1.
eighteen
The number eighteen. Formed by combining 十 (ten) and 八 (eight).
十八 is eighteen, formed from 十 (ten) + 八 (eight).
LEGAL SIGNIFICANCE:
- Voting age: 18 (changed from 20 in 2016)
- Drinking/smoking age: remains 20
- 成人 (legal adult): changed to 18 in 2022
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 十八歳: 18 years old
- 十八番/十八番: one's specialty (idiom)
- 十八日: the 18th day of the month
SPECIAL READING:
十八番 means "one's specialty" or "favorite trick," derived from kabuki tradition.