In South Korea, the number 4 is considered unlucky because it sounds similar to the hanja (Chinese character) for "death" (사), even though Korean is not a tonal language. This linguistic association has led to the avoidance of the number 4 in certain contexts.
The Association with Death
- The Korean word for "four" is sa (사).
- The Korean word for "death," also written as sa (사) using hanja, sounds identical.
- This homophony is the root of the superstition.
Practical Impacts
This belief affects how buildings and other places are numbered:
| Context | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Buildings | Floor number 4 is often skipped in hospitals, funeral halls, and similar public buildings. |
| Elevators | Some elevators will not have a button for the 4th floor. |
| Room numbers | Room number 4 may also be avoided in the above contexts. |
Specific Examples
- Hospitals may label the 4th floor as "F" instead of 4.
- Apartments may have unit numbers that skip 4.
Conclusion
The avoidance of the number 4 in Korea is a result of its similar pronunciation to the word for "death." This makes it unlucky and is frequently bypassed in locations where it might be associated with negative connotations.
