Table of Contents
Do you use yon or shi?
In case of ‘four’ there are two Chinese readings: yon and shi. Both of them are correct and most of the times either of them can be used in the same circumstances. When they count from one to ten they use ‘shi’ for four, and when they count backwards they use ‘yon’ for the same four.
How do you say 7 in Japanese?
Seven (7) is 七 (shichi, pronounced “shee-chee”). Because this has the same shi sound as in the number four, the alternate pronunciation nana is common. Eight (8) is 八 (hachi, pronounced “hah-chee”).
Is Nana 7 in Japanese?
Nana is one pronunciation for the number 7 in the Japanese language, and is the one more commonly used. In anime and manga, it’s sometimes used as a feminine name with possible double meaning.
Why are there two ways to say 4 and 7 in Japanese?
The simple reason is that some numbers are derived from the native Japanese pronunciation, known as kunyomi. What is this? The other numbers’ pronunciations are drawn from the imported, ancient Chinese readings of kanji, known as onyomi. In the old days, Japanese only had, one, maybe two, ways of saying each number.
Is seven Shichi or Nana?
Nana is the most common reading of 7, however shichi is often acceptable, for example when naming months.
How do you say your age in Japanese?
The counter sai is omitted despite being used in the written form. If you are 20 years old, you will say: Hatatchi desu (二十歳です。)…How to say age in Japanese.
| In Japanese | Pronunciation | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 一歳 | issai | 1 year old |
| 二歳 | ni-sai | 2 years old |
| 三歳 | san’-sai | 3 years old |
| 四歳 | yon’-sai | 4 years old |
How long is a Japanese phone number?
+81
Japan/Dialing codes
Where does Yon and Nana come from in Japanese?
In each case, the first pronunciation given is the on-yomi, or Chinese-derived pronunciation of the number. For 4 and 7, the pronunciations yon and nana both come from Old Japanese, rather than Chinese. Both kyuu and ku, however, are Chinese-derived readings.
When to use kunyomi or Yon in Japanese?
It is also used in months, like 四月 (shigatsu) and 七月 (shichigatsu) When you point out that you have 70 yen you say nana juu en. (In this case use kunyomi) Kunyomi is typically used in cases where you point out you have X of some item.
When do you use the on reading in Japanese?
Usually when a Kanji is “alone” you use the On reading, but in this case when counting, you don’t do that for 4 and 7. To quote this page here: In modern Japanese, the digits are given the On’yomi readings except 4 and 7, which are called yon and nana respectively. Alternate readings are used in month names, day-of-month names, and fixed phrases.
When to use よん or し in kanji?
When you are counting, the reading “よん” is more used, because, as you also reminded, “し” is too similar to “死” which means “death”. Usually when a Kanji is “alone” you use the On reading, but in this case when counting, you don’t do that for 4 and 7.