Chinese character for nine: 九 (jiǔ)
The Chinese character for nine is 九 (jiǔ). It means nine and appears in 九月 (jiǔyuè, September). Nine is linked with long life because 九 sounds like 久 (jiǔ, long-lasting), and it was the number of the emperor.
How 九 is built
九 is two strokes: a slanting stroke and a bent stroke with a hook. Its ancient form is often explained as a bent arm or elbow, borrowed for the number by sound; treat that as a memory aid. Because 九 sounds like 久 (long-lasting), it appears in wedding wishes and gifts, such as giving nine or ninety-nine roses. It is the same in simplified and traditional Chinese.
九 jiǔ · nine
- 丿 — falling stroke
- 乙yǐ — second
Origin hint: An elbow (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)
How 九 is used
Before you use it as a tattoo or design: 九 is identical in both scripts and suggests 'long-lasting', which makes it popular for couples.
Questions
What is the Chinese character for nine?
九 (jiǔ) means “nine”.
How do you pronounce 九?
九 is pronounced jiǔ.