Easy to remember and fun! A collection of number pun/mnemonic ideas
Just like reading “4649” as “yoroshiku,” these are puns that combine numbers and words.
While they’re often introduced as a tip for memorizing historical dates, they also come in handy in unexpected places—like making November 22nd “Good Couple Day,” putting nicknames on class T-shirts, or choosing a car license plate number.
This time, I’ll introduce some easy-to-remember and fun number-word puns.
You can also use them as quiz-style recreational activities.
Be sure to try creating your own original ones, too.
- Cute and funny mnemonics made with four-digit numbers
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- Four-character idioms with numbers: clear explanations of meanings and usage
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- Amusing four-character idioms you’ll want to use right away! A collection of expressions to remember as general knowledge.
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- Challenge together! A roundup of word games for adults
- Big fun with no props! A collection of party game ideas
- Games that get everyone excited without any equipment! A collection of simple ideas everyone can enjoy
Easy to remember and fun! A collection of number pun ideas (11–20)
Let’s revert to the blank slate (894 AD), the missions to Tang China.
The envoys to Tang China are a real headache for students—they always get mixed up with the envoys to Sui in our memories.
The envoys to Sui were the missions sent to the Sui dynasty during the Asuka period by Prince Shōtoku; Ono no Imoko and others are well known.
The envoys to Tang were the diplomatic missions to the Tang dynasty that Sugawara no Michizane abolished.
The difference between the missions to Tang and to Sui is simply whether the destination country was the Sui or the Tang.
Japan kept sending missions to adopt China’s advanced culture, but once the Tang entered a period of stability and there was “nothing more to learn,” the dispatch of envoys to Tang was halted in 894.
The person who matched the number 894 with the word hakushi (blank sheet) clearly had a great feel for words—probably someone very good at studying.
In conclusion
Wordplay that connects people is a cultural tradition that has been loved across generations.
From small numbers in everyday life to special anniversaries, the sound and meaning of words enrich our hearts.
Creating your own original wordplay might become a wonderful way to make lasting memories.