Hello, I’m Kodak.
You learn that the Japanese word for four is yon.
Then a textbook, anime character, or dictionary suddenly calls it shi.
They both mean four, but they are not freely interchangeable in every expression.
四 (yon / shi) means “four.”
Yon is the safest reading for ordinary counting and most counters.
Shi survives in fixed words such as 四月 (shigatsu: April) and 四季 (shiki: the four seasons).
The reading shi sounds exactly like 死 (shi: death), which is why the number 4 can be considered unlucky in Japan.
This article explains:
② which reading Japanese learners should use
③ why shi can mean both “four” and “death”
④ why the number 4 is sometimes avoided in Japan
⑤ fixed expressions that still use shi
⑥ special readings such as yoji and yokka
⑦ natural examples and common beginner mistakes
How Do You Say 4 in Japanese: Yon or Shi?
The kanji for the number four is:
On-reading: し (shi)
Kun-readings: よ (yo), よつ (yotsu), よっつ (yottsu), よん (yon)
Meaning: four
For a beginner, the most useful rule is:
Then memorize the expressions that require shi, yo, or another special reading.
一、二、三、四、五
Ichi, ni, san, yon, go
One, two, three, four, five
It is simply less common as the default reading in modern everyday counting, while remaining necessary in many established words.
Yon vs Shi: What Is the Main Difference?
The two readings come from different reading systems.
The on’yomi, or Sino-Japanese reading associated with the historical Chinese pronunciation of the kanji.
よん (yon)
A kun’yomi, or native Japanese reading.
That historical distinction helps explain why shi often appears inside Sino-Japanese compounds, while yon is common when you directly count quantities.
Japanese number readings have many fixed forms. The safest method is to learn each common expression as a complete unit.
Yon ⇒ the practical everyday reading used for counting many people and objects
Shi ⇒ the Sino-Japanese reading preserved in established compounds and fixed expressions
Does Shi Mean Death in Japanese?
Yes—but context and kanji matter.
Reading: し (shi)
死 = death
Reading: し (shi)
The two kanji have completely different meanings, but their pronunciation is identical.
English speakers also understand homophones such as four and for without confusion. Japanese works in the same way.
the four seasons
⇒ 四 clearly means “four.”
死期 (shiki)
the time of one’s death
⇒ 死 clearly means “death.”
The pronunciation is the same, but the kanji and context are different.
The everyday verb “to die” is 死ぬ (shinu).
その魚は死んだ。
Sono sakana wa shinda.
That fish died.
The noun or kanji reading 死 (shi) appears especially in formal, literary, or compound vocabulary.
死ぬ (shinu) — to die
死亡 (shibō) — death; decease
死者 (shisha) — the dead; a deceased person
死後 (shigo) — after death
You will hear shi naturally in fixed expressions. The death association mainly explains why yon is preferred in many situations and why some people avoid the number 4 in sensitive contexts.
Why Is 4 Unlucky in Japan?
The number 4 can be considered unlucky because its reading shi is a homophone of 死 (shi: death).
sounds the same as
死 (shi: death)
⇒ The number may create an inauspicious association with death.
A word avoided because it brings to mind an unfortunate meaning is called an 忌み言葉 (imigoto), or “taboo/inauspicious word.”
The death association contributed to the increasing use of yon in many counting expressions. The National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics explains that forms such as 四人, 四匹, and 四本 shifted from older shi-based pronunciations toward yon-based forms partly to avoid this association.
四 ⇒ shi → yon
四匹 ⇒ shihiki → yonhiki
四本 ⇒ shihon → yonhon
The modern yon forms avoid the sound of 死 and are now the normal pronunciations.
Many people use the number 4 without concern, but the association is still recognizable and may influence choices in sensitive settings.
Where Might the Number 4 Be Avoided?
You may occasionally see 4 omitted from room numbers, especially in places where illness or death is a sensitive subject, such as medical facilities. Some hotels, apartments, and parking areas may also skip certain numbers containing 4.
Some facilities omit a room or number, while many others use 4 normally. The practice varies by building and organization.
Should You Avoid Giving Four Items as a Gift?
When giving a formal gift for a wedding, hospital visit, or other sensitive occasion, avoiding a set of exactly four items can be considerate because of the death association.
In casual everyday situations, however, four cookies or four pens are not automatically offensive.
The important lesson is cultural awareness, not fear. Be more careful when the event is formal or connected with health, mourning, or good-luck symbolism.
When Should You Use Yon?
Yon is the best default for direct counting and for many common counters.
