Chinese Lucky Numbers: A Complete Guide
In Chinese culture, numbers carry deep symbolic meaning. Knowing which numbers are lucky can help with naming, choosing dates, and even picking phone numbers.
Why Numbers Matter in Chinese Culture
Chinese is a tonal language where many words share similar pronunciations. A number is considered lucky if it sounds like a word with positive meaning (homophony). For example, 8 (bā) sounds like 发 (fā, fortune), making it the most sought-after number. This belief influences everything from wedding dates to real estate prices — buildings in China often skip the 4th floor entirely, similar to how Western buildings skip the 13th.
Lucky Numbers
Fortune, wealth, prosperity. The luckiest number in Chinese culture.
Smooth, flowing, everything goes well. 66 = pro-level skill in internet slang.
Eternal, long-lasting. Associated with the emperor and longevity.
Numbers to Avoid
Death. Avoided in floor numbers, phone numbers, and gifts. Never give gifts in sets of four.
Lucky Number Combinations
Combinations multiply meaning: 88 (double fortune), 168 (一路发, fortune all the way), 520 (wǒ ài nǐ, I love you), 1314 (一生一世, forever). The sequence 888 is considered extremely auspicious — the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony started at 8:08:08 PM on 08/08/08.
How to Use Lucky Numbers
Use lucky numbers in your baby's name stroke count (name reading), wedding dates (8th of the month is most popular), business phone numbers (ending in 8 or 168), and home addresses. Our name reading tool automatically considers lucky number principles when generating Chinese name suggestions.
Try Our Name Reading Tool →자주 묻는 질문
- What is the luckiest number in Chinese culture?
- 8 (八, bā) is universally considered the luckiest number because it sounds like 发 (fā), meaning wealth, fortune, and prosperity.
- Why is 4 considered unlucky in China?
- 4 (四, sì) sounds almost identical to 死 (sǐ), meaning death. Many buildings in China skip floors 4, 14, 24, etc.
- Is 9 lucky in Chinese?
- Yes, 9 (九, jiǔ) sounds like 久 (jiǔ), meaning long-lasting or eternal. It's associated with the emperor and longevity.
- What does 6 mean in Chinese?
- 6 (六, liù) sounds like 溜 (liū), meaning smooth or flowing well. 66 means everything goes smoothly and is used as online slang for skill.
- What does 520 mean in Chinese?
- 520 (wǔ èr líng) sounds like 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ, I love you). May 20th (5/20) is celebrated as an informal Valentine's Day in China.