Learning Japanese suuji (すうじ) or numerals can be confusing and daunting at the same time.  In particular, the number four can pose some tricky problems.  Do not fear, I’m here to save the day!  Aren’t you glad I’m here!  Haha, just kidding.  Let’s go on with our discussion of numbers.

For starters, the numeral four can be pronounced in three different ways.  It can be pronounced as yon (よん), shi (し) and yo (よ). 

When you want to say four o’clock in Japanese, you have to use yo (よ).  Next, add the counter or word for o’clock to the number four, and you have the word for four o’clock.  Altogether it’s going to sound something like this: yoji (よじ).

Let’s say you want to say four minutes in Japanese.  Unfortunately you can’t use yo (よ) to designate the four in four minutes.  You have to use yon (よん).  Add the counter for minutes, and you get yonpun (よんぷん). 

If you want to say April (as in the month) in Japanese, you can’t use yo (よ) or yon (よん).  You gotta use shi (し).  The months are named after the ordinal numbers in Japanese.  Since April is the fourth month out of the year, it’s going to be named after the numeral four.  Add the counter for month gatsu (がつ) to the shi (し) and you get shigatsu (しがつ).

The number four is really an interesting number.  It’s also a source of superstition for the Japanese people.  The word ‘death’ is actually pronounced as shi (し).  In some hospitals, the entire fourth floor is omitted.  In some elevators as well, the fourth floor is omitted; with the fifth floor following the third floor.  Since the number four reminds people of the word ‘death,’ Japanese people feel that the number four may bring bad luck.  If you’re planning on giving gifts this holiday season, try to avoid giving a gift in fours.  I’m actually planning on attending a wedding this year and giving a set of dishes as a present.  Instead of giving the dishes in a set of four, I’m going to present it in a set of five.  A set of three would also work as well, just as long as it’s not four.

Ok, well that’s it for today.  Expect more posts in the future!