In a text, how to tell the difference between a date (of the year) and days/months?


Seeing, for exampe, **4月から** (or まで）in a text, how to tell if it means 'since
April' or '4 months ago' （respectively, 'until April' or 'after 4 months) ?

Similarly, how to tell if **4日から** (or まで） means 'since the 4th this month' or
'4 days ago' （respectively, 'until the 4th this month' or 'after 4 days)?




These will almost always mean "since April/the 4th" (I can't think of an
example where they wouldn't).

>   * From 4 months ago → [４ヶ月前]{よん・か・げつ・まえ}から
>   * 4 months later → [４ヶ月後]{よん・か・げつ・ご}
>   * Since April → [4月]{し・がつ}から
>   * Until 4 months from now → [４ヶ月後]{よん・か・げつ・ご}まで
>

​

>   * From 4 days ago → [４日前]{よっか・まえ}から
>   * 4 days later → [４日後]{よっか・ご}
>   * Since the 4th of the month → [4日]{よっか}から
>   * Until 4 days from now → [4日後]{よっか・ご}まで
>

