Secret Meanings Behind Chinese Numbers

If you’ve ever wondered why some apartment floors "disappear" or why certain phone numbers cost a fortune, it all comes down to homophones (words that sound exactly like other words).

Here is a quick, fun guide to the numbers Chinese families love—and the ones they actively avoid!

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The VIPs: The Lucky Numbers

Number 8 (八)

Vibe: Ultimate wealth and success

Why it’s loved: In both Mandarin (bā) and Cantonese (baat3), 8 sounds like "發" (fā / faat3), which means to make a fortune or hit the jackpot. People will pay crazy money for license plates or phone numbers with multiple 8s.

💡Fun fact: The Beijing Olympics started exactly at 8:08 PM on 08/08/08!

Number 6 (六)

Vibe: Smooth sailing

Why it’s loved: It sounds like the word for "to flow" (流). It means everything in your life—school, career, relationships—will go smoothly without hiccups. In modern internet culture, typing "666" actually means "Awesome!" or "Smooth moves!"

Number 9 (九)

Vibe: Forever and ever

Why it’s loved: It sounds identical to "久", meaning long-lasting or eternal. It’s a huge favorite for weddings and friendships because it represents a long, healthy life and bonds that never break.

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The Taboos: The "Unlucky" Numbers

Number 4 (四)

Vibe: Total avoidance

Why it’s feared: This is the biggest number taboo. In both Mandarin (sì) and Cantonese (sei3), 4 sounds almost exactly like "死" (sǐ / sei2)—the word for death.

🏢Look closer next time: If you get into an elevator in cities with large Asian populations (like Hong Kong, Vancouver, or Toronto), don't be surprised if the 4th, 14th, or 24th floors are completely missing or renamed "3A".

Number 7 (七)

Vibe: A little spooky

Why it’s tricky: While 7 is lucky in Western culture, it has a mixed reputation in Chinese culture. The 7th month of the lunar calendar is "Ghost Month," so it can sometimes bring a slightly eerie vibe, though it's not nearly as feared as the number 4.

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Try this at home!

Languages come alive when kids see them in the real world. Turn this into a quick game with your child this week:

🚗 License Plate Hunt

While driving or walking around, look for cars with lots of 8s or 6s. Tell them, "Hey, that driver wants to be super lucky!"

🛗 Elevator Detective

Next time you’re in a high-rise building or hotel, check the panel. See if the number 4 magically disappeared.

Written by KABE Learning team

We write articles to share the beauty of Chinese language and culture with global heritage families. Connect with us on social media for daily tips, quizzes, and language facts!

Lucky or Unlucky? The Secret Meanings Behind Chinese Numbers