Chinese number slang: the complete beginner's guide

Chinese texters turn digits into words because typing numbers is fast and the tones don't have to match exactly — only the rough sound. Here are the families you'll see most.

Love codes

• 520 我爱你 — I love you. 521 — I'm willing / I love you (reply).
• 1314 一生一世 — for a lifetime; combined as 5201314.
• 530 我想你 — I miss you. 9420 就是爱你 — it's you I love.

Feelings

• 555 / 5555 呜呜 — crying. 7456 气死我了 — I'm furious. 687 对不起 — sorry.

Everyday chat

• 88 / 886 — bye-bye. 233 — LOL. 666 — awesome. 94 就是 — exactly. 918 加油吧 — go for it.

Work culture

• 996 — 9am–9pm, 6 days a week. 007 — always on. 1024 — Programmers' Day.

Handle with care

• 250 — fool. 748 — go to hell. 38 — a derogatory term for a gossipy woman. Avoid these in names, prices or gifts.

Browse all entries in the Number Slang Dictionary.