八
hachi[ha̠t͡ɕi]
The Japanese word for eight is 八 (hachi). Wiktionary also lists 八つ (yatsu) and エイト (eito).
Meaning: cardinal number 8 (num)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 八 | hachi | [ha̠t͡ɕi] (narrow) |
| 八つ | yatsu | [ja̠t̚t͡sɨ] (narrow) |
| エイト | eito | [e̞ito̞] (narrow) |
The standard way to say the number 8 in a sequence (one, two, three…) is 八.
Which one should you use?
八 is used for abstract numbers or when combined with specific counters like time, whereas 八つ is used specifically when counting general objects. The katakana form エイト is a loanword used in modern contexts such as brand names, song titles or English-style games.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing the time eight o'clock, you combine the number 八 with the counter for hours 時 (ji) to form 八時 (hachi-ji).
How do you pronounce it?
hachi
Did you know?
- The character 八 is often used in the name of the 'eight million gods' of Shinto, 八百万の神. Here, 八 does not mean exactly eight, but represents an infinite or countless number.
- The kanji for eight, 八, is considered very auspicious in Japan because its shape opens up at the bottom, symbolizing a widening prosperity or growth.
- Some traditional Japanese crafts and rituals avoid the number four but embrace 八 as a symbol of abundance and infinity.
Examples in context
- 夜の八時です。It's eight o'clock at night.This sentence shows how to use 八 to tell the time at night.Tatoeba #79715 by bunbuku, translation #324002 by CK
- 朝の八時です。It's eight o'clock in the morning.This sentence shows how to use 八 to tell the time in the morning.Tatoeba #126233 by bunbuku, translation #277759 by CK
- 午後八時です。It's eight in the evening.This sentence shows how to use 八 to express the time in the evening.Tatoeba #650836 by arihato, translation #11770629 by sundown
- Watashi no ie ni wa hachi hon no tsue ga arimasu. (私の家には八本の杖があります。)In my house, there are eight walking sticks.
- Hachi-ji ni aimashou! (八時に会いましょう！)Let's meet at eight o'clock!
- 43 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a small bakery, Hiroto and Himari are ordering.
- 大翔 Hirotoこのパンを八つください。kono pan o yattsu kudasai.Please give me eight of these breads.
- 陽葵 Himariはい、わかりました。hai, wakarimashita.Yes, I understand.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵、全部でいくらかな？Himari, zenbu de ikura kana?Himari, I wonder how much it is in total?
- 陽葵 Himari少し高いね。sukoshi takai ne.It is a bit expensive, isn't it?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “eight” translations and entries 八, 八つ, エイト, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
