I need to start by coming right out and saying that I don’t believe in things being lucky or unlucky. Many things that appear to have come from luck just haven’t. Sometimes things go the way you hope, and other times they don’t go the way you hope. And bad things can just happen for no good reason. What you can do is put yourself in a position where you increase your chances of a good thing happening. That’s making your own luck.
2019-10-11
I’ve found that most countries have different ways of saying things in different areas of the country or in nearby countries. As an Australian, I can immediately detect a Kiwi (New Zealander) if they say “fish”, as I hear them say “fush” instead. We pronounce “tomato” like “tomarto” but the US folk say it like it’s “tomayto”. We say “banana” like “banarna” and they say it like “bananna”.
And of course the same thing happens in China.
2019-10-04
It’s really common nowadays for English speakers to use serious abbreviations when texting each other. Even the current anti-depression campaign is called R U OK?
In hacker parlance, words are designed to confuse people, like the ones used by the 1337 (i.e. the “leet” or “elite” in hacker parlance).
So you might wonder how this plays out in Chinese, with their much more complex character sets.
Turns out that there are some really interesting variations on this.
2019-09-27
This is the tenth in a series of posts where I’m looking at how the Chinese view numbers, often from a superstitious basis.
The Chinese character for nine (Jiǔ) is shown on the right hand side of the main image above.
The number nine is also a lucky number. Once again, that comes from the fact that it’s pronounced similarly to 久 (Jiǔ) which means “a long time”. In some contexts, it can mean “long lasting” or even “everlasting”. Because of the latter meaning, you’ll often hear it used in weddings.
2019-09-20
This is the ninth in a series of posts where I’m looking at how the Chinese view numbers, often from a superstitious basis.
The Chinese character for eight (Bā) is shown on the right hand side of the main image above.
The number eight is by far, the luckiest number.
It’s luck comes from it’s similar sound to 发(Fā) which is commonly used in 发财(Fā cái) which relates to good fortune. You’ll hear it in New Year greetings with 恭喜发财 (Gōngxǐ fācái).
2019-09-13
This is the eighth in a series of posts where I’m looking at how the Chinese view numbers, often from a superstitious basis.
The Chinese character for seven (Qī) is shown on the right hand side of the main image above.
The number seven is a bit of a mixed bag, in terms of positive and negative feelings.
Seven is considered good for relationships, particularly because it sounds like 起 (Qǐ) which means “to get up”. It also sounds like 气 (Qì) which can mean just something like “gas” but it often means “spirit” or “vital energy”.
2019-09-06
This is the seventh in a series of posts where I’m looking at how the Chinese view numbers, often from a superstitious basis.
The Chinese character for six (Liù) is shown on the right hand side of the main image above.
The number six is usually placed into the more lucky than not category in Chinese. Once again, that’s because it sounds like another word. The word 流 (Liú) is usually translated as “flow”. Mostly it’s in relation to things like streams.
2019-08-30
This is the sixth in a series of posts where I’m looking at how the Chinese view numbers, often from a superstitious basis.
The Chinese character for five (Wǔ) is shown on the right hand side of the main image above.
The number five is slightly on the lucky side of neutral in Chinese, where people believe there are five blessings: luck, prosperity, wealth, longevity, and happiness.
Similarly, it has been associated with the five elements: water, earth, fire, wood, and metal. There is some past association with emperors.
2019-08-23
This is the fifth in a series of posts where I’m looking at how the Chinese view numbers, often from a superstitious basis.
The Chinese character for four (Sì) is shown on the right hand side of the main image above.
Four is universally regarded as a bad number in Chinese culture. Once again, that’s because it sounds like other words.
In particular, four sounds like 死 (Sǐ) which means “death”. It’s similar in Cantonese where the word is sei, it’s the same issue. It’s considered an unlucky number because of this.
2019-08-16
This is the fourth in a series of posts where I’m looking at how the Chinese view numbers, often from a superstitious basis.
The Chinese character for three (Sān) is shown on the right hand side of the main image above. It’s three single lines (probably originally sticks).
Generally, the number three is regarded as a good number in Chinese culture. Many times, meanings of Chinese numbers are related to other words they sound like. While three doesn’t sound all that close to 生 (shēng), in Cantonese the word is sāang, which is much closer.
2019-08-09
