8 in Japanese = 八 (hachi / yattsu)

The number 8 in Japanese is 八 (hachi) pronounced "hah-chee" for counting/math, or やっつ (yattsu) pronounced "YAHT-tsoo" when counting objects. 8 is considered lucky in Japanese culture.

Quick Answer

Pronunciation

Hachi (はち):

• Two syllables: ha-chi
• "Hah-chee"
• Most common reading
• "Ha" like "ha ha", "chi" like "cheese"

Yattsu (やっつ):

• Two syllables: yat-tsu
• "YAHT-tsoo"
• Native Japanese counting
• Small っ indicates doubled "t"

Common mistakes:

• Pronouncing "ha" like English "hey" - it should be "hah"
• Not doubling the "t" in yattsu
• Making the vowels too long

Cultural Significance: The Lucky Number

Why 8 is lucky:

• The kanji 八 looks like an expanding shape (末広がり - suehirogari)
• Represents growth, prosperity, and increasing fortune
• The shape widens toward the bottom = expanding wealth/success
• Influenced by Chinese culture where 8 is also lucky

Real-world impact:

• Business: Companies like phone numbers and addresses with 8
• Dates: August 8 (8/8) is considered auspicious for events
• Prices: Some items priced at ¥888, ¥8888
• License plates: Numbers with multiple 8s are desirable
• Events: Weddings and business launches often on 8th

Practical Usage

Phone numbers:

• 8 = はち (hachi)
• Example: 088 = ゼロはちはち (zero hachi hachi)

Prices:

• ¥8 = 八円 (hachi en)
• ¥800 = 八百円 (happyaku en) - note sound change!
• ¥888 = 八百八十八円 (happyaku hachijū hachi en)

Times:

• 8:00 = 八時 (hachi-ji)
• 8:15 = 八時十五分 (hachi-ji jūgo fun)
• 8:30 = 八時半 (hachi-ji han)

Dates:

• 8th of month = 八日 (yōka) - special reading!
• August = 八月 (hachi-gatsu)

Counting objects:

• Eight items = 八つ (yattsu)
• Eight books = 八冊 (hassatsu) - sound change
• Eight people = 八人 (hachi nin)

The Kanji 八

Character: 八

• Two strokes
• Resembles an expanding shape
• Opens wider at bottom = 末広がり (suehirogari) = "expanding toward the end"

Stroke order:

1. Left diagonal stroke (top to bottom, outward)
2. Right diagonal stroke (top to bottom, outward)

Symbolism: The widening shape represents increasing prosperity and good fortune.

Special Readings

Yōka (ようか / 八日):

• The 8th day of the month
• Also means "eight days"
• Native Japanese reading

Happyaku (はっぴゃく / 八百):

• 800
• Note: The "h" in hyaku changes to "pp" after hachi
• 八 + 百 → 八百 (happyaku)
• Same pattern as 六百 (roppyaku) = 600

Hassatsu (はっさつ / 八冊):

• Eight books
• The "s" doubles: satsu → ssatsu
• Common sound change pattern

Common Phrases

八番 (hachiban): Number eight, eighth

八月 (hachi-gatsu): August

八人 (hachi nin): Eight people

八つ (yattsu): Eight (things)

八百屋 (yaoya): Vegetable shop, greengrocer (literally "800 shop")

八百長 (yaochō): Match-fixing, rigged game

八方美人 (happō bijin): Person who tries to please everyone

末広がり (suehirogari): Expanding toward the end (lucky shape of 八)

Lucky Number 8

Auspicious uses:

• August 8 (8/8) is especially lucky
• Business openings on the 8th
• Phone numbers with 8
• Address numbers with 8
• Prices ending in 8 or 88 or 888

Not as lucky as in Chinese culture: While 8 is lucky in Japan, it's not as intensely lucky as in Chinese culture. In Japan, it's more about the expanding shape symbolism.

Sound Changes

八 (hachi) causes various sound changes:

• 八百 (happyaku) = 800 - doubles "p"
• 八冊 (hassatsu) = 8 books - doubles "s"
• 八個 (hakko) = 8 items - doubles "k"

These are regular phonetic changes in Japanese (gemination).

Quick Takeaways

• 8 = 八 (hachi) or やっつ (yattsu)
• Pronounced "hah-chee" or "YAHT-tsoo"
• 8th of month = 八日 (yōka)
• 800 = 八百 (happyaku) with sound change
• Lucky number - expanding shape = prosperity
• 末広がり (suehirogari) symbolism
• August 8 (8/8) is especially auspicious
• Used in business for good fortune

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TravelNum shows you how numbers are pronounced in Japanese.