七しち

also: なな

し

ち

Common wordJLPTN5Freq.FrequencyTop 2,000

Meanings

1

numeric

The numeral seven. The reading しち is standard, but なな is often used in counting to avoid confusion with 一 (いち) and 四 (し). The kanji 漆 is used in legal documents to prevent alteration.

七しち人にんの侍さむらい。
Seven samurai.
時計とけいは七しち時じを指さしている。
The clock is pointing to seven o'clock.

七ななつ数かぞえてください。

Please count to seven.

Written forms

七Usage25%
- しち
  Standard kanji form for the numeral seven. The reading しち is the most common on'yomi.
- なな
  Common reading, especially in counting and when avoiding confusion with 一 (いち) or 四 (し).
７Usage75%
- しち
  Arabic numeral form, common in horizontal writing and numerical contexts.
- なな
ななUsage<1%
ナナUsage<1%
シチUsage0%
ヒチUsage0%
漆
rarely-used kanji form
- しち
  Rarely used kanji form, mainly seen in legal documents to prevent forgery.
- なな

Kanji

七seven
漆lacquer, varnish, seven

Similar words

一いち
One; often confused with 七 when spoken quickly due to similar sounds (いち vs しち).
四し
Four; the reading し can be confused with 七's reading しち, so なな is often preferred for seven in counting.

Etymology

The kanji 七 is a pictograph originally representing a cutting or dividing action, later borrowed to represent the number seven. The reading しち comes from Middle Chinese, while なな is the native Japanese reading.