枚（まい、mai）
- ~flat objects

The Japanese counter word 枚 (まい, mai) is used to count flat, thin objects. Think of it as the Japanese equivalent of "sheets," "pieces," or "counters" for flat items. It indicates the number of items being discussed. The items counted using 枚 (まい, mai) are typically flat and relatively thin, such as paper, plates, shirts, tickets, etc.

⚫︎紙を一枚ください。 Translation: Please give me one sheet of paper. ⚫︎お皿が三枚割れました。 Translation: Three plates broke. ⚫︎切符を五枚買いました。 Translation: I bought five tickets.

To use 枚 (まい, mai), you place the number before it. For instance, 一枚 (いち［まい］, ichimai) means "one sheet/piece," 二枚 (に［まい］, nimai) means "two sheets/pieces," and so on. It's important to choose the correct counter based on the object you are counting. While 枚 (まい, mai) is common, remember that other counters exist for different types of objects (e.g., 個 (ko) for general items, 本 (hon) for long, slender objects).

枚 is written as 枚 in kanji. The reading is まい in hiragana. There are no other ways to write this word. The okurigana is standard.

While there aren't direct synonyms for 枚 (まい, mai), other counters can be used depending on the item being counted, such as: ⚫︎ 個 (ko): for general items ⚫︎ 冊 (satsu): for books ⚫︎ 本 (hon): for long, slender objects

There aren't specific antonyms. The choice of counter depends on the object, not an opposing concept. The closest concept might be using a different counter word for a different shape or form of object.

レポート用紙を十枚ください。 ・Translation: Please give me ten sheets of report paper. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 枚 (まい, mai) to count sheets of report paper, a flat and thin object.

写真が何枚ありますか。 ・Translation: How many photos do you have? ・Explanation: This sentence uses 枚 (まい, mai) to count photos.

The kanji 枚 originally represents a piece or a sheet. It likely evolved to become a counter specifically for flat, thin objects over time.