ε
JLPT N5
Four
Readings
Onβyomi: γ· (shi)
Kunβyomi: γ, γγ, γγ£(γ€) (yo, yon, yot(tsu))
Detailed Explanation
Vocabulary
ε
γγ
four
εγ€
γγ£γ€
four things
εδΊΊ
γγ«γ
four people
εζ₯
γγ£γ
fourth day
εε
γγγγ
four times
Example Sentences
εδΊΊγγΎγγ
γγ«γ γγΎγγ
There are four people.
εζ₯γγγγΎγγ
γγ£γ γγγγΎγγ
It takes four days.
εεθ¦γΎγγγ
γγγγ γΏγΎγγγ
I watched it four times.
Cultural Note
π―π΅ ε (shi) carries strong cultural symbolism β both positive and negative β in Japan.
1. Unlucky Number (βShiβ = Death):
o The on-yomi γ· (shi) sounds like ζ» (death). ε is often avoided in some contexts because it sounds like death (ζ»).
o Because of this, ε is often avoided in room numbers, hospital floors, or gift sets (you wonβt find β4th floorβ in some hospitals or hotels).
o Similar to how β13β is unlucky in the West.
2. Alternative Pronunciation βYonβ:
o To avoid bad luck, people use γγ (yon) instead of γ (shi) when speaking casually.
o Example: γγγ (4 oβclock), γγγ«γ (4 people).
3. Positive Symbolism:
o Despite superstition, βfourβ also represents stability and structure, as in the four seasons (ζ₯γ»ε€γ»η§γ»ε¬), four directions (ζ±γ»θ₯Ώγ»εγ»ε), and four elements in old Chinese philosophy.
o It symbolizes completeness and balance β like the four corners of the world.
1. Unlucky Number (βShiβ = Death):
o The on-yomi γ· (shi) sounds like ζ» (death). ε is often avoided in some contexts because it sounds like death (ζ»).
o Because of this, ε is often avoided in room numbers, hospital floors, or gift sets (you wonβt find β4th floorβ in some hospitals or hotels).
o Similar to how β13β is unlucky in the West.
2. Alternative Pronunciation βYonβ:
o To avoid bad luck, people use γγ (yon) instead of γ (shi) when speaking casually.
o Example: γγγ (4 oβclock), γγγ«γ (4 people).
3. Positive Symbolism:
o Despite superstition, βfourβ also represents stability and structure, as in the four seasons (ζ₯γ»ε€γ»η§γ»ε¬), four directions (ζ±γ»θ₯Ώγ»εγ»ε), and four elements in old Chinese philosophy.
o It symbolizes completeness and balance β like the four corners of the world.