Fear of the number four (tetraphobia)

Tetraphobia is a fear or avoidance of the number 4. Someone affected might avoid addresses, phone numbers or seat numbers containing a 4, or feel uneasy when the number turns up in dates and prices.

About this phobia

The word comes from the Greek tetra, meaning four. It is one of the better documented number fears because it is rooted in superstition in parts of East Asia, where the word for four sounds similar to the word for death in languages such as Chinese, Japanese and Korean. As a result some buildings there skip a fourth floor, much as some Western buildings skip a thirteenth.

What it feels like

• Choosing a different house, room or seat to avoid the number 4
• Feeling uneasy or unlucky when the number appears on a ticket or receipt
• Avoiding giving gifts or items in sets of four

Explore more unusual fears in the rare phobias A to Z, or browse the common phobias.

Common questions

Why is the number 4 considered unlucky?

In several East Asian languages the word for four sounds close to the word for death, so the number became linked with bad luck. For many people this is a cultural habit rather than a fear, but it can become a phobia if it causes real anxiety or restricts daily choices.

How can you help?

I use hypnotherapy and NLP to change how your mind responds to the thing you fear, so the old alarm stops going off. Sessions are one to one over Zoom, and you get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to afterwards.

How many sessions will I need?

Many clients notice a real difference after one 90 minute session. If the fear goes back a long way, three sessions gives us room to make the change stick.

Ready to start?

Book a £49 consultation call and we’ll talk through your fear, or take the free suitability test first.

See all session options and prices