個数

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 個数 is read as こすう and is a noun for the number of individually countable items such as parts or plates.
• Basic usage: Counting box contents appears in 部品の個数, while the required amount appears in 必要な個数.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A count of separate items
  • It is used for objects that can be distinguished and counted one by one rather than a continuous amount such as weight.
• Difference from 数量
  • 数量 broadly denotes quantity, whereas 個数 specifically gives the count of separate objects.