In China, numbers aren’t just digits—they’re folklore, etiquette, and social currency rolled into one. Like ancient riddles hidden in your phone number or apartment floor, these numerals can bring fortune or faux pas. Let’s explore the most fascinating ones.
1. The Magic Behind Numbers: It’s All About Wordplay!
In Chinese, numbers echo words. The result? Each number carries a personality—auspicious, ominous, or occasionally cheeky.
| Number | Chinese Pronunciation | Sounds Like… | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | sì | 死 (sǐ) | Death 😱 |
| 8 | bā | 发 (fā) | Wealth 💰 |
| 6 | liù | 流 (liú) | Smooth 🌀 |
| 9 | jiǔ | 久 (jiǔ) | Longevity 🌱 |
Real-Life Impact:
A Beijing license plate with “888” sold for $140,000 – more than the car itself. 🚗
Buildings often skip the 4th floor (labeling it as “5F”) to avoid ominous vibes.
2. The Notorious Number 4: China’s “Unlucky 13”
Why the superstition? “Four” (sì) and “death” (sǐ) are near homophones. This discomfort manifests everywhere:
🏥 No Room or Floor 4 in many hospitals.
✈️ Airlines like China Eastern omit Row 4.
💍 April 4 (4/4) is avoided for weddings—too much bad luck packed into one date.
Exception: In musical circles, “Fa” (solfège’s 4th note) sounds like “fā” (prosperity)—so concert halls keep it! 🎶
3. Number 8: The Ultimate Lucky Charm
“Eight” (bā) rhymes with “fā” (to prosper), and is cherished like a four-leaf clover—except this one can raise your rent.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics launched at exactly 8:08 PM on 8/8/08.
A phone number made of repeating 8s sold for $2.3 million in Hong Kong.
Property listings featuring 8 (e.g., Unit 808) command premiums of 15–20%.
💡 168 = “一路发” (yī lù fā): “prosper all the way” 🚗💨
4. Other Characters in the Number Cast
6 (liù) = “Smooth sailing”
Text code 666 means “all good”—a digital thumbs up
9 (jiǔ) = “Forever”
Expect to see 999 roses at weddings (yes, every one counted)
🚨 But in hospitals, 9 may be avoided—it hints at “prolonged illness”
7 (qī) = “Wife” or “Spirit”
Romantic for weddings (especially 7/7, Chinese Valentine’s Day)
But also tied to ghost lore—July is known as “Ghost Month” 👻
5. How to Use Numbers Like a Local
Do ✅
Tip ¥8.88—it means triple fortune
Pick wedding or interview dates with lots of 6s or 8s
Choose phone numbers ending in 168 or 888
Avoid ❌
Never gift four of anything (flowers, fruit, cash—it’s unlucky)
Don’t joke about going to the “4th floor”
Steer clear of scheduling medical appointments on the 4th, 14th, or 24th
6. When Numbers Collide: Fun Combos
Chinese speakers also turn numbers into phonetic puzzles—like SMS haiku.
520 (wǔ èr líng): Sounds like “I love you” (我爱你 wǒ ài nǐ). 💖
1314 (yī sān yī sì): “One lifetime” (一生一世 yīshēng yīshì).
7456 (qī sì wǔ liù): “气死我了!” (qìsǐ wǒle) = “I’m furious!” 😤
7. Why This Matters Beyond Superstition
Chinese number culture reflects deeper values:
Harmony: Avoiding 4 shows respect for others’ comfort.
Hope: Loving 8 isn’t greed – it’s about wishing prosperity for loved ones.
Poetry: Numbers are wordplay art, like Shakespearean rhymes!
Final Tip: Relax and Play Along!
Don’t stress about memorizing all this. Even Chinese millennials mix up number rules sometimes! When in doubt:
🏢 Observe: If the elevator skips 4, follow suit.
🗣️ Ask: “这个数字吉利吗？” (Zhège shùzì jílì ma?) = “Is this number lucky?”
🍎 Improvise: Accidentally brought four apples? Say: “四 sounds like ‘seed’—may you grow something beautiful.”
🔗 Cultural Bridge: Next time you see 8s in Chinatown, smile – you’re in on the secret!
Discussion: What number superstitions exist in your culture? Let’s swap stories below! 👇