HSK 1

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

八个人。
Bā gè rén.
Eight people.
这是八。
Zhè shì bā.
This is eight.
我有八个。
Wǒ yǒu bā gè.
I have eight.
我有八本新书。
Wǒ yǒu bā běn xīn shū.
I have eight new books.
她将在八点钟到达。
Tā jiāng zài bā diǎn zhōng dàodá.
She will arrive at eight o'clock.

💡 Memory Tip

The character 八 looks like two lines diverging, which can remind you of something splitting into two parts. Think: splitting something once gives you two, and splitting those again gives you four, and once more gives you eight (2 -> 4 -> 8).

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral and used identically in both formal and informal contexts, as well as in spoken and written Chinese. It is most commonly used for counting, telling time, stating dates, ages, and quantities.

📖 Grammar Points

It functions as a cardinal number and can be used directly before a measure word (e.g., 八个人 - eight people) or nouns related to time/order (e.g., 八楼 - eighth floor). It follows the standard Chinese number grammar rules.

🏯 Cultural Notes

The number eight is considered extremely lucky in Chinese culture because its pronunciation (bā) is similar to 发 (fā) in 发财 (fācái - to get rich). It is often favored in phone numbers, license plates, and wedding dates.

🔄 Similar Words

As a basic numeral, it is part of a set (一, 二, 三...). It differs from other numbers only in value. In some dialects or old pronunciations, it can sound similar to 发 (fā - to prosper), leading to cultural associations.

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