九

• Reading: きゅう
• Romaji: kyuu
• Kanji breakdown: 九 (kyuu/ku/kokono) — nine
• Pronunciation: /kjɯː/

Meaning

Nine; 9. The highest single digit, with two common readings.

Has two readings: きゅう (Sino-Japanese) and く (also Sino-Japanese, older form). く is avoided in some contexts because it sounds like 苦 (ku, suffering). きゅう is preferred in most modern usage. Common words include 九月 (kugatsu, September), 九時 (kuji, nine o'clock), and 九日 (kokonoka, the ninth day).

Examples

1. 九月から新しい仕事を始めます。 I'm starting a new job in September.
2. 九時に寝ます。 I go to bed at nine o'clock.
3. バスは九番です。 The bus is number nine.

Usage Guide

Context: counting, time, dates

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 九 is thought to depict an arm reaching or bending, suggesting the idea of 'extending to the limit' — the last single digit.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal