八(はち)

はち
number
eight
1. eight
The number eight. Considered a lucky number in Japanese culture because the kanji 八(はち) widens at the bottom, symbolizing growing prosperity. Consistent in most counter combinations.
八(はち)時(じ)から仕事(しごと)です。
Work starts at eight o'clock.
たこには足(あし)が八(はち)本(ほん)あります。
An octopus has eight legs.
Note: はち + ほん = はっぽん
八(はち)月(がつ)は暑(あつ)いです。
August is hot.
この店(みせ)は朝(あさ)八(はち)時(じ)から夜(よる)八(はち)時(じ)まで開(あ)いていますから、便利(べんり)です。
This store is open from 8 AM to 8 PM, so it's convenient.
八(はち)月(がつ)は日本(にほん)で一(いち)番(ばん)暑(あつ)い月(つき)なので、多(おお)くの人(ひと)が夏休(なつやす)みを使(つか)って海(うみ)や山(やま)に遊(あそ)びに行(い)きます。
August is the hottest month in Japan, so many people use their summer vacation to go to the beach or mountains.

八(はち) is the number eight. The native Japanese counting word is 八(やっ)つ (yattsu).

SOUND CHANGES:

With counters starting with h-sounds, はち becomes はっ:

  • 八(はっ)本(ぽん) (happon): eight long objects
  • 八(はっ)百(ぴゃく) (happyaku): 800
  • 八(はっ)匹(ぴき) (happiki): eight animals

NO CHANGE:

  • 八(はち)時(じ) (hachiji): eight o'clock
  • 八(はち)人(にん) (hachinin): eight people
  • 八(はち)月(がつ) (hachigatsu): August

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Eight is very auspicious in Japan - the kanji 八(はち) widens at the bottom, symbolizing growing prosperity (末広(すえひろ)がり).

basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:22 · Revised 2026.2.13 21:00
00500/00698_hachi