九
今天是九月九日。
Today is the ninth day of the ninth month.
The cardinal number between eight and ten; 9.
他有九个苹果。
He has nine apples.
九乘以三等于二十七。
Nine multiplied by three equals twenty-seven.
In Chinese culture, the number nine is associated with longevity and eternity due to its pronunciation similarity to the word for 'long-lasting' (久).
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Remembering the pronunciation
The tone of 九 is the third tone (falling-rising), similar to the English word 'boy' but with a slight dip in pitch. Practice saying 'jiǔ' while lowering and then slightly raising your tone.
Gold Rule
Writing the character
The character 九 is written with a single horizontal stroke followed by a hook (一 then 丿). It is one of the simplest Chinese numerals to write.
Word Origin
The character 九 (jiǔ) is a pictogram representing a bent arm, symbolizing the number nine in ancient Chinese counting systems. It is one of the earliest numerals in oracle bone script.
Usage Notes
The number nine is considered auspicious in Chinese culture. It is often used in expressions of completeness or eternity (e.g., 九霄云外 'beyond the nine heavens').