Japanese word

四本

Pronunciation

Romajiyonhon

Meaning

  • nounfour

Example

鉛筆を四本買います。en pitsu o yon hon ka i ma su

I buy four pencils.

Illustration for 四本 (four)

More examples

庭に四本の木があります。niwa ni yon hon no ki ga a ri ma su

There are four trees in the garden.

Core concept

Expresses a quantity of four by counting long, slender objects as a series.

Common phrases

  • 四本の鉛筆yon hon no en pitsu

    four pencils

  • 四本の指yon hon no yubi

    four fingers

  • 四本の足yon hon no ashi

    four legs

Definition in Japanese

細長い物を四つ数えるときに用いる語。hoso naga i mono o yon tsu kazo e ru to ki ni mochi i ru go

Word origin

四本 (yonhon) combines 四 (yon, "four") with 本 (hon, "counter for long, slender objects").

Usage tips

  • The counter 本 (hon) changes sound in compounds, as seen in 一本 (ippon), 三本 (sanbon), and 四本 (yonhon).

Word lists with this word