The Luckiest Number in Chinese

Most Chinese learners may have learned numbers from basic Chinese lessons. Some can even count to ten thousand in Chinese. But do you know which number Chinese people like most?

The answer is EIGHT. In China, a car with 8 included on the license plate will be a hot one. On the car's license plate, if there are lots of 8, and undoubtedly, this would be the best license plate number in China and people will pay large amounts of money for these types of license plates.

When Chinese people choose a phone number, a room number etc, they tend to choose those that contain the number “8”. As you may recall, the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games began at 8 o'clock in the evening on August, 8th. In fact, the exact start time was 8 minutes and 8 seconds past 8 or 8:08:08 on 8/8/2008.

Why is that? Why does the number ‘8’ has so much reputation. That's because Chinese people believe "8" to be an auspicious number. In Chinese, the number "8 (bā)" has similar pronunciation with the word "发 (fā) to be lucky or gain wealth.” 

Eight has long been the most popular number in China. Throughout China's long history, Chinese have filled their lives with this number through architecture, literature, politics and their system of values. Today this number has become even more popular. We can see "8" everywhere. People use this number to show their wishes and hopes for a great future.

Another usage of 8 is on the internet. Nowadays all that people want is convenience and ease, hence the birth of a popular Chinese phrase “88”. If you have learned pinyin, you will know 88 sounds pretty similar to the English word “bye-bye”. Most young people would use 88 instead of typing the “long” spelling “bye-bye” when they chat with their friends through text messages.