9 in Japanese = 九 (ku / kyū / kokonotsu)

The number 9 in Japanese has THREE readings: 九 (ku) pronounced "koo", きゅう (kyū) pronounced "kyoo", or ここのつ (kokonotsu) pronounced "koh-koh-NOH-tsoo". Kyū is preferred because ku sounds like "suffering".

Quick Answer

Pronunciation

Ku (く):

• One syllable: ku
• "Koo" (short vowel)
• Sounds like 苦 (ku) = suffering
• Often avoided due to unlucky association

Kyū (きゅう):

• One syllable: kyū
• "Kyoo" (with slight "y" sound: "ky-oo")
• Most common reading
• Preferred to avoid unlucky association
• The "ū" indicates a long vowel

Kokonotsu (ここのつ):

• Four syllables: ko-ko-no-tsu
• "koh-koh-NOH-tsoo"
• Native Japanese counting
• Used for counting objects

Common mistakes:

• Pronouncing kyū as two syllables "ki-yu" - it's one syllable with palatalized "k"
• Not making the "ū" in kyū long enough
• Using く (ku) when きゅう (kyū) would be clearer

Cultural Note: Semi-Unlucky Number

Why 9 can be unlucky:

• 九 (ku) sounds like 苦 (ku) = suffering, pain, hardship
• Less severely unlucky than 4 (death), but still avoided in some contexts
• This phonetic similarity creates mild negative associations

Real-world impact:

• Some hospitals avoid room 9
• Gift sets of 9 may be avoided
• Some people prefer using きゅう (kyū) over く (ku)
• Less strict than avoidance of 4

Using kyū instead: To avoid the suffering association, きゅう (kyū) is often preferred:

• Phone numbers: Use きゅう (kyū)
• Counting: きゅう is more common
• General speech: きゅう feels more neutral

When to Use Each Reading

Use きゅう (kyū) - MOST COMMON:

• Phone numbers: 9 = きゅう
• Most everyday situations
• Safer choice to avoid unlucky association
• Time: 九時 (ku-ji) often read as きゅうじ (kyū-ji)

Use く (ku):

• Some compound numbers: 九十 (kyū-jū) = 90
• September: 九月 (ku-gatsu) traditionally uses ku
• Some formal contexts

Use ここのつ (kokonotsu):

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

Practical Usage

Phone numbers:

• 9 = きゅう (kyū) - preferred
• Example: 099 = ゼロきゅうきゅう (zero kyū kyū)
• Clearer and avoids unlucky association

Prices:

• ¥9 = 九円 (kyū en)
• ¥900 = 九百円 (kyūhyaku en)

Times:

• 9:00 = 九時 (ku-ji / kyū-ji) - both used
• 9:15 = 九時十五分 (ku-ji jūgo fun)
• 9:30 = 九時半 (ku-ji han)

Dates:

• 9th of month = 九日 (kokonoka) - special reading!
• September = 九月 (ku-gatsu) - traditionally uses ku

Counting objects:

• Nine items = 九つ (kokonotsu)
• Nine books = 九冊 (kyū satsu)
• Nine people = 九人 (kyū nin)

The Kanji 九

Character: 九

• Two strokes
• Resembles a bent elbow or hook
• Can look like a stylized "9"

Stroke order:

1. Horizontal stroke with hook
2. Diagonal stroke

Special Readings

Kokonoka (ここのか / 九日):

• The 9th day of the month
• Also means "nine days"
• Native Japanese reading
• Long, distinctive reading

Kyūjū (きゅうじゅう / 九十):

• 90
• Uses kyū reading

Common Phrases

九番 (kyū-ban): Number nine, ninth

九月 (ku-gatsu): September - uses ku reading

九人 (kyū nin): Nine people

九つ (kokonotsu): Nine (things)

九州 (Kyūshū): Kyushu (southernmost main island of Japan)

九死に一生 (kyūshi ni isshō): Narrow escape (literally "nine deaths, one life")

九官鳥 (kyūkanchō): Mynah bird

Emergency Number 119

119 (ひゃくじゅうきゅう / hyaku jū kyū):

• Fire and ambulance emergency number in Japan
• Uses きゅう (kyū) for clarity
• NEVER uses く (ku) for the 9

Quick Takeaways

• 9 = 九 (ku/kyū) or ここのつ (kokonotsu)
• きゅう (kyū) is preferred - く (ku) sounds like "suffering"
• 9th of month = 九日 (kokonoka)
• September = 九月 (ku-gatsu)
• Mildly unlucky due to く (ku) = 苦 (suffering)
• Less severe than 4's unlucky association
• Phone numbers: Use きゅう, not く
• Emergency 119 uses きゅう
• Kyū is one syllable with long "oo" sound

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TravelNum shows you how numbers are pronounced in Japanese.