1.
four
The number four. This reading (よん) is more commonly used in modern Japanese than し because し sounds like 死 (death). よん is generally preferred when counting and in most compound numbers.
Japanese has two main readings for four: よん and し.
Pronunciation
- よん: the most common reading, used in counting and in larger numbers (四十, 四百)
- よ: before some counters: 四人 (four people), 四時 (four o'clock), 四年 (four years)
- し: in set words such as 四月 (April), 四季 (the four seasons), 四角 (square), 四国 (Shikoku); avoided elsewhere because it sounds like 死 (death)
Counting patterns
Cultural note
The number four is considered unlucky (忌み数) in Japan due to the し/死 association. Some buildings skip the fourth floor, and sets of four are avoided as gifts.