5.20 reads as 五二零(wǔ èr líng) in Chinese, which has a similar pronunciation of 我爱你(wǒ ài nǐ) I love you. That's why May 20th is the Chinese Internet Valentine's Day. Let's learn some more lucky numbers in Chinese!

Speaking about lucky numbers, you must know we Chinese people like number 8. But do you know why? 

That is because the pronunciation of number 8 in Cantonese is similar to the pronunciation of 发(fā), which means to become rich. And as the economy in Guangdong develops very fast after china opens up. The saying 8 symbolized getting rich soon became popular in most part of China.

It is a good example that shows how Chinese love the number 8 is the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The opening ceremony commenced exactly at 8 minutes and 8 seconds past 8 pm on the 8th August, the 8th month of the 8th year of the 21st century.

In choosing houses (apartment or floor number), phone numbers, or dates of events such as weddings, engagements, etc. there is a high preference for numbers with 8 in them.

Some number when they use together with 8, will create extra lucky. For example, May the 18th is a good day to open a new business. Because 518 sounds like 我要发(wǒyàofā). I’ll become rich! 

There is another lucky number in Chinese, 6. 6 pounced 六(liù), is considered lucky because it sounds like the word 溜(liù), which means to flow smoothly and can indicate smooth progress in life. 

We have a saying 六六大顺(liùliùdàshùn). 顺(shùn) is coming from the word 顺利(shùnlì) which means smoothly and successfully. 

In China, for online video games, when someone types “666”, it means he/she thought the player is very skillful and good at playing games.  

Besides 6 and 8, there are some other numbers in Chinese have special meaning. For example, 520 means I love you. Because 520 reads as 五二零(wǔ èr líng) which has a similar pronunciation of 我爱你(wǒ ài nǐ), which means I love you in Chinese.

233 means laughing in China, just like LOL in English. 

What is the lucky number in your country? Leave a message and also feel free to let me what other topics you want to know. 

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