6 in Chinese = 六 (liù)

The number 6 in Chinese is pronounced "lee-oh" (with a falling tone on the "oh"), written in pinyin as "liù", and the character is 六.

Quick Answer

Pronunciation

Liù (六) uses Mandarin's fourth tone—the "falling tone." Your voice starts high and drops sharply down.

Step by step:

1. Start at a high pitch
2. Say "lee" at that high pitch
3. Drop your voice sharply as you say "oh"
4. The whole sound is "lee-oh" with a decisive downward motion on the "oh"

Think of it like giving a firm command—the falling tone should be quick and strong.

Common mistakes:

• Pronouncing it as one syllable like "leo"—it should be two distinct sounds: "lee" + "oh"
• Not making the falling tone sharp enough on the "oh" part
• Rising at the end instead of falling
• Pronouncing it like English "loo"—it needs both the "lee" and "oh" sounds

The Character 六

The Chinese character 六 consists of four strokes forming a distinctive shape with a roof-like top. While it doesn't visually represent "six," it's a recognizable and relatively simple character.

In traditional Chinese, you'll see the same character 六. This character is identical in simplified and traditional forms.

Cultural Significance: A Lucky Number

Six is considered a lucky number in Chinese culture.

Why is 6 lucky? The number 六 (liù) sounds similar to 流 (liú), which means "flow" or "smooth." This phonetic connection gives 6 positive associations with smooth progress and everything going well.

The phrase "六六大顺" (liù liù dà shùn): This means "everything goes smoothly" or "great success." It's commonly used as a blessing, especially during Chinese New Year or for business ventures.

Real-world impact:

• Business: Companies like phone numbers, addresses, and license plates with 6
• Dates: June 6 (6/6) is considered an auspicious date for weddings and business openings
• Gifts: Giving gifts in multiples of 6 is seen as bringing good fortune
• Prices: You'll often see prices ending in 6 (like 66, 166, 666) because they're considered lucky
• Phone numbers: Numbers with multiple 6s (especially 666) are highly desirable

Internet culture:

• 666 has become internet slang in Chinese gaming and online culture, used to express admiration (like "awesome!" or "pro!")
• Typing "666" is a way to compliment someone's skills

Practical Usage

Counting: When counting objects, 六 is used with measure words:

• 六个 (liù gè) = six (general items)
• 六本书 (liù běn shū) = six books
• 六杯茶 (liù bēi chá) = six cups of tea

Prices:

• 6元 = 六块 (liù kuài) - in spoken Chinese
• 60元 = 六十元 (liù shí yuán)
• 600元 = 六百元 (liù bǎi yuán)
• 666元 = 六百六十六元 (liù bǎi liù shí liù yuán) - a particularly lucky price!

Times and dates:

• 6:00 = 六点 (liù diǎn)
• June = 六月 (liù yuè)
• Saturday = 星期六 (xīng qī liù)
• The 6th day = 六号 (liù hào)

Special dates:

• June 6 (6/6) is especially auspicious
• Many couples choose this date for weddings

Regional Variations

The pronunciation of 六 (liù) remains consistent across Mandarin-speaking regions, but other Chinese dialects have their own pronunciations:

Cantonese: luk⁶ (sounds like "look") Hokkien/Taiwanese: la̍k Shanghainese: loq

If you're in mainland China, Taiwan, or Singapore speaking Mandarin, stick with liù.

Common Phrases with 6

第六 (dì liù): Sixth, number six

六月 (liù yuè): June

六一 (liù yī): June 1st, Children's Day in China

六六大顺 (liù liù dà shùn): Everything goes smoothly, great success

三十六计 (sān shí liù jì): The 36 stratagems (famous Chinese strategic treatise)

身怀六甲 (shēn huái liù jiǎ): To be pregnant (traditional euphemism)

六神无主 (liù shén wú zhǔ): At a loss, completely flustered (literally "six spirits have no master")

Quick Takeaways

• 6 in Chinese is 六 (liù) with a falling fourth tone
• It's pronounced like "lee-oh" with a sharp downward tone on the "oh"
• Six is a lucky number because it sounds like "flow/smooth"
• "六六大顺" (666) means everything goes smoothly
• Businesses and individuals prefer phone numbers and addresses with 6
• June 6 is considered an especially auspicious date
• In online culture, 666 is used to express "awesome!" or admiration
• Gifts in multiples of 6 are considered fortunate

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If you're in China and want to understand lucky numbers in context, TravelNum shows you exactly how numbers are used and perceived in Chinese culture.