14 — じゅうよん (jūyon)
40 — よんじゅう (yonjū)
44 — よんじゅうよん (yonjūyon)
400 — よんひゃく (yonhyaku)
4,000 — よんせん (yonsen)
Common Counters That Use Yon
四歳 (yonsai) — four years old
四年 (yonen) — four years
四回 (yonkai) — four times
四階 (yonkai) — fourth floor
四枚 (yonmai) — four flat objects
四個 (yonko) — four small objects
四本 (yonhon) — four long cylindrical objects
四匹 (yonhiki) — four small animals
四冊 (yonsatsu) — four bound volumes
家族は四人です。
Kazoku wa yonin desu.
There are four people in my family.
りんごを四個買いました。
Ringo o yonko kaimashita.
I bought four apples.
猫が四匹います。
Neko ga yonhiki imasu.
There are four cats.
The sound shinin can also represent 死人, meaning “a dead person,” so yonin avoids a particularly unfortunate ambiguity.
Learn more: Japanese Counters Explained
When Should You Use Shi?
Shi appears in fixed words and Sino-Japanese compounds. These are not normally changed to yon.
四季 (shiki) — the four seasons
四角 (shikaku) — square; quadrilateral
四国 (Shikoku) — Shikoku
四方 (shihō) — all directions; the four directions
四肢 (shishi) — the four limbs
四苦八苦 (shikuhakku) — struggling greatly; being in extreme difficulty
日本には四季があります。
Nihon ni wa shiki ga arimasu.
Japan has four seasons.
四月から日本語を勉強します。
Shigatsu kara Nihongo o benkyō shimasu.
I will study Japanese starting in April.
Using yongatsu would sound incorrect, not extra polite or lucky.
Important Special Readings: Yoji and Yokka
The choice is not always just yon or shi. Some common expressions use special native readings.
4 O’Clock Is Yoji
Meaning: four o’clock
Not: yonji
Not: shiji
四時に会いましょう。
Yoji ni aimashō.
Let’s meet at four o’clock.
The Fourth Day and Four Days Are Yokka
Meaning 1: the fourth day of the month
Meaning 2: a period of four days
四日に東京へ行きます。
Yokka ni Tōkyō e ikimasu.
I will go to Tokyo on the fourth.
四日間、日本にいました。
Yokkakan, Nihon ni imashita.
I was in Japan for four days.
Four General Objects Can Be Yottsu
Meaning: four things; four items
パンを四つください。
Pan o yottsu kudasai.
Four pieces of bread, please.
Learn more: Hitotsu, Futatsu, Mittsu—The Native Japanese Counting System
Yon vs Shi: Easy Reference Chart
4 — yon
14 — jūyon
40 — yonjū
four people — yonin
four years old — yonsai
four times — yonkai
four books — yonsatsu
four animals — yonhiki
Use shi in these fixed expressions
April — shigatsu
four seasons — shiki
square — shikaku
Shikoku — Shikoku
Use a special reading here
four o’clock — yoji
the fourth day / four days — yokka
four general objects — yottsu
① Count with yon.
② April is shigatsu.
③ Four o’clock is yoji.
④ The fourth day is yokka.
Those four rules cover many beginner situations.
Can Yon and Shi Ever Both Be Correct?
Sometimes both readings are possible, especially when reciting numbers or reading individual digits. However, one may sound more natural depending on context, speaker, rhythm, or the need to avoid confusion.
For example, the number 14 may be heard as either jūyon or jūshi, although jūyon is the safer everyday choice for learners.
Common and beginner-friendly reading of 14
じゅうし (jūshi)
Possible in some contexts, styles, or fixed expressions, but less useful as a default
Think of yon as the default, not a universal replacement.
Yon and Shi in Anime and Japanese Media
In anime, games, sports, and military-style countdowns, you may hear either yon or shi. A creator may choose a reading for rhythm, characterization, tradition, or dramatic effect.
San, ni, ichi!
Three, two, one!
一、二、三、四！
Ichi, ni, san, shi! or ichi, ni, san, yon!
One, two, three, four!
You may also see writers deliberately use the sound shi to create a dark association with death. This is a wordplay choice, not evidence that every use of 四 is ominous.
Japanese has many homophones, so not every occurrence of the sound shi is a deliberate reference to death.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistake 1: Saying Yongatsu for April
○ 四月 = shigatsu
Mistake 2: Saying Yonji for Four O’Clock
○ 四時 = yoji
Mistake 3: Saying Shinin for Four People
○ 四人 = yonin
Mistake 4: Believing Shi Always Means Death
The sound shi can represent many different kanji and words.
