五二零
wǔ èr línginternet, number code
Chinese speakers write "I love you" as the numbers 520, said 五二零 (wǔ èr líng). The sound is close to 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ), "I love you", so the number works as a playful secret message. It is also called 五二一 (wǔ èr yī) and 一三一四 (yī sān yī sì).
Meaning: number code for "I love you" (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 五二零 | wǔ èr líng | internet, number code |
| 五二一 | wǔ èr yī | internet, number code |
| 一三一四 | yī sān yī sì | "for a lifetime" |
People type 520 in chats and messages, and 521 is used the same way. Together they make a sweet text for a partner. The pair 5201314 adds 一三一四 (yī sān yī sì), which sounds like 一生一世 (yīshēng yīshì), "for one whole life".
Which one should you use?
The real words are 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ). The numbers are only an informal, cute code and are not used in formal speech.
When do people say it?
May 20 is written 5/20 and has become an informal "I love you day" in China, so the code is especially popular on that date.
Did you know?
- In Mandarin 五 (wǔ) sounds like 我 (wǒ) "I", 二 (èr) is close to 爱 (ài) "love", and 零 (líng) is close to 你 (nǐ) "you". That is how 520 reads as "I love you".
Examples in context
- 今天是五月二十日，五二零。jīntiān shì wǔ yuè èrshí rì, wǔ èr líng.Today is May 20, 520.
- 五二零一三一四。wǔ èr líng yī sān yī sì.I love you for a lifetime.
Example conversation
Chen sends a message to his girlfriend Yue on May 20 and she answers.
- Chen五二零！wǔ èr líng!520!
- Yue我也爱你！wǒ yě ài nǐ!I love you too!
- Chen一三一四。yī sān yī sì.For a lifetime.
