Translation guide
The number seven in Japanese is 七 (しち / なな). The choice between しち and なな depends on context, counting style, and avoidance of unlucky associations.
Express the number seven in isolation, in phone numbers, or when counting objects with the generic counter ～つ.
The most common way to say 'seven' in isolation or when counting. Both しち and なな are used, but なな is often preferred in phone numbers and when clarity is needed.
七です。
It's seven.
電話番号は〇九〇の七…
The phone number is 090-7...
Count small objects, abstract things, or when the specific counter is unknown, using the native Japanese counter ～つ.
Specify seven people.
Say someone is seven years old.
Indicate the seventh item in a sequence.
Means 'seventh' in a numbered list or order. 七番 alone can also mean 'number seven'.
七番目の駅で降ります。
I get off at the seventh station.
Tell the time as seven o'clock.
The standard way to say seven o'clock. Always read as しちじ; ななじ is not used.
Refer to July or the seventh day of the month.
Understand common expressions involving seven.
Both しち and なな mean seven, but they are not always interchangeable. しち is used in fixed compounds like 七月 (しちがつ, July) and 七時 (しちじ, seven o'clock). なな is preferred in phone numbers, ages, and when counting aloud to avoid confusion with 一 (いち, one). In many counters, both readings are possible, but one may be more common.
When saying someone is seven years old, always use ななさい (七歳). しちさい sounds unnatural and is not used.
The native Japanese way to count seven items. Used for general counting, especially with children or in everyday situations.
りんごを七つください。
Please give me seven apples.
七つあります。
There are seven.
Formal or written ordinal, often used in titles, chapter numbers, or formal contexts.
第七章を読んでください。
Please read Chapter Seven.
七時に起きます。
I wake up at seven o'clock.
July. Read as しちがつ; なながつ is not used.
七月は暑いです。
July is hot.
The seventh day of the month. Read irregularly as なのか.
七日は休みです。
The seventh is a day off.
A traditional festival for children aged three, five, and seven. Read as しちごさん.
七五三のお祝いをします。
We celebrate Shichi-Go-San.
Proverb meaning 'fall seven times, get up eight' – perseverance. Read as ななころびやおき.
人生は七転び八起きだ。
Life is full of ups and downs.