Why are the number kanji written the way they are?

Have you ever wondered why the kanji of numbers why the number kanji are written the way they are?

I think "一 one", "二 two" and "三 three" are understandable.

Theoretically, it should be like this below.



How come the "四 four" became like this?
I am going to introduce the reason.


Contents

• Using other kanji, 仮借
• The origins of the kanji numbers five-ten
• Practice sheet

Using other kanji characters, 仮借

Sometimes kanji characters have quite irrelevant origins.
It is because a specific kanji-making way is often used, which is called 仮借(kashaku).

仮借　かしゃく kashaku
Because there were no characters that stand for the words, other existing characters that have the same or similar pronunciation were used instead, and they became a household word later.

For example, "四 (four)" is speculated that its origin is the shape of a mouth and teeth.

In ancient China, the pronunciation of this kanji "四" and the pronunciation of "four" were the same, so they started to use the kanji "四" to mean "four".

Here are the origins of the number five-ten below.

The origins of the kanji numbers, five-ten

Some say it is the shape of crossed wood sticks, others say it is the shape of a box lid.(It originally means "to cross".)




It is said that the origin of "六" is the shape of a house.(It originally means "high".)




This character "七" stands for a cross-shaped cut.(It originally means "to cut".)




It describes something that is separated into two groups.(It originally means "to part".)




The pictograph shows a bended arm. (It originally means "to bend".)




It is the shape of wood sticks gathered into one bundle.

download the practice sheet

I prepared practice sheet.
If you are interested, please download them.