七
nana[na̠na̠]
In Japanese, the number seven can be expressed as 七 (nana), 七つ or セブン.
Meaning: cardinal number 7 (num)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 七 | nana | [na̠na̠] (narrow) [ɕi̥t͡ɕi] (narrow) |
| 七つ | nanatsu | [na̠na̠t͡sɨ] (narrow) |
| セブン | sebun | [se̞bɯ̟̃ɴ] (narrow) |
The word represents the cardinal number 7.
Which one should you use?
The reading nana (written as 七) is used for abstract counting, such as phone numbers or when specifying the digit itself. To count physical objects using the native Japanese counting method, use the form nanatsu (七つ). The form sebun (セブン) is a loanword from English and is primarily used in brand names or specific modern contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form nanatsu is used specifically when counting physical objects.
How do you pronounce it?
nana
Did you know?
- In certain contexts, Japanese speakers avoid shichi because it sounds similar to the word for 'death' (shi), preferring nana instead.
- The phrase 七五三 ('shichi-go-san') refers to a traditional festival celebrating the growth of children aged three, five and seven.
- Japanese has a unique concept called 七不思議 ('nana fushigi'), which refers to 'seven mysteries' or urban legends associated with a specific location.
Examples in context
- 七時三十分だった。It was seven thirty.This sentence shows how to use 七 for telling time.Tatoeba #149633 by small_snow, translation #264925 by CK
- 一週間は七日です。There are seven days in a week.This sentence shows how to use 七 when referring to the number of days in a week.Tatoeba #190567 by bunbuku, translation #27727 by CM
- 七時に家を出ます。I leave home at seven o'clock.This sentence shows how to use 七 when stating a specific time of day.Tatoeba #10982398 by small_snow, translation #12072767 by Winter
- 七人の侍Seven Samurai
- 7月July
- 七つの海Seven Seas
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are checking a shopping list.
- 健太 Kentaリンゴをいくつ買いますか。Ringo o ikutsu kaimasu ka.How many apples are we buying?
- 結衣 Yui七個ください。Nana-ko kudasai.Please give me seven.
- 健太 Kenta七個も必要ですか。Nana-ko mo hitsuyou desu ka.Do you really need seven?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、家族みんなで食べますから。Hai, kazoku minna de tabemasu kara.Yes, because the whole family will eat them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “seven” translations and entries 七, 七つ, セブン, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
