Chinese word

八

Pronunciation

Pinyinbā

Meaning

  • numbereight

Example

现在是八点。xiàn zài shì bā diǎn

It's eight o'clock now.

Illustration for 八 (eight)

More examples

我有八个苹果。wǒ yǒu bā gè píng guǒ

I have eight apples.

Core concept

A compact sign for eight units, whether in a count or on a clock.

Common phrases

  • 八点bā diǎn

    eight o'clock

  • 八月bā yuè

    August

  • 八个bā gè

    eight items

Similar words

七qī: Used for seven units in a count, seven o'clock, or an amount before a measure word.
九jiǔ: Used for nine units in a count, nine o'clock, or an amount before a measure word.
六liù: Used for six units in a count, six o'clock, or an amount before a measure word.
十shí: Used for ten units in a count, ten o'clock, or an amount before a measure word.

Definition in Chinese

表示数字八，是基数词，用于计数、表示时间（如八点）和与量词连用表示数量。biǎo shì shù zì bā shì jī shù cí yòng yú jì shù biǎo shì shí jiān rú bā diǎn hé yǔ liàng cí lián yòng biǎo shì shù liàng

Word origin

The shape of 八 (bā, "eight") comes from two lines spreading apart, while its numerical meaning developed when the character was used to represent the number eight.

Usage tips

  • Chinese places a number before the time word or measure word, so the same number pattern works for an hour and for a counted group.

Word lists with this word