Chinese Numbers and their Double Meanings

Chinese Numbers and their Double Meanings

One of the really, exceptionally cool aspects of Chinese numbers is that each number sounds just like actual Chinese words.

Ever wonder why so many Chinese websites use a bunch of numbers as a domain name? Yes, those numbers usually mean something.

What exciting things can you do with this?

For one, when you are sending SMS on a cell phone with tapioca-sized buttons, you can tap out (with your sausage-sized digits) a quick sequence of numbers instead of clumsily punching out sentences one letter at a time.

You could also use these Chinese hand signals to get the idea across...just like the Chinese shoppers in the old times did. By concealing their hand signal in a sleeve, they could privately haggle and barter with merchants. If you really wanted to, you could discreetly say "I love you" to your Chinese girlfriend from the other side of the room.

Here are some examples of Chinese number phrases :

88

In Chinese, this sounds like"baa-baa". Which, and I know this is a bit of a stretch (actually, all of these are horrible stretches - and yet they are commonly accepted and understood) - it sounds like "bye-bye".

Next time you are chatting with your Chinese girlfriend online, and it's time to go...try saying"88".

520

In Chinese, 520 is pronounced like: "woo are neen". And again, a bit of a stretch here..."whoa eye knee" is "I love you".

Most people will clue in on the double meaning - some might not. This photo studio for engaged couples clearly gets it - check out their ad:

The price point is 520 Chinese dollars. Even their phone number, on the right, is520 with a few 8's thrown in for good fortune.

Here's a more obvious example. Check out the brand name of these Chinese cigarettes:

Can you find the hidden "I love you" in this Chinese city street?

1314

This sounds like a Chinese expression meaning from birth until death. You can use it to mean "forever" or "always".

Look again at the phone numbers in the advertisement above - did you spot the"forever"?

5201314

Now we're getting creative. Can you guess this one by looking closely at the previous two? Yup - it means I love you forever.

510

Here's a useful one - "I want you".

168

This sounds like "Pathway of Prosperity" or "Prosperous together". If you ever find a dollar with 168 in the serial number - it's a keeper! You might see Chinese coin shops selling those dollar bills for a small fortune.

If you want to see some more like this last one - check out these Chinese lucky numbers.

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