Chinese Number Slang – 数字代表的意思

Chinese Number Slang – 数字代表的意思

There are several types of numbers, the most common of which are Arabic numbers. They actually originated in ancient India, invented not by the Arabs, but by the Hindus. Numbers were later mastered by the Arabs for business use, and then spread to the West and further around the world. For this reason, they are known as “Arabic numbers”. The earliest use of “Arabic numbers” “阿拉伯数字” [ā lā bó shù zì] in China was in the first year of the reign of Guangxu Emperor “光绪帝” [Guāng Xù dì] of the Qing Dynasty “清代” [Qīng dài] (1875 BC). ).

The use and the customs related to numbers are closely related to the geographical environment, worldview, religious beliefs and cultural traditions of different countries and peoples. In China, two numbers, in particular, are considered special.
Number “8”, “八“, [bā] is considered a lucky number, because of its homophony with the word “发” [fā], which means “get rich”. The most disliked number is “4” “四” [sì], which sounds like the word “die” “死” [sǐ]. Many buildings in China do not have the 4th floor.

“Number codes” 数字密码 [shùzì mìmǎ] are widely used by Chinese youth when communicating on the Internet because it is much more convenient for typing on keyboards. One number can have different meanings. It should just sound the same way as the word it replaces. For example, May 20th (5 wǔ – 2 èr – 0 ling) became love declaration day in China, because it sounds like “I love you” “我爱你” [wǒ ài nǐ].

Numeric codes are much easier to type on the keyboard than Chinese characters, but they can sometimes be difficult for foreigners to understand and use in chat, so here you will find some of the most popular Chinese number phrases:

Now it’s your turn! Try to create numerical phrases in Chinese by yourself! For example, “I will love Mandarinka (“Tangerine”) forever and ever!” 一生一世我爱橘子” [yīshēng yīshì wǒ ài júzi]!

Author: Akzhan 老师