四 Kanji: Meaning, Readings and Stroke Order

四: four; fourth. JLPT N5; 5 strokes.

Readings

On readings

シ

Kun readings

よ-、よ.つ、よっ.つ、よん

Romaji

shi, yo, yon

Study notes

四 is the number four; it also indicates 'fourth'.

On reading: シ in 四月 (しがつ, April), 四季 (しき, the four seasons), 四角 (しかく, square), 四国 (しこく, Shikoku island).

Kun readings: よん is the most used reading in counting and with many counters: 四本 (よんほん), 四百 (よんひゃく). よ in 四人 (よにん, four people), 四時 (よじ, the four), 四年 (よねん, four years). よっ in 四つ (よっつ, four objects) and 四日 (よっか, the 4th of the month).

Remember: シ is pronounced like 死 (し, death); for this reason in counting よん is preferred and the number 4 is sometimes avoided, for example in room numbering.

Example words

• 四つ (よっつ) — four things
• 四月 (しがつ) — April
• 四個 (よんこ) — four objects

Example sentences

四人家族です。

yonin kazoku desu.

We are a family of four.

Stroke order

Follow the steps in order. Each new stroke is highlighted.

Stroke paths: KanjiVG, CC BY-SA 3.0. Sequential diagrams derived from the original paths.