No, 13 is not considered a bad number in Korean culture.
While the number 13 may be considered unlucky in some Western cultures, it doesn't hold any negative connotations in Korea. However, it's essential to note that another number, 4, is considered unlucky in Korea. This fear of the number 4 is known as tetraphobia.
Number 4 and Tetraphobia in Korea
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The Pronunciation: The Korean word for "four" (사, sa) sounds very similar to the Korean word for "death" (사, sa). This phonetic similarity is the root cause of the aversion.
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Practical Implications: Tetraphobia manifests in various ways:
- Hospitals and other public buildings often skip the fourth floor, numbering them as F (for floor) or using '3A' instead.
- Apartment buildings frequently avoid using the number 4 in floor numbers.
- Gift-giving may avoid sets of four items.
Comparing 13 and 4 in Korean Culture
| Number | Considered Unlucky in Korea? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | No | No negative associations or superstitions. |
| 4 | Yes | Pronunciation similar to the word "death." |
In summary, while 13 might raise eyebrows elsewhere, it's the number 4 that Koreans tend to avoid due to its linguistic association with death.
