How to use "14" in a sentence
Here are 5 practical examples in polite everyday Japanese:
Other ways of saying "14" in Japanese
Japanese has multiple counting systems, so "14" changes depending on what you're counting:
- juuyon (十四) — Standard number 14 — 10 + 4.
- juushi (十四) — Alternative reading, less common in modern Japanese.
- juuyon-sai (十四歳) — Age 14 — second year of junior high.
- juuyon-mai (十四枚) — Counter for flat objects — 14 sheets.
- juuyon-nichi (十四日) — The 14th day of the month.
Learn how to say 13 in Japanese. Learn how to say 15 in Japanese. Learn how to say 12 in Japanese.
Fun fact about "14" in Japanese culture
In Japan, Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14th, but with a unique twist: women give chocolates to men, not the other way around. This tradition, started by a chocolate company's marketing campaign in the 1950s, has become deeply embedded in Japanese culture. There are even different types of chocolate — honmei-choco (true feelings) for romantic interests and giri-choco (obligation chocolate) for coworkers and friends. The entire chocolate industry in Japan generates billions of yen annually from this single date.
The number 14 is significant in Japanese martial arts. In kendo, practitioners must master 14 basic strikes (waza) before advancing to more complex techniques. These 14 foundational movements represent the core philosophy of the sword — discipline, precision, and respect. Kendo remains one of Japan's most popular martial arts, with over 1.7 million registered practitioners worldwide.
In Japanese professional wrestling (puroresu), the New Japan Pro-Wrestling promotion holds its annual Wrestle Kingdom event on January 4th at the Tokyo Dome. While not the 14th, the number 14 appears in the event's history — the 14th edition in 2024 featured one of the most critically acclaimed matches in modern wrestling history, drawing over 30,000 live attendees and millions of streaming viewers globally.