四

The kanji 四 represents the number “four” in Japanese. It’s particularly notable because it has two common readings: “shi” and “yon”. The “shi” reading is often avoided in certain contexts because it sounds similar to the word for death (死, shi), leading to the preference for “yon” in many situations.

Core Meanings and Usage

四 has some unique characteristics in usage:

• Basic number: “four” (四)
• In ordinals: “fourth” (第四)
• Two common readings: し (shi) and よん (yon)
• Used in expressions for square/rectangular shapes (四角)

Common Expressions and Phrases

Time and Calendar

四時 (よじ, yoji) - 4 o’clock 四分 (よんぷん, yonpun) - four minutes 四月 (しがつ, shigatsu) - April 四週間 (よんしゅうかん, yonshūkan) - four weeks

Everyday Use

四季 (しき, shiki) - four seasons 四角 (しかく, shikaku) - square, rectangle 四方 (よんぽう, yonpō) - all directions 四角い (しかくい, shikakui) - square-shaped

Special Readings

Some compounds have specific preferred readings:

1. Time and dates:

   • 四日 (よっか, yokka) - fourth day/four days
   • 四時半 (よじはん, yoji-han) - 4:30

2. Counting:

   • 四つ (よっつ, yottsu) - four things
   • 四人 (よにん, yonin) - four people (preferred over しにん)

Cultural Notes

The number 4 (四) is considered unlucky in Japanese culture due to its reading “shi” being homophonous with 死 (death). This leads to:

• Buildings often skipping the 4th floor or labeling it “F”
• Hospital rooms often avoiding the number 4
• The よん (yon) reading being preferred in many contexts
• Products sometimes avoiding being packaged in groups of four

Writing and Stroke Order

The stroke order for 四 is more complex than previous number kanji:

1. Horizontal line at the top
2. Vertical line on the left
3. Horizontal line in the middle
4. Short vertical line on the right
5. Bottom horizontal line closing the square

Kanji in Context

1. Academic Context:

   • 四年生 (よねんせい, yonensei) - fourth-year student
   • 四科目 (よんかもく, yonkamoku) - four subjects

2. Business Usage:

   • 四半期 (しはんき, shihanki) - quarter (of year)
   • 四社 (よんしゃ, yonsha) - four companies

3. Everyday Life:

   • 四日目 (よっかめ, yokkame) - fourth day
   • 四階 (よんかい, yonkai) - fourth floor (when used)