死 (shi) — death
市 (shi) — city
詩 (shi) — poem
氏 (shi) — family name; Mr./Ms. in formal writing
Mistake 5: Thinking Japanese People Never Use the Number 4
The number 4 is completely normal in mathematics, dates, addresses, prices, sports, and daily life. The superstition affects some choices, but it does not remove 4 from Japanese society.
Natural Example Sentences with Yon, Shi, Yoji, and Yokka
四人で旅行しました。
Yonin de ryokō shimashita.
The four of us traveled together.
このりんごは四個で五百円です。
Kono ringo wa yonko de gohyaku-en desu.
These apples are 500 yen for four.
犬を四匹飼っています。
Inu o yonhiki katte imasu.
I have four dogs.
その本を四回読みました。
Sono hon o yonkai yomimashita.
I read that book four times.
会議は四時に始まります。
Kaigi wa yoji ni hajimarimasu.
The meeting begins at four o’clock.
四月四日に日本へ来ました。
Shigatsu yokka ni Nihon e kimashita.
I came to Japan on April 4.
日本の四季が好きです。
Nihon no shiki ga suki desu.
I like Japan’s four seasons.
紙を四枚ください。
Kami o yonmai kudasai.
Please give me four sheets of paper.
パンを四つ買いました。
Pan o yottsu kaimashita.
I bought four pieces of bread.
十四番のバスに乗ってください。
Jūyon-ban no basu ni notte kudasai.
Please take bus number 14.
Mini Quiz: Yon, Shi, Yo, or Yokka?
A. shinin
B. yonin
2. 四月
A. yongatsu
B. shigatsu
3. 四時
A. yoji
B. yonji
4. 四日
A. shika
B. yokka
5. 四季
A. yonki
B. shiki
四人 = yonin
四月 = shigatsu
四時 = yoji
四日 = yokka
四季 = shiki
FAQ About Yon, Shi, and the Number 4 in Japan
What is the difference between yon and shi?
Both mean “four” and are readings of 四. Yon is the safer default for everyday counting and many counters. Shi appears in fixed words and Sino-Japanese compounds such as 四月 and 四季.
Why does Japanese have two words for four?
Japanese kanji commonly have both Sino-Japanese readings and native Japanese readings. Shi is the on-reading of 四, while yon belongs to its native Japanese reading family.
Does shi mean death?
死 (shi) means “death,” while 四 (shi) means “four.” They are homophones: words with the same pronunciation but different meanings and kanji.
Why is 4 unlucky in Japan?
One reading of four, shi, sounds exactly like 死 (death). This creates an inauspicious association, especially in contexts involving health, mourning, gifts, or room numbering.
Do Japanese people always avoid the number 4?
No. Four is used normally throughout daily life. Some people or organizations avoid it in selected sensitive contexts, but the practice is not universal.
Should beginners use yon or shi?
Use yon as your default. Then memorize fixed exceptions such as shigatsu for April, yoji for four o’clock, and yokka for the fourth day or four days.
Is four people yonin or shinin?
Four people is 四人 (yonin). Do not read it as shinin.
Is April yongatsu or shigatsu?
April is 四月 (shigatsu). Yongatsu is incorrect.
Is four o’clock yonji or yoji?
Four o’clock is 四時 (yoji). Yonji and shiji are not the standard readings.
How do you say April 4 in Japanese?
April 4 is 四月四日 (shigatsu yokka).
Summary: When to Use Yon and Shi
The two best-known readings are yon and shi.
● Use yon as your beginner default
Examples: yonin, yonkai, yonmai, yonhon, yonhiki, yonjū.
● Shi appears in fixed words
Examples: shigatsu, shiki, shikaku, Shikoku.
● Shi can also mean death
四 (four) and 死 (death) are pronounced the same but written with different kanji.
● This explains the unlucky association
The homophone can make 4 feel inauspicious in some sensitive cultural contexts.
● Memorize the major special readings
四時 = yoji
四日 = yokka
四つ = yottsu
Remember yon as the default, learn the common fixed forms, and understand the shi／死 wordplay as useful cultural background.
Next: Learn How to Count in Japanese
References
- Kanjipedia: 四 — readings and meanings of the kanji 四.
- Kanjipedia: 死 — readings and meanings of the kanji 死.
- National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics: Why 匹 Has the Readings Hiki, Biki, and Piki — historical explanation of shi changing to yon in expressions such as 四匹 and 四本.
- Nippon.com: Mystical Impressions—Views of Luck in Japan and Abroad — discussion of 4, 9, homophones, and number avoidance.