九 (jiǔ) - nine & many

九Tone 3

jiǔ ｜ 2 strokes ｜ radical: 乙

傑君

九 · jiǔ

nine;

many;

numerous;

the ninth in order;

a long time.

ninemanynumerous

Usage highlights

nineninthninetySeptembernine provincesnine heavens

Synonyms

  • 玖— capital form of nine (used in financial contexts)

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • There are nine students in the classroom (九个学生).
  • September is the ninth month (九月).
  • He has been waiting for a long time (等了很久).
  • The nine-tailed fox is a mythical creature (九尾狐).

Collocations

  • nine(九)
  • ninth(第九)
  • ninety(九十)
  • September(九月)
  • nine provinces(九州)
  • nine heavens(九天)

Idioms

  • Nine oxen and one feather(九牛一毛)
  • Nine deaths and still alive(九死一生)
  • Three teachings and nine schools(三教九流)
  • Nine bends and eighteen turns(九曲十八弯)
  • Ten rooms, nine empty(十室九空)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, nine is the largest single-digit number and symbolizes completeness and eternity.
  • Associated with the emperor and imperial power, as seen in the Nine Dragon Wall and the nine grades of officials.
  • Represents the concept of 'many' or 'numerous' in idioms and expressions.

FAQ