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七 is the kanji for 'seven', which can be read both as 'shichi' and 'nana', where 'shichi' is used when the 'digit 7' (cardinal) sense of the word is intended and is widely more used, and 'nana' is more like 'the counter' (ordinal) sense of the word.

七百 i.e. can be read both 'nanahyaku' and 'shichihyaku' meaning '700', but the latter is more common. There are some cases which the two readings can't be replaced.

七時 e.g. is read 'shichi ji' only, meaning '7 o'clock', where 七つ e.g. is only read as 'nanatsu' meaning '7' as a counter. (七つの星 reads 'nanatsu no hoshi' meaning 'seven stars, the big dipper'.)

There are 'exceptions' too like 七日 is read /na no ka/ meaning 'the 7th day of the month' in which the kanji for seven sounds 'nano'.

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12y ago

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