nuMberS
6.8
To find out how much of a discount there is, you can ask:
打几折？/打幾折？
Dǎ jǐ zhé?
How much discount is there?
C 28
6.7 Lucky and unlucky numbers
Some numbers have special significance in Chinese based on their value in traditional Chinese
numerology or because they are near-homophones with a word with positive or negative con-
notations. Here are some numbers with special significance.
Numbers with negative connotations – unlucky numbers
四 sì (near homophone with 死 sǐ ‘to die’)
五 wǔ (near homophone with 无/無 wú ‘nothing’)
Numbers with positive connotations – lucky numbers
六 liù (near homophone with 留 liú ‘remain, leftover/excess’)
八 bā (near homophone with 发/發 fā ‘prosperity’)
The special significance of odd and even numbers
- 单号/單號 dānhào ‘odd numbers.’ Odd-numbered items are appropriate for funerals and
other sad occasions.
- 双号/雙號 shuānghào ‘even numbers.’ Even-numbered items (except for the number 4)
are appropriate for weddings and other happy occasions.
6.8 Numbers used in phrases and expressions
Numbers, especially sequential numbers, are often used in Chinese phrases.
1’s and 2’s
一清二楚
yī qīng èr chǔ
perfectly clearly
他说得一清二楚。
他說得一清二楚。
Tā shuō de yī qīng èr chǔ.
He said it perfectly clearly.
3’s and 4’s
张三李四
張三李四
Zhāng Sān Lǐ Sì
John Doe and Mary Smith (ordinary people)
不三不四
bù sān bù sì
neither here nor there, questionable, no good
