4 in Japanese = 四 (shi / yon / yottsu)

The number 4 in Japanese has THREE readings: 四 (shi) pronounced "shee", よん (yon) pronounced "yohn", or よっつ (yottsu) pronounced "YOHT-tsoo". Yon is preferred because shi sounds like "death".

Quick Answer

Pronunciation

Shi (し):

• One syllable: shi
• "Shee" (like "she")
• Sounds like 死 (shi) = death
• Avoided in many contexts

Yon (よん):

• One syllable: yon
• "Yohn" (rhymes with "gone")
• Most common reading
• Preferred to avoid unlucky association

Yottsu (よっつ):

• Two syllables: yot-tsu
• "YOHT-tsoo"
• Native Japanese counting

Cultural Significance: The Unlucky Number

Why 4 is unlucky:

• 四 (shi) sounds identical to 死 (shi) = death
• This phonetic similarity makes 4 deeply unlucky in Japanese culture
• Similar to Chinese tetraphobia

Real-world impact:

• Buildings: Many buildings skip 4th floor, room number 4
• Hospitals: Especially avoid 4 - no 4th floor, no room 4
• Gifts: NEVER give sets of 4 items
• Phone numbers: People avoid numbers with 4
• License plates: Some avoid 4
• Hotel rooms: Often skip room 4, 14, 24, 40-49

Using yon instead: To avoid the death association, よん (yon) is heavily preferred:

• Time: 四時 is read as よじ (yo-ji), not し時
• Phone numbers: Use よん (yon), not し
• Counting: よん (yon) is much more common

When to Use Each Reading

Use よん (yon):

• Most situations - it's the safest choice
• Phone numbers: 4 = よん
• General counting: 1, 2, 3, 4 = いち、に、さん、よん
• Telling time: 4:00 = 四時 (yo-ji) - using yon reading

Use し (shi):

• Traditional contexts
• Some compound numbers: 四十 (shi-jū) = 40
• Some counter combinations
• Generally less common due to superstition

Use よっつ (yottsu):

• Counting objects (1-10): "four things"
• Native Japanese context

Practical Usage

Phone numbers:

• 4 = よん (yon) - NEVER し
• Example: 044 = ゼロよんよん (zero yon yon)

Prices:

• ¥4 = 四円 (yon en)
• ¥400 = 四百円 (yonhyaku en)

Times:

• 4:00 = 四時 (yo-ji) - special reading
• 4:15 = 四時十五分 (yo-ji jūgo fun)
• 4:30 = 四時半 (yo-ji han)

Dates:

• 4th of month = 四日 (yokka) - special reading!
• April = 四月 (shi-gatsu) - uses shi reading

Counting objects:

• Four items = 四つ (yottsu)
• Four books = 四冊 (yon satsu)
• Four people = 四人 (yo nin) - special reading

The Kanji 四

Character: 四

• Five strokes
• Box-like shape
• Not visually related to the number 4

Special Readings

Yokka (よっか / 四日):

• The 4th day of the month
• Also means "four days"
• Uses native Japanese reading

Yo-ji (よじ / 四時):

• 4 o'clock
• Uses abbreviated yon reading

Yo-nin (よにん / 四人):

• Four people
• Special counter reading

Common Phrases

四番 (yonban): Number four, fourth

四季 (shiki): Four seasons

四角 (shikaku): Square (four corners) - uses shi

四つ角 (yotsu kado): Four-way intersection

四月 (shi-gatsu): April - uses shi reading

Gift-Giving Warning

Never give:

• Sets of 4 items (4 plates, 4 cups, etc.)
• Gifts wrapped in sets of 4
• Money in amounts of ¥4000, ¥40,000

Why: It's considered extremely rude and unlucky, as it's associated with wishing death upon someone.

Quick Takeaways

• 4 = 四 (shi/yon) or よっつ (yottsu)
• よん (yon) is preferred - し (shi) sounds like "death"
• 4 is unlucky in Japanese culture
• Buildings often skip 4th floor
• NEVER give gifts in sets of 4
• 4th of month = 四日 (yokka)
• 4 o'clock = 四時 (yo-ji)
• Use よん in phone numbers, not し

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TravelNum shows you how numbers are pronounced in Japanese.