Chinese · Numbers & Time

jiǔ

Nine

Beginnernumeral

Definition

The number nine.

Example

商店九点开门。

The shop opens at nine.

Etymology

'九' (jiǔ) dates back to ancient numeral representations in scripts like oracle bone writing, where it signified the concept of nine. The structure has preserved its form throughout history.

How & Where It’s Used

'九' is widely used in both spoken and written contexts in Chinese, pertinent to both formal and informal discourse, especially in counting.

Watch “Nine” pronunciation on YouTube
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