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From lucky eights to cursed fours — today we explore why numbers in Chinese aren’t just for counting. Some can bring fortune… others, misfortune. 🚪💰
In this episode, we go from 1 to 100, revealing the hidden meanings behind everyday numbers in Chinese culture — and how to talk about them in Mandarin too!
🧧 Don’t forget: Thursday’s episode is the second part of our Superstition series — we’ll explore ghost month, nail-cutting taboos, and more!
Number:
1 — 一 (yī)
2 — 二 (èr)
3 — 三 (sān)
4 — 四 (sì)
5 — 五 (wǔ)
6 — 六 (liù)
7 — 七 (qī)
8 — 八 (bā)
9 — 九 (jiǔ)
10 — 十 (shí)
11 — 十一 (shí yī)
12 — 十二 (shí èr)
13 — 十三 (shí sān)
21 — 二十一 (èr shí yī)
34 — 三十四 (sān shí sì)
56 — 五十六 (wǔ shí liù)
78 — 七十八 (qī shí bā)
99 — 九十九 (jiǔ shí jiǔ)
100 — 一百 (yì bǎi)
一 (yī) — the first, the best.
Being 第一 (dì yī) = number one 🥇
Used in awards, school, success.
Also means beginnings — simple, clear, powerful.
他是第一名。
He got first place.
二 (èr) — double, couple, harmony.
In Chinese culture, good things come in pairs.
So 二 often means balance and luck in marriage.
二人世界
A world for two (romantic couple)
喜事成双
Good things come in pairs
三 (sān) — neutral.
Often used in idioms, like:
事不过三 — bad things don’t happen more than three times.
Also in set phrases: 天地人 (heaven, earth, people) = 3 elements of life.
我们已经讲了三次了。
We’ve already said it three times.
四 (sì) — the spooky one.
Sounds like 死 (sǐ) — death.
Often avoided in buildings, elevators, hospitals.
14, 24, and 514 = very unlucky
我不住十四楼。
I won’t stay on the 14th floor.
514号房没人住。
No one stays in Room 514.
五 (wǔ) — flexible meaning.
On its own, it’s neutral.
But paired in slang or dates:
520 (wǔ èr líng) = 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ) — I love you 💗
514 = 我要死 — I want to die 😬
今天是520，你跟她表白了吗？
It’s 520 — did you confess to her today?
六 (liù) — very lucky!
Sounds like “流 (liú)” = smooth
Great for business, exams, weddings
666 is considered awesome (not evil!)
一路顺利！
Hope everything goes smoothly!
他超爱六六六的车牌。
He loves his 666 license plate.
七 (qī) — unlucky in many cases.
七月 = Ghost Month
七年之痒 = the 7-year relationship crisis
Also related to traditional mourning rituals
七月不要讲鬼故事。
Don’t tell ghost stories in July.
八 (bā) — king of lucky numbers 💰
Sounds like 发 (fā) — to get rich
Used in weddings, phone numbers, business names
Also linked with prosperity and growth
她的手机号有很多八。
Her phone number has lots of 8s.
88号房很受欢迎。
Room 88 is super popular.
九 (jiǔ) — long-lasting love 💘
Sounds like 久 (jiǔ) = forever
Used in romantic phrases, weddings, and lucky gifts
99 roses = forever love
999 = triple love, maximum luck
他送了她九十九朵玫瑰。
He gave her 99 roses.
十 (shí) — symbol of completeness.
Ten fingers, ten points = perfection
Getting 满分 (mǎn fēn) = full score = 100%
十全十美
Perfect in every way
💥 Combo Numbers
Let’s talk about some two-digit “combo numbers” that people love — or avoid.
22 (èr èr)
Double = balance, good luck
Used in addresses and sometimes weddings
Aesthetically pleasing number — cute and neat
她喜欢22号楼。
She likes Building 22.
44 (sì sì)
⚠️ Bad! Double death (死死)
Very unlucky — strongly avoided in hospitals
这个小区没有44号。
There’s no No. 44 in this neighborhood.
66 (liù liù)
Very lucky — “everything goes smoothly”
People love to say: 六六大顺！
= Super smooth and successful!
祝你六六大顺！
Wishing you everything goes well!
88 (bā bā)
Double fortune!
Also used online to say “bye bye”
(because “bā bā” sounds like “bye bye”)
她的微信号是88开头的。
Her WeChat starts with 88.
99 (jiǔ jiǔ)
Ultimate love number
Often used in messages, love letters, flower bouquets
我爱你到99岁。
I’ll love you until you’re 99.
100 (yì bǎi)
A perfect score 💯Used for praise, exams, or describing someone you really admire
我考试得了一百分！
I got 100 on my test!