numeric
four; four things
The native Japanese numeral for counting four items, especially in the traditional hitotsu–tō counting system. Used for concrete objects, abstract items, and age (see sense 2).
りんごを四つください。
Please give me four apples.
この箱にはボタンが四つある。
There are four buttons on this box.
noun
four years old
Used for the age of four, especially for children. The reading よっつ is standard; よつ is archaic or poetic.
娘は今年で四つになります。
My daughter will be four this year.
noun
ten o'clock (old time system)
In the traditional Japanese temporal hour system, 四つ corresponded roughly to the modern 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. This usage is now historical and rarely encountered outside period contexts.
江戸時代には、四つは午前十時ごろを指した。
In the Edo period, 四つ referred to around ten in the morning.
noun
A derogatory term for burakumin, historically associated with the four-legged animal metaphor. This is a slur and should be avoided in modern speech; it is included here for recognition only.
See also: 部落民
「四つ」は差別語なので使ってはいけない。
"四つ" is a discriminatory term and must not be used.
noun
cross grips (sumo)
Abbreviation of 四つ身, a sumo grip where both wrestlers have an inside grip on each other's mawashi. Used in sumo terminology.
See also: 四つ身
横綱は四つに組んでから寄り切った。
The yokozuna locked into a cross grip and then forced his opponent out.