How to say “nine (9)” in Chinese
Pinyin colour key: tone 1 (high flat), tone 2 (rising), tone 3 (dipping), tone 4 (falling), neutral.
Word by word
Tone tip
九 (jiǔ, third tone) sounds the same as 酒 (jiǔ, alcohol) - both dip low. It is a lucky number, sounding like 久 (jiǔ, 'long-lasting').
In a sentence
商店九点开门。
Shāngdiàn jiǔ diǎn kāimén.
The shop opens at nine.
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Start freeFrequently asked questions
How do you say "nine (9)" in Chinese?+
"nine (9)" in Mandarin Chinese is 九, pronounced jiǔ. 九 (jiǔ, third tone) sounds the same as 酒 (jiǔ, alcohol) - both dip low. It is a lucky number, sounding like 久 (jiǔ, 'long-lasting').
What does 九 mean literally?+
九 breaks down as 九 (jiǔ) = nine. Together it means "nine (9)".
How do I get the tones right in jiǔ?+
九 (jiǔ, third tone) sounds the same as 酒 (jiǔ, alcohol) - both dip low. It is a lucky number, sounding like 久 (jiǔ, 'long-lasting').
More phrases like this
Master the tones behind it
What each tone sounds like and why it matters.
Why some tones change in connected speech.
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