(じゅうはち)

じゅうはち
number
eighteen
1. eighteen
The number eighteen. Formed by combining (じゅう) (ten) and (はち) (eight).
In Japan, you become an adult at eighteen years old.
Please choose number eighteen.
The room is eighteen tatami mats in size.
My birthday is on the eighteenth.
My son will turn eighteen next year, so he'll be an adult.

十八(じゅうはち) is eighteen, formed from (じゅう) (ten) + (はち) (eight).

LEGAL SIGNIFICANCE:

  • Voting age: 18 (changed from 20 in 2016)
  • Drinking/smoking age: remains 20
  • 成人(せいじん) (legal adult): changed to 18 in 2022

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 十八歳(じゅうはっさい): 18 years old
  • 十八番(じゅうはちばん)/十八番(おはこ): one's specialty (idiom)
  • 十八日(じゅうはちにち): the 18th day of the month

SPECIAL READING:
十八番(おはこ) means "one's specialty" or "favorite trick," derived from kabuki tradition.