Why Some Cultures Avoid the Number 4

Published on February 27, 2025

by Harriet King

While the number 13 spooks Western cultures, the number 4 holds similar eerie status in parts of East Asia. In countries like China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, the number 4 is considered deeply unlucky — so much so that buildings often skip the fourth floor, and people avoid giving gifts in sets of four.

But what’s behind this fear of a seemingly ordinary number? The answer lies in language, history, and centuries of cultural tradition. Let’s explore why the number 4 is feared — and how it still shapes choices in modern life.

The Superstition Around the Number 4

Let’s break down why the number 4 has such a spooky reputation across various East Asian cultures:

1. It Sounds Like “Death”

The main reason the number 4 is avoided is its phonetic similarity to the word for death.

Here’s how this plays out:

In Mandarin Chinese, the word for “four” (sì) sounds almost identical to the word for “death” (sǐ).
The same pattern occurs in Japanese (shi), Korean (sa), and Vietnamese (tứ/tử).
This linguistic link creates an automatic association — 4 = death.
As a result, the number is considered ominous and best avoided.

2. Tetraphobia: The Fear of Four

The fear of the number 4 is so common, it has its own name: tetraphobia.

What this looks like in real life:

Elevators often skip the 4th floor — going from 3 to 5.
Hospitals avoid Room 4 or beds labeled with the number.
License plates and phone numbers with multiple 4s are seen as unlucky.
Even addresses or floor plans might be altered to remove the number.

3. It’s More Serious in Certain Settings

In healthcare, real estate, and business, avoiding the number 4 is seen as a form of respect — and good sense.

Examples include:

In hospitals, Room 4 may be used for storage, not patients.
Real estate listings highlight properties “without 4s” as selling points.
Some phone carriers avoid offering numbers with four 4s — similar to “666” in the West.
It’s especially serious in situations involving health, family, and major life transitions.

The Backstory of Numerological Taboos

The fear of certain numbers is common worldwide — and often tied to language, religion, or cosmic symbolism. In East Asia, numerology is culturally significant, with both auspicious and unlucky numbers carrying deep meaning.

Just as 8 is lucky (sounding like “prosperity” in Chinese), 4 is seen as unlucky due to its phonetic shadow. These beliefs shape choices from apartment numbers to wedding dates to pricing.

Why It’s So Intriguing

The superstition around 4 shows how language and belief intersect in daily life. It’s not just about fear — it’s about creating comfort and respect in shared spaces. Even in modern skyscrapers or corporate boardrooms, this ancient anxiety still influences architecture, design, and etiquette.

It also highlights how different cultures assign power and meaning to numbers in completely different ways.

What Most People Don’t Know

Here are a few extra insights into the number 4 taboo:

Phone numbers with multiple 4s are often discounted in China — while “888” numbers fetch high prices.
Some hotels skip 4, 14, and 44 — not just the first instance.
In contrast, the number 4 is neutral or lucky in some cultures, such as in parts of the Middle East.
Western companies localizing products in Asia often rebrand “Model 4” to “Model 5” or another name.

Bonus Fact

Apple reportedly skipped releasing the iPhone 4 in parts of Asia with certain carrier partners — because of concerns about its market appeal due to tetraphobia.

Takeaway

What might seem like a simple number carries deep weight in some parts of the world. The fear of 4 isn’t about math — it’s about meaning, memory, and respect for cultural nuance. As global understanding grows, even numbers remind us to think beyond our own perspectives.

So next time you see a missing fourth floor — you’ll know it’s not a design mistake. It’s cultural fluency in action.