六 (liù) - six & the number six

六Tone 4

liù ｜ 4 strokes ｜ radical: 亠

林伦

六 · liù

six;

the number six;

sixth in order;

a surname.

sixthe number sixsixth in order

Usage highlights

sixJunesix o'clocksixthsixteensixty

Synonyms

  • 陆— six (financial form)

Antonyms

  • 一— one
  • 九— nine (at opposite end of small number scale)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • There are six people in my family (六个人).
  • I will arrive at six o'clock (六点).
  • June is the sixth month (六月).
  • The Six Arts were core subjects in ancient China (六艺).

Collocations

  • six(六)
  • June(六月)
  • six o'clock(六点)
  • sixth(第六)
  • sixteen(十六)
  • sixty(六十)

Idioms

  • In a hopeless situation(六神无主)
  • The six roots are pure(六根清净)
  • Three heads and six arms(三头六臂)
  • The six directions (上下四方)(六合)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, six is considered a lucky number, symbolizing smoothness and success.
  • The 'Six Arts' (六艺) formed the basis of education in ancient China: rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics.
  • The 'Six Harmonies' (六合) refer to the six directions: north, south, east, west, up, and down, symbolizing the universe or the world.

FAQ