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This is the Conversation Forum for Triskaidekaphobia << 13 and the last supper Chinese unlucky numbers >> Subject: Unlucky numbers in Japan Posted Apr 3, 2000 by Henro   Posting 1 Regarding "and in Japan the numbers four and nine are also unlucky for similar reasons, they sound like words for death and pain respectively." Four (pronounced "shi" or, if you prefer, "she") is avoided only in limited situations (such as the custom of not having four people in a photo) but nine ("ku" or, if you prefer "coo") must be a superstition in abeyance. The modern word for pain is "itai" which, fortunately, has no resemblance to any number I know -- certainly not 42.) Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: Unlucky numbers in Japan Posted Apr 29, 2003 by Captn Rhett This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 2 Yes.. Shi (or Shinu in the verb form) is "Death" and I will agree with you that 9 is not considered unlucky. However; nine is said kyu (kiu) not coo... Sorry about that bit. And considering that kyu is also the counter for school grade level (different kanji) I don't see how it could be considered an ill omen. Conversation list Most of the content on h2g2 is created by h2g2's Researchers, who are members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site's House Rules, please click on the relevant button to alert our Moderation Team. Conversation list

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