28027
Instead of using the proper counter for each thing, is it okay to just use the
つ counter?

Like in:

> 彼女は子猫２匹を持っている。

Use つ instead of 匹:

> 彼女は子猫２つを持っている。

Are there situations when this is incorrect or not recommended?
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2015-09-15T07:05:51.317
28026
2015-09-16T03:25:57.197
2015-09-15T20:10:09.897
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question
counters
Is it okay to use つ counting for everything?
つ is a generic _inanimate_ counter. It might be confusing sometimes, but you
can get away with using it for lots of inanimate objects if you don't know a
more appropriate counter.

**Don't use つ for animals or people.**

You should use 匹 for kittens in your example, not つ. The basic counter for
people is 人{にん}.

In general, animate objects (animals and people) have special counters. No
matter how long and thin a snake may be, you can't use the inanimate counter
for long and slender objects (本) to refer to it. And you should never refer to
people like they're inanimate objects.

If you don't already know them, you should try to learn some basic counters at
some point. Planning on using つ _all_ the time is no good. Some of the most
common ones include 人・名・匹 (animates) and 本・枚・台 (inanimates), along with つ and
個.
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2015-09-15T07:37:45.253
28027
2015-09-15T20:22:00.077
2015-09-15T20:22:00.077
28026
answer
It might work for most objects.

For some other concepts it won't be understandable at all, though, for
instance don't use it for:

  * Hours/days/months/etc
  * People (as snailboat said)
  * Number of occurences
  * Distances
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2015-09-16T03:25:57.197
28037
2015-09-16T03:25:57.197
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answer