Eight
八
Eight
Kun-yomi 🇯🇵:
やっつ (yattsu)
(Japanese reading)On-yomi 🇨🇳:
ハチ (hachi)
/ハッ (hatsu)
(Chinese-derived reading)
Pronunciation rules
- やっつ (yattsu) is the kun-yomi when counting things.
- ハチ (hachi) and ハッ (hatsu) are the on-yomi readings. ハチ is used in compounds like 八月 (はちがつ, hachigatsu: August).
- As part of proper names and set phrases, readings may vary; learn common expressions like 八日 (ようか, yōka: the 8th day of a month) or 八百屋 (やおや, yaoya: vegetable shop).
Examples
Kun-yomiNative Japanese Readings
八 つ ください。
Eight, please.
Uses kun-yomi やっつ (yattsu) when counting things
八 つ あります。
There are eight.
Uses kun-yomi やっつ (yattsu) when counting things
On-yomiSino-Japanese Readings
八月
August
Uses on-yomi ハチ (hachi) in compound for months
八 月 に いきます。
I will go in August.
Uses on-yomi ハチ (hachi) in compound 八月
ExceptionIrregular Readings
八日
the 8th day of a month
Exception: 八日 reads as ようか for the eighth day of the month
八百屋
vegetable shop
Exception: 八百屋 reads as やおや (vegetable shop)
Quick facts
- Radical: 八 (itself)
- Strokes: 2
- Common compounds: 八月 (はちがつ, hachigatsu), 八百屋 (やおや, yaoya: vegetable shop)
- ⚠️ Exceptions:
- 八日 reads as ようか when meaning "the 8th day of a month".
- 八月 reads as はちがつ (uses on-yomi ハチ in compound).
- 八百屋 reads as やおや (vegetable shop).
- Counting: やっつ (eight things).
Key Words
八つ - eight (things)
八月 - august
八日 - the 8th day of a month
八百屋 - vegetable shop