Translation and Meaning of: 四 - shi

The Japanese word 四 [し] is one of the most fundamental terms for anyone learning the language. Representing the number "four," it appears in various everyday contexts, from counting to idiomatic expressions. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and practical uses, as well as curiosities that make this word unique in the Japanese language. If you've ever wondered how to memorize it or why it is written this way, keep reading to find out!

Meaning and Origin of 四[し]

The kanji 四 means "four" and is one of the first numeric words that Japanese students learn. Its most common reading is "shi," but it can also be read as "yon" in certain contexts. The origin of this character dates back to ancient China, where its initial drawing represented four horizontal lines, simplifying over time to its current form.

Interestingly, the number four carries a negative connotation in some Asian cultures due to its similar pronunciation to the word "death" (死). In Japan, this makes "yon" preferable in everyday situations, such as in phone numbers or floors of buildings, to avoid any unwanted associations.

Practical Use and Cultural Contexts

In everyday life, 四[し] appears in various situations, from counting objects to dates and times. For example, "shigatsu" (四月) means "April," the fourth month of the year. In combination with other kanji, it forms words like "shihai" (支配), which means "dominion" or "control."

It is worth noting that although "shi" is technically correct, many Japanese people choose "yon" to avoid ambiguities. This is especially common in hospitals and hotels, where the superstition surrounding the number four still persists. This cultural detail is essential for anyone who wants to speak Japanese in a natural and respectful way.

Tips for Memorizing and Learning

An effective way to remember 四[し] is to visually associate it with its meaning. The kanji looks like a window with four quadrants, which can aid in memorization. Another tip is to practice writing it along with other basic numbers, such as 一 (one), 二 (two), and 三 (three), to create a logical sequence.

To avoid confusion between "shi" and "yon," remember that "yon" is safer in informal conversations. Writing down example sentences, such as "yon-ji" (四時, four o'clock) or "yon-nin" (四人, four people), also reinforces learning. The Suki Nihongo dictionary offers additional resources for those looking to delve deeper into these details.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• し (shi) - Four (used in counting)
• よん (yon) - Four (used in counting, especially in numbers)
• よ (yo) - Colloquial and informal way to express 4 in certain counts (less common)

四

Romaji: shi
Kana: し
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3, jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: (num) quatro

Meaning in English: (num) four

Definition: mais tarde

Example Sentences - (四) shi

See below some example sentences:

四角い部屋は広々としている。

Yonkaku i heya wa hirobiro to shite iru

A room with four corners is spacious.

The square room is spacious.

• 四角い - It means "square" or "rectangular".
• 部屋 - means "room".
• は - partopic marker indicating that the subject of the sentence is "quarto quadrado".
• 広々 - It means "spacious" or "wide".
• と - Subtitle indicating that "spacious" is a characteristic of the quarto.
• している - Present form of the verb "する" indicating an ongoing action. In this case, "being" or "getting".

温帯は四季がある地域です。

Ondai wa shiki ga aru chiiki desu

The temperate region has four seasons.

The temperature zone is an area with the four seasons.

• 温帯 - temperate region
• 四季 - The four stations
• が - particle that indicates subject
• ある - verb "to exist"
• 地域 - área, região
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

正方形は四辺が等しい四角形です。

Seikaku wa shihen ga hitoshii shikakkei desu

A square is a quadrilateral with four equal sides.

The square is a square with four equal sides.

• 正方形 - It means "square" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese.
• 四辺 - It means "four sides" in Japanese.
• が - subject particle in Japanese.
• 等しい - It means "equal" in Japanese.
• 四角形 - means "quadrilateral" in Japanese.
• です - The verb "to be" in Japanese in the polite form.

四季の移り変わりが美しい。

Shiki no utsuri kawari ga utsukushii

The change of the four seasons is beautiful.

The change of the four seasons is beautiful.

• 四季 (しき) - this word means "seasons of the year".
• の - this is a particle that indicates possession or relation between words.
• 移り変わり (うつりかわり) - this word means "change, alternation, transition".
• が - this is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 美しい (うつくしい) - this word means "pretty, beautiful, charming."

その箱は四角いです。

sono hako wa shikakui desu

This box is square.

The box is square.

• その - demonstrative pronoun meaning "that"
• 箱 - noun that means "box"
• は - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "that box"
• 四角い - adjective meaning "square"
• です - verb to be in the polite form

四つ角は直角を持つ角です。

Yottsumi kado wa chokkaku o motsu kado desu

A square has right angles.

The four horns are a corner with a right angle.

• 四つ角 (yotsu kado) - It means "four corners" or "four angles".
• は (wa) - Grammatical particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "quatro cantos".
• 直角 (chokkaku) - It means "right angle".
• を (wo) - Direct object pronoun that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "right angle".
• 持つ (motsu) - Verb that means "to have" or "to possess".
• 角 (kado) - It means "angle".
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form.

四つの葉があるクローバーは幸運をもたらすと言われています。

Yottsu no ha ga aru kurōbā wa kōun o motarasu to iwarete imasu

Clover with four leaves is said to bring good luck.

• 四つの葉があるクローバー - a four-leaf clover
• は - Topic particle
• 幸運をもたらす - bring luck
• と - Quote particle
• 言われています - it is said

四日間休みが欲しいです。

Yokka kan yasumi ga hoshii desu

I want four days off.

I want a four-day break.

• 四日間 - "四日" em japonês.
• 休み - It means "rest" or "day off" in Japanese.
• が - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 欲しい - Japanese verb that means "to want" or "to desire".
• です - The polite and respectful form of the verb "to be" in Japanese is "です" (desu).

掛け算は算数の基本的な四則演算の一つです。

Kakezan wa sansū no kihonteki na shisoku enzan no hitotsu desu

Calculus is one of the four basic arithmetic operations of arithmetic.

• 掛け算 - multiplication
• は - Topic particle
• 算数 - arithmetic
• の - Possession particle
• 基本的 - basic
• な - adjectival suffix
• 四則演算 - basic arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)
• の - Possession particle
• 一つ - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

日本の領土は四つの主要な島と多くの小さな島々から成り立っています。

Nihon no ryōdo wa yottsu no shuyōna shima to ōku no chīsana shimatō kara narimatte imasu

The territory of Japan consists of four main islands and many small islands.

• 日本の領土 - "territory of Japan"
• 四つの主要な島 - "four main islands"
• と - "and"
• 多くの小さな島々 - "many small islands"
• から成り立っています - "consists of"