511
I guess we could use the native Japanese numbers, 一つ, 二つ, 三つ...but we'd run
into a problem at or after ten (not sure how とお works — same for はたち).

Is there a general counter word that we can fallback on? For example, if
something is mechanical I'd probably fallback on 台 (だい), if it's flat 枚 (まい).
For more general objects like 11 motorcycle helmets, or 15 packs of
cigarettes, or 24 clothes hangers, could I fallback on something?
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-06-03T15:47:31.937
510
2011-12-27T16:43:16.340
2011-12-27T16:43:16.340
54
question
numbers counters
Is there a general counter word for objects that you can fallback on if you're not sure which one to use?
You'd fall back to 個. It's understandable to count everything as 個, and in
many cases it's acceptable (or the only common way) as well.

Counting animals as 個 does sound quite weird though, so you might want to
avoid that. And never count people as 個. That's just wrong.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-06-03T16:07:49.500
511
2011-06-03T16:07:49.500
20
510
answer