversation.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse ～杯 with ～本 (ほん), which is used for counting bottles or long cylindrical objects. Remember that ～杯 counts the number of cups or glasses, not bottles.
Summary
Use ～杯 to count how many cups or glasses of a drink you have or want. Pay attention to pronunciation changes with different numbers, and use it naturally when talking about beverages.