5 in Japanese = 五 (go / itsutsu)

The number 5 in Japanese is 五 (go) pronounced "goh" for counting/math, or いつつ (itsutsu) pronounced "ee-TSOO-tsoo" when counting objects.

Quick Answer

Pronunciation

Go (ご):

• One syllable: go
• "Goh" (like "go" but with longer "o")
• Most common reading
• Hard "g" sound (not soft like "gee")

Itsutsu (いつつ):

• Three syllables: i-tsu-tsu
• "ee-TSOO-tsoo"
• Native Japanese counting
• Small つ indicates the doubled "ts" sound

Common mistakes:

• Pronouncing go like English "go" with a diphthong - keep the "o" pure
• Not doubling the "tsu" in itsutsu
• Using a soft "g" sound instead of hard "g"

Practical Usage

Phone numbers:

• 5 = ご (go)
• Example: 055 = ゼロごご (zero go go)

Prices:

• ¥5 = 五円 (go en)
• ¥500 = 五百円 (gohyaku en)
• ¥5000 = 五千円 (go sen en)

Times:

• 5:00 = 五時 (go-ji)
• 5:15 = 五時十五分 (go-ji jūgo fun)
• 5:30 = 五時半 (go-ji han)

Dates:

• 5th of month = 五日 (itsuka) - special reading!
• May = 五月 (go-gatsu)

Counting objects:

• Five items = 五つ (itsutsu)
• Five books = 五冊 (go satsu)
• Five people = 五人 (go nin)

The Kanji 五

Character: 五

• Four strokes
• Resembles the shape of "5" rotated
• Simple to write

Stroke order:

1. Top horizontal stroke
2. Vertical stroke down
3. Short diagonal
4. Bottom horizontal stroke

Special Readings

Itsuka (いつか / 五日):

• The 5th day of the month
• Also means "five days"
• Native Japanese reading

Gohyaku (ごひゃく / 五百):

• 500
• Note: The "h" in hyaku changes to "b" after go
• Sound change (rendaku)

Common Phrases

五番 (goban): Number five, fifth

五月 (go-gatsu): May

五人 (go nin): Five people

五つ (itsutsu): Five (things)

五分五分 (gobu gobu): 50-50, even odds

五感 (gokan): Five senses

五輪 (gorin): Olympics (five rings)

五月晴れ (satsuki-bare): Clear May weather

Cultural Notes

Unlike 4, the number 5 has no negative superstitious associations in Japanese culture. It's considered neutral or even slightly positive.

五節句 (go sekku): The five seasonal festivals in traditional Japanese calendar.

Grammar Notes

Counters:

• Five items: 五つ (itsutsu) or 五個 (go ko)
• Five people: 五人 (go nin)
• Five books: 五冊 (go satsu)
• Five sheets: 五枚 (go mai)

Sound changes:

• 五 + 百 (hyaku) → 五百 (gohyaku) - "h" becomes "b"
• This is a regular sound change pattern in Japanese

Quick Takeaways

• 5 = 五 (go) or いつつ (itsutsu)
• Pronounced "goh" or "ee-TSOO-tsoo"
• 5th of month = 五日 (itsuka)
• 500 = 五百 (gohyaku) with sound change
• No unlucky associations
• Hard "g" sound, not soft
• Used in 五輪 (gorin) = Olympics

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TravelNum shows you how numbers are pronounced in Japanese.