九 (jiǔ) — nine
HSK 1 | number | the digit nine; associated with longevity and imperial power
九 (jiǔ)
The number nine; 九 sounds like 久 (jiǔ, long-lasting), making it a symbol of longevity and permanence in Chinese culture. The Forbidden City has 9,999 rooms, and the emperor wore robes adorned with nine dragons.
Meanings
- [number] Nine, the digit 9.
Example Sentences
我昨晚工作到九点。 Wǒ zuówǎn gōngzuò dào jiǔ diǎn. I worked until nine o'clock last night.
他九岁的时候来到中国。 Tā jiǔ suì de shíhou lái dào Zhōngguó. He came to China when he was nine years old.
九月的北京天气非常好。 Jiǔ yuè de Běijīng tiānqì fēicháng hǎo. The weather in Beijing in September is excellent.
这道菜需要九种材料。 Zhè dào cài xūyào jiǔ zhǒng cáiliào. This dish requires nine kinds of ingredients.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 九个 (jiǔ gè) | nine (general) |
| 九月 (Jiǔ yuè) | September |
| 九十 (jiǔshí) | ninety |
| 九点 (jiǔ diǎn) | nine o'clock |
| 第九 (dì jiǔ) | ninth (ordinal) |
| 九九 (jiǔjiǔ) | double nine, symbolizing long life |
Memory Hook
九 (jiǔ) sounds like "jyo," which rhymes with "Joe." Picture a wise old man named Joe who has lived for nine decades, and everyone wishes him a long life of 九九 (jiǔjiǔ — everlasting).