八
JLPT N5
Eight
Readings
On’yomi: ハチ (hachi)
Kun’yomi: やっ(つ), よう (yat(tsu) , yō)
やっ(つ) – eight things
よう – eighth day (of the month)
Detailed Explanation
Vocabulary
八
はち
eight
八つ
やっつ
eight things
八人
はちにん
eight people
八日
ようか
eighth day
八回
はちかい
eight times
Example Sentences
八人います。
はちにん います。
There are eight people.
八日かかります。
ようか かかります。
It takes eight days.
八回見ました。
はちかい みました。
I watched it eight times.
Cultural Note
🌸 八 is an extremely lucky number in Japanese and Chinese culture.
1. Symbolism:
o The shape opens outward (八), representing expansion, growth, and prosperity.
o Hence, it’s often associated with wealth and success.
2. In daily life:
o Businesses love this number: you’ll often see 八 in names (like 八百屋, 八坂神社, etc.) for good fortune.
o In Japan, the G7 Summit held in 2000 was nicknamed “八サミット” (Hachi Summit) — symbolizing cooperation among eight nations (including Russia at the time).
3. In religion and tradition:
o 八百万の神（やおよろず の かみ） means “eight million gods” — not literally 8,000,000, but countless deities in Shinto belief.
o It represents abundance and infinity — eight = “a lot.”
1. Symbolism:
o The shape opens outward (八), representing expansion, growth, and prosperity.
o Hence, it’s often associated with wealth and success.
2. In daily life:
o Businesses love this number: you’ll often see 八 in names (like 八百屋, 八坂神社, etc.) for good fortune.
o In Japan, the G7 Summit held in 2000 was nicknamed “八サミット” (Hachi Summit) — symbolizing cooperation among eight nations (including Russia at the time).
3. In religion and tradition:
o 八百万の神（やおよろず の かみ） means “eight million gods” — not literally 8,000,000, but countless deities in Shinto belief.
o It represents abundance and infinity — eight = “a lot.”