16 in Japanese

Let's learn how to say 16 in Japanese.

We will also show you what the age of 16 can do in Japan.

How to say number sixteen in Japanese

16 is "十六 じゅうろく /juroku/" in Japanese.

What can we do at 16 years old in Japan?

In Japan, 16 years old is the age of a high school freshman and can do the following:

• Work: From the age of 16, one can work part-time jobs under certain conditions based on the Labor Standards Act. Many 16-year-olds, even high school students, work part-time. However, there are restrictions on working late hours and in hazardous jobs.

• Driver’s License: At 16, one can obtain a motorcycle license (moped license or regular motorcycle license). The moped license is available from 16, and the regular motorcycle license (for motorcycles up to 400cc) can also be obtained from 16.

• Marriage: The legal age for marriage is 18 for males and 16 for females. However, minors require parental consent to get married.

• Voting: The voting age in Japan is 18, so 16-year-olds are not yet eligible to vote.

• Credit Card: Generally, credit cards are available from the age of 18. However, a 16-year-old can use debit cards or similar financial products with parental consent.

These are the main activities a 16-year-old can engage in while living in Japan.

Japanese idioms using the number sixteen

The idiom "十六夜 /izayoi/ sixteen nights" is an idiom that uses the word "sixteen". This is a special reading, not "juuroku".

Izayoi (Sixteenth Night) means the moon on the night of the sixteenth day of the lunar calendar. It refers to the moon on the night following the full moon, which rises slightly later. That’s a lovely word.