Guide: How to Say “Six” in Chinese

Greetings! If you are interested in learning how to express the number “six” in Chinese, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to say “six” in Mandarin Chinese. While regional variations do exist, we will primarily focus on the standard Mandarin pronunciation. Let’s dive right in!

Formal Ways to Say “Six” in Mandarin Chinese

When it comes to formal situations, such as formal conversations, presentations, or addressing elderly individuals, it is important to use proper language. Here are some formal ways to say “six” in Mandarin Chinese:

1. 六 (Liù)

The most common and standard way to say “six” in Mandarin Chinese is by using the character “六” (Liù). It is pronounced as “lee-oh” using pinyin notation. This pronunciation is widely understood throughout the Mandarin-speaking regions.

2. 六个 (Liù gè)

In situations where you need to specify the quantity of six, such as counting objects, you can use “六个” (Liù gè), which means “six” followed by the measure word “个” (gè). For example, if you want to say “six books,” you would say “六个书” (Liù gè shū).

Informal Ways to Say “Six” in Mandarin Chinese

On the other hand, in casual conversations, with friends or peers, you can use more colloquial expressions to say “six” in Chinese. Let’s take a look at some informal ways:

1. 六啦 (Liù la)

This phrase is commonly used among friends to express the number “six.” The character “六” (Liù) remains the same, whereas “啦” (la) adds a colloquial flavor and emphasis to the pronunciation. It can be pronounced as “lee-oh la” in pinyin.

2. 六个咯 (Liù gè lā)

A similar expression to “六啦” (Liù la) is “六个咯” (Liù gè lā). The addition of “咯” (lā) at the end provides a more relaxed and colloquial tone, often heard among friends and acquaintances. It can be pronounced as “lee-oh guh la” in pinyin.

Examples and Tips

Now, let’s take a look at a few examples to help you grasp the usage and pronunciation of “six” in Chinese:

Example 1:
English: Six apples
Mandarin: 六个苹果 (Liù gè píngguǒ)
Pronunciation: Lee-oh guh ping-gwo

Example 2:
English: The 6th of June
Mandarin: 六月六日 (Liù yuè liù rì)
Pronunciation: Lee-oh yoo-eh lee-oh rrr

Example 3:
English: I have six cats
Mandarin: 我有六只猫 (Wǒ yǒu liù zhī māo)
Pronunciation: Wuh yo lee-oh jrr mao

Keep these additional tips in mind as you explore the Chinese language:

• If you’re unsure about the pronunciation, feel free to listen to Mandarin audio recordings or consult language-learning resources to hear the correct intonation.
• Remember to practice the tones, as the same syllable with different tones can indicate different words in Mandarin Chinese. For instance, “六” (Liù) with a rising tone means “flow,” while with a falling tone, it means “six.”
• Incorporate the informal expressions sparingly and adapt them based on the level of familiarity with your conversation partner, as using overly casual language in formal settings might be considered disrespectful.

With these examples, tips, and expressions in hand, you are well on your way to confidently saying “six” in Mandarin Chinese! Practice speaking aloud and engage in conversations with native speakers to further enhance your language skills. Enjoy your language-learning journey!