Translation guide
The number four in Japanese is most commonly expressed as 四 (し/よん). The choice between し and よん depends on context, with よん being more common in counting and everyday use due to し being a homophone for 'death'. This guide covers counting, age, time, and other uses.
Expressing the number four in counting, phone numbers, and general numeric contexts.
The most common reading for the number four in isolation or when counting. Used in phone numbers, addresses, and general counting to avoid the unlucky homophone し (death).
電話番号は〇九〇の一二三四の五六七八です。
My phone number is 090-1234-5678.
四つください。
Four, please.
Used in some fixed compounds, on'yomi counting (e.g., 四月), and formal contexts. Avoided in isolation due to association with death.
Avoid using し alone for the number four in everyday counting, as it sounds like 'death' and may be considered unlucky.
四月は新学期の始まりです。
April is the start of the new school year.
Saying someone is four years old.
Telling time: four o'clock.
Four o'clock. Note the reading よじ, not よんじ or しじ.
会議は四時からです。
The meeting is from four o'clock.
Referring to April.
April. The reading しがつ is fixed and standard.
四月に日本へ行きます。
I'm going to Japan in April.
Counting four of something using the generic counter つ.
The native Japanese counter for four items. Used for general objects when no specific counter is needed.
りんごを四つ買いました。
I bought four apples.
Counting four people.
Expressing 'the fourth' in a sequence.
Fourth in order. 四番 (number four) + 目 (ordinal suffix).
四番目の問題が難しいです。
The fourth question is difficult.
Formal or written ordinal, often used in titles or numbered lists.
第四回会議
the fourth meeting
Referring to the 4th day of the month.
The reading し for 四 is a homophone for 死 (death). In many contexts, よん is preferred to avoid this association. This is especially true in phone numbers, room numbers, and when counting aloud. However, し is still used in fixed compounds like 四月 (April) and in some idiomatic expressions.
When counting objects, use the appropriate counter word. The generic counter つ (四つ = よっつ) works for many items, but specific counters exist for people (四人 = よにん), flat objects (四枚 = よんまい), etc. Always learn the counter with the number.