Do locals ever talk to you about Chinese lucky numbers? Do they tell you that your Mandarin is “so six”? So now you’re wondering what does it even mean?
Learn the special meaning behind the most popular numbers 6 and 8 with our new video. Additionally, if you need more practise – check out why our online classes might help you!
👉 8 (bā) – the most well-known Chinese lucky number
is considered to be one of the most common Chinese lucky numbers because it sounds like the first syllable in the word 发财 fācái (发 fā) which means “to be/get rich”.
Therefore, 8 is naturally a word FILLED with luck.
👉 6 (liù) – covering casual conversation AND wishing luck.
Eight, 八 (bā) is one of the Chinese lucky numbers because it appears in the idiom 六六大顺 liùliù dàshùn – “six-six-big-smooth” – which means that “everything goes smoothly”.
Therefore, it’s clearly a lucky word because thing’s don’t naturally run smoothly and sometimes we need well wishes from friends.
🧧 Red Envelopes
It’s very popular to send red envelopes (hongbao) these days to friends, relatives, colleagues, and basically anyone on your friends’ list.
Hence, Chinese people like to send a hongbao with an amount related to the Chinese lucky numbers 6 and 8, to wish a person good luck💰.
For example, ¥88.88 and ¥66.66.
📢 When Chinese lucky numbers became slang
There has been a development over the last couple of years, where we’ve seen traditional numbers and superstitions leak into the mainstream. As a result, you will see 6 (liù) used online very often. It’s become a new Internet slang word meaning “great”. So don’t worry if the locals tell you that your Chinese is so “six”. They’re just saying it’s great!
🔸 你的汉语说得真六！
🔸 Nǐ de Hànyǔ shuō de zhēn liù!
🔸 Your Chinese is so great (six)!
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