Chinese word

九

Pronunciation

Pinyinjiǔ

Meaning

  • numbernine

Example

现在是九点。xiàn zài shì jiú diǎn

It is nine o'clock now.

Illustration for 九 (nine)

More examples

我有九个苹果。wǒ yǒu jiǔ gè píng guǒ

I have nine apples.

Core concept

The counting value that fills the space between eight and ten and can label a quantity, time, or age.

Common phrases

  • 九个jiǔ gè

    nine items

  • 九点jiú diǎn

    nine o'clock

  • 九月jiǔ yuè

    September

  • 九岁jiǔ suì

    nine years old

Similar words

十shí: A numeral representing ten, used for counting and for stating a time, age, or amount.
一yī: A numeral representing one, used for counting and for stating a time, age, or amount.
二èr: A numeral representing two, used for counting and for stating a time, age, or amount.

Definition in Chinese

表示十之前的自然数九，用于计数、表示时间、年龄等具体数值。biǎo shì shí zhī qián de zì rán shǔ jiǔ yòng yú jì shù biǎo shì shí jiān nián líng děng jù tǐ shù zhí

Word origin

九 (jiǔ, "nine") developed from an early hook-like character form rather than from separate characters for smaller numbers.

Usage tips

  • Chinese culture sometimes connects 九 (jiǔ, "nine") with longevity through its sound similarity to 久 (jiǔ, "lasting"), especially in birthday wishes.

Related words

  • 九十jiǔ shíninetynumber
  • 第九dì jiǔninthordinal number

Word lists with this word