四つ
Meanings
four; four things
The native Japanese numeral for counting four items, especially in the traditional hitotsu–tō counting system. Used for concrete objects, abstract items, and age (see sense 2).
Please give me four apples.
There are four buttons on this box.
four years old
Used for the age of four, especially for children. The reading よっつ is standard; よつ is archaic or poetic.
My daughter will be four this year.
ten o'clock (old time system)
In the traditional Japanese temporal hour system, 四つ corresponded roughly to the modern 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. This usage is now historical and rarely encountered outside period contexts.
In the Edo period, 四つ referred to around ten in the morning.
A derogatory term for burakumin, historically associated with the four-legged animal metaphor. This is a slur and should be avoided in modern speech; it is included here for recognition only.
See also: 部落民
"四つ" is a discriminatory term and must not be used.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉を四つに分けるto divide something into four parts
I cut the cake into four pieces.
- 四つになるto turn four years old
My son will turn four next month.
- 四つに組むto grapple in a cross-grip hold (in sumo)
The two sumo wrestlers grappled in a cross-grip hold.
- 〈物〉が四つあるthere are four (of something)
There are four oranges on the desk.