JLPT N5 Vocabulary – How to count numbers in Japanese

Table of Contents

1. How to count numbers in Japanese
2. Basic number readings
3. When counting in reverse
4. Reading Phone Numbers and Room Numbers
5. Are “し・しち・く” not used?
6. Summary
7. Similar Articles
8. Comments

Q: I heard that the way Japanese numbers are read changes when counting from 1 to 10 and from 10 to 1. Why is that?

A: In Japanese, 4, 7, and 9 each have two possible readings. When counting from 1 to 10, you may hear either “し/よん,” “しち/なな,” and “く/きゅう.” However, when counting down from 10 to 1, “きゅう・なな・よん” are generally used.

There is no grammar rule stating that you must use these readings when counting backwards. In Japanese, “よん・なな・きゅう” are commonly used when numbers are read individually

So rather than remembering that either reading is always acceptable, it is better to remember that the most natural reading of 4, 7, and 9 can change depending on the situation.

Basic Number Readings

First, let’s review how to read the numbers from 1 to 10.

Number	Reading
1	いち
2	に
3	さん
4	よん／し
5	ご
6	ろく
7	なな／しち
8	はち
9	きゅう/く
1o	じゅう

The numbers 4, 7, and 9 each have two possible readings.

However, you cannot always freely choose between the two.

The most natural reading changes depending on what you are counting and the situation in which the number is used.

Counting from 10 to 1

When counting down from 10 to 1, the numbers are generally read as follows:

じゅう、きゅう、はち、なな、ろく、ご、よん、さん、に、いち

In this case:

• 9 → きゅう
• 7 → なな
• 4 → よん

These are the natural readings to use.

You would not normally count down using 「く」「しち」「し」, as in:

じゅう、く、はち、しち、ろく、ご、し……

The important point is not to think of this as a special grammar rule for counting backwards. Instead, remember that 「よん・なな・きゅう」 are commonly used when numbers are read individually.

Reading Phone Numbers and Room Numbers

[Reading Phone Numbers]

Phone numbers are usually read one digit at a time.

For example,
090-479-XXXX
is generally read as:

ぜろ・きゅう・ぜろ、よん・なな・きゅう……

In this case as well:

• 4 → よん
• 7 → なな
• 9 → きゅう

are commonly used.

When giving a phone number, it is important that the other person can understand each digit correctly. For this reason, readings that are easy to distinguish are generally used.

[Reading Room Numbers]

Room numbers may also be read one digit at a time.

部屋へや番号ばんごうは479です。

The room number is 479.
→ よん・なな・きゅうです。

If 479 is read as the number “four hundred seventy-nine,” it is:
よんひゃくななじゅうきゅう

However, when it is read as a room number one digit at a time, it becomes:
よん・なな・きゅう
So even with the same number, 「479」, the way it is read can change depending on what the number represents.

Are “し・しち・く“ not used?

“し,” “しち,” and “く” are also correct Japanese readings.
However, the situations in which they are used are somewhat fixed.

For example, when telling the time:
7時じ → しちじ
We say “しちじ,” not “ななじ.”

Also, for months:
4月がつ → しがつ

7月がつ → しちがつ

9月がつ → くがつ
the readings “し・しち・く” are used.

On the other hand:
40 → よんじゅう

70 → ななじゅう

90 → きゅうじゅう
are the standard readings.

So, rather than remembering that 4, 7, and 9 each have two readings and that you can simply choose whichever one you like, it is important to remember that the reading changes depending on the word or situation.

Summary

• 4, 7, and 9 each have two possible readings. (4: よん／し, 7: なな／しち, 9: きゅう／く)
• When counting from 10 to 1, “きゅう・なな・よん” are generally used.
• When reading numbers one digit at a time, such as phone numbers or room numbers, “よん・なな・きゅう” are also commonly used.
• There are also situations where “し・しち・く” are used, such as 4月がつ “しがつ,” 7時じ “しちじ,” and 9月がつ “くがつ.”
• With 4, 7, and 9, you cannot simply use either reading freely. The most natural reading changes depending on the situation.

Similar Articles

---

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Receive free tips for learning Japanese!

Comment for any questions!