Japanese · Numbers & Time
四
shi / yon
Four
Beginnernumeral
Definition
The number four. It has two readings: し (shi) and よん (yon). し is avoided in some contexts as it sounds like 死 (death).
Example
四月は春です。
April (the fourth month) is spring.
Etymology
'四' (shi / yon) comes from the ancient Chinese character for four, with multiple pronunciations in Japanese for nuanced usage. 'Shi' can carry connotations of death, leading to a preference for 'yon' in some contexts.
How & Where It’s Used
'四' (shi/yon) is used widely in both spoken and written forms in formal and informal contexts alike. Culturally, '四' is sometimes avoided in auspicious settings due to its negative connotations.