八 — Eight | JP Notes

Meaning

The kanji 八 (hachi) represents the number "eight." This fundamental kanji is frequently encountered, especially at the JLPT N5 level, making its understanding crucial for basic Japanese literacy. Although its direct pictorial origin isn't as immediately obvious as some other early kanji, the character itself is a beautiful example of a pictograph.

Historically, 八 is believed to have originated from an image of something dividing or spreading outwards, perhaps two objects separating. The two strokes diverge from a central point, symbolizing division or expansion. This concept of "spreading out" or "dividing" can sometimes subtly influence its usage in compounds, though its primary meaning remains "eight." In Japanese culture, the number eight is often considered lucky. Its kanji shape, 八, broadens towards the bottom, which is seen as a sign of prosperity and growth, signifying good fortune that spreads widely. This two-stroke character is simple and elegantly constructed, making it one of the easiest kanji to write and recognize. As a Grade 1 kanji, it is taught in the first year of Japanese elementary school, highlighting its foundational importance.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The on'yomi reading for 八 is ハチ (hachi). These readings are derived from Chinese pronunciations and are typically used when 八 forms part of a compound word with other kanji. This is especially true in numerical contexts or more formal expressions.

ハチ (hachi): This is the most common on'yomi. It's used in the vast majority of compounds involving the number eight.
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- <ruby>八月<rt>はちがつ</rt></ruby> (hachigatsu) — August (the eighth month)
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八十はちじゅう (hachijuu) — eighty
八回はっかい (hakkai) — eight times (note the sound change to っ for euphony, indicating a glottal stop)

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The kun'yomi readings for 八 are や (ya), や.つ (ya.tsu), やっ.つ (yattsu), and よう (you). These are native Japanese pronunciations. They are often used when the kanji stands alone or is part of a native Japanese word, sometimes with okurigana (trailing kana).

や (ya): This reading often appears in older or traditional Japanese words. It sometimes indicates "many" or "various" beyond just "eight."

- <ruby>八百屋<rt>やおや</rt></ruby> (yaoya) — greengrocer (literally "eight hundred store," suggesting a wide variety of produce)

八重桜やえざくら (yaezakura) — double-flowered cherry blossom (literally "eight-fold cherry blossom," referring to many layers of petals)
や.つ / やっ.つ (ya.tsu / yattsu): These forms are used for counting eight general items or people, and often include okurigana.
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- <ruby>八つ<rt>やっつ</rt></ruby> (yattsu) — eight (a general counter for things, e.g., eight apples)
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八つ当たりやつあたり (yatsu-atari) — to vent one's anger (literally "hitting eight places," implying indiscriminate anger)
よう (you): This reading is specifically used for counting days or indicating the eighth day of the month.
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- <ruby>八日<rt>ようか</rt></ruby> (youka) — eight days, or the eighth day of the month
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Common Words & Compounds

The kanji 八 appears in many Japanese words and compounds, highlighting its fundamental role in counting and its broader connotations of "many" or "spreading." Here are some common examples, grouped by thematic context, to help you understand its versatile usage:

Numbers and Counting:

- <ruby>八<rt>はち</rt></ruby> (hachi) — eight

八つやっつ (yattsu) — eight (general counter for things)
八人はちにん (hachinin) — eight people
八個はっこ (hakko) — eight (general counter for small, round objects)
八百はっぴゃく (happyaku) — eight hundred
八千はっせん (hassen) — eight thousand
八万はちまん (hachiman) — eighty thousand

Time and Dates:

- <ruby>八月<rt>はちがつ</rt></ruby> (hachigatsu) — August

八日ようか (youka) — eight days, eighth day of the month

Spatial and Directional:

- <ruby>八方<rt>はっぽう</rt></ruby> (happou) — all directions, all sides

八角形はっかっけい (hakkakkei) — octagon (an eight-sided shape)

Everyday Vocabulary:

- <ruby>八百屋<rt>やおや</rt></ruby> (yaoya) — greengrocer

八重歯やえば (yaeba) — snaggleteeth (overlapping teeth)
八幡はちまん (hachiman) — Hachiman (a Shinto deity)

Example Sentences

りんごを八はちつください。

Ringo o yattsu kudasai.

Please give me eight apples.

八月はちがつに日本にほんへ行いきます。

Hachigatsu ni Nihon e ikimasu.

I will go to Japan in August.

八時はちじに会社かいしゃに着つきました。

Hachiji ni kaisha ni tsukimashita.

I arrived at the office at eight o'clock.

このケーキを八やっつに切きってください。

Kono keeki o yattsu ni kitte kudasai.

Please cut this cake into eight pieces.

私わたしの家族かぞくは八人はちにんです。

Watashi no kazoku wa hachinin desu.

My family has eight people.

八日ようかは私わたしの誕生日たんじょうびです。

Youka wa watashi no tanjoubi desu.

The eighth is my birthday.

富士山ふじさんには八合目はちごうめまで登のぼりました。

Fujisan ni wa hachigoume made noborimashita.

I climbed Mt. Fuji up to the eighth station.

子供こどもは八歳はっさいで、とても元気げんきです。

Kodomo wa hassai de, totemo genki desu.

My child is eight years old and very energetic.

Related Kanji

Memory Tip

To remember the kanji 八 (hachi), visualize two lines spreading outwards, like two paths diverging or the wide stance of a person. This visual image connects to its ancient origin of depicting "division" or "spreading." Another helpful image is two chopsticks that have separated while picking something up. The upward-pointing spread of the strokes can also be seen as a symbol of good luck or prosperity, as if good fortune is "spreading out." This simple, two-stroke character is easy to write and recall once you associate it with the number eight and its "spreading" nature.

八 — Eight