What Is the Number 4 in Chinese and How Do You Say It

The number 4 in chinese uses the character 四, pronounced as sì with a falling tone. You say it like "suh" but your voice drops sharply. Knowing how to say 4 in chinese helps you with daily life, travel, or business in mandarin. You will often see 四 in dates, prices, and addresses. Coachers.org lets you learn chinese online with flexible lessons from anywhere in the world.

Key Takeaways

• The number 4 in Chinese is written as 四. It is said as 'sì' with a sharp falling sound.

• The character 四 looks like a box split into four parts. It is drawn with six strokes in a set order.

• Saying 'sì' right means you drop your voice quickly and strongly. This helps people not mix it up with other words.

• Many Chinese people stay away from the number 4. This is because it sounds like the word for death. So, it has a special meaning in their culture.

• You can use 四 every day for counting, telling time, and dates. If you put 第 before it, it means 'fourth'.

4 in Chinese: The Character

Four: Chinese Character

You see the character for four in Chinese as 四. This character looks different from other single-digit numerals. When you look at 一, 二, and 三, you notice they use simple horizontal lines. 四 stands out because it has a box shape with extra lines inside. The outer part looks like a square, and the inner strokes divide the space, almost like splitting a box into four sections.

The history of 四 goes back to ancient times. Early scripts used the character 亖, which showed four lines. People found it confusing when writing vertically, so the character changed. During the late Spring and Autumn period, writers added a box around the lines. This new form became standard in the Qin dynasty. The box comes from the character 口, meaning "mouth," and the dividing lines inside come from 八, which means "divide." The original meaning did not always relate to the number four, but the character evolved to represent it. This makes 四 unique among Chinese numbers.

Tip: When you learn Chinese numbers, notice how 四 uses more strokes and shapes than other single-digit numerals. This helps you remember it better.

Stroke Order

Writing 四 requires careful attention to stroke order. You follow these steps:

1. Draw the top horizontal line from left to right.

2. Draw the left vertical line downwards, connecting to the top line.

3. Draw the bottom horizontal line from left to right, connecting to the left vertical line.

4. Draw the right vertical line downwards, closing the box.

5. Inside the box, draw the first diagonal stroke of 八, starting from the top left and moving down to the right.

6. Draw the second diagonal stroke of 八, starting from the top right and moving down to the left.

You finish with six strokes. Practice each stroke slowly. Keep your lines straight and your angles sharp. Beginners often rush, but steady hands make the character clear.

Note: Coachers.org gives you interactive writing practice. You get feedback from expert coaches who help you improve your stroke order and character shape. This support makes learning Chinese writing easier and more fun.

Pronouncing Four in Chinese

Pinyin and Tone

You say the number four in chinese as "sì." The pinyin spelling uses the letter "i" with a grave accent, which shows you need to use the fourth tone. This tone is called the "falling tone." Your voice starts high and drops sharply, almost like you are saying "No!" in a firm way. The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) writes this tone as [sɨ˥˩]. You can see how the fourth tone compares to other tones in mandarin in the table below:

When you say "sì," make sure your voice drops quickly from high to low. This sharp fall makes the fourth tone sound different from the other tones in chinese.

Tip: Practice saying "sì" with a strong, quick drop in your voice. Imagine you are giving a short, firm answer.

Pronunciation Tips

You might find it tricky to tell "sì" (four) apart from other similar words in mandarin, like "shí" (ten). Here are some tips to help you:

• "sì" starts with a clear "s" sound, followed by a short, crisp "i."

• "shí" begins with a "sh" sound and uses a longer "i."

• The difference between "s" and "sh" is important. "s" sounds like the "s" in "see," while "sh" sounds like the "sh" in "shoe."

• If you mix up these sounds, you might ask for ten apples when you want four, or give a compliment that makes people laugh because the meaning changes.

To master the fourth tone and avoid mistakes, try these techniques:

Note: You can use audio resources or join live sessions on Coachers.org to hear native speakers and get feedback. Practicing with a coach helps you catch small mistakes and improve your pronunciation faster.

Using Four in Everyday Chinese

Example Sentences

You will see 4 in chinese used in many daily situations. When you talk about age, you add 岁 (suì) after the number. For example, 四岁 (sì suì) means "four years old." If you want to say the time, you use 四 with 点 (diǎn). So, 四点 (sì diǎn) means "four o'clock." You can also use 四 with measure words to count objects. For example, 四个苹果 (sì gè píngguǒ) means "four apples." When you talk about months, 四月 (sì yuè) means "April," the fourth month of the year.

Try these sentences:

• 我有四本书。 (Wǒ yǒu sì běn shū.) – I have four books.

• 他四岁。 (Tā sì suì.) – He is four years old.

• 现在是四点。 (Xiànzài shì sì diǎn.) – It is four o'clock.

• 我的生日在四月。 (Wǒ de shēngrì zài sì yuè.) – My birthday is in April.

Ordinal Numbers

You can turn four into "fourth" by adding 第 (dì) before the number. So, 第四 (dì sì) means "fourth." You use this in many situations, like talking about order or ranking. For example, 第四名 (dì sì míng) means "fourth place." If you want to say "the fourth lesson," you say 第四课 (dì sì kè).

You should know that the number four has a special meaning in chinese culture. Many people avoid it because it sounds like the word for "death" (死, sǐ). This superstition is strong in some places. You might notice that buildings skip the fourth floor or that people avoid using four in phone numbers and addresses. Important events, like weddings, often do not happen on dates with the number four.

Note: Personalized coaching helps you use numbers like four with confidence. With real-time feedback and practice, you learn to speak clearly and avoid mistakes. Coaches also teach you about cultural meanings, so you can use chinese numbers correctly in daily life and business. Coachers.org offers this kind of support, helping you master both language and culture.

Chinese Numbers Quick Reference

Numbers 0-10

Learning the numbers from 0 to 10 helps you build a strong base for speaking and understanding everyday conversations. You use these numbers to tell your age, count objects, give your phone number, or talk about time. When you know these basics, you can start to use more complex numbers and phrases with confidence.

Here is a quick reference table for numbers 0 to 10:

Tip: The number two can be tricky. You use 二 (èr) for counting and math, but you say 兩 (liǎng) when you count things with measure words, like "two books" (兩本書 liǎng běn shū). In phone numbers, you might hear 一 (yī) pronounced as 幺 (yāo) to avoid confusion with 七 (qī).

Many learners find it hard to remember numbers because of these special rules and the tones. You might mix up similar sounds or forget when to use each character. To help you remember, try these strategies:

1. Group numbers together and practice them as a set.

2. Use flashcards with spaced repetition to review often.

3. Practice saying numbers in real sentences, like "I have three apples" or "My phone number is...".

When you use these methods, you will remember numbers faster and feel more confident in conversation.

You have learned how to write, say, and use the number 4. Keep practicing so you get better and feel more sure of yourself. Coachers.org helps you learn with these things:

• You can join as many coaching sessions as you want. There are plans for every level.

• The teachers are experts. They have high-level training and have taught in real classrooms.

• You get feedback just for you, can see your progress, and join live online classes.

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FAQ

How do you write the number 4 in Chinese?

You write the number 4 as 四. The character looks like a box with lines inside. Practice the stroke order to make it clear and neat.

Tip: Use online tools or Coachers.org’s writing practice to improve your handwriting.

Why does the number 4 sound unlucky in Chinese culture?

Many people think 4 is unlucky because 四 (sì) sounds like 死 (sǐ), which means "death." You may see buildings skip the fourth floor or people avoid using 4 in phone numbers.

What is the difference between "sì" (four) and "shí" (ten)?

You must listen for the "s" and "sh" sounds and the tone.

Can I use the number 4 in business or formal settings?

You can use 4 in business, but some people may avoid it in important events or addresses. Always check local customs. Coachers.org teaches you how to use numbers correctly in professional situations.

How can I practice saying and writing Chinese numbers?

You can join live sessions, use flashcards, or practice with a coach. Coachers.org offers unlimited coaching, feedback, and interactive lessons to help you master numbers quickly.