To be fair, zero is a complicated number
this post was submitted on 29 Apr 2024
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wdym complicated? it's easy!
壹貳參肆伍陸柒捌玖拾 see? easy!
For everyone who don't know, this is the complicated version of Chinese numbers. In modern days, they are mostly used in writing cheques, because these characters are not as easily modified as the simple version.
How do they decide what the complicated character for 7 should be? Why does it include the symbol of a tree? Can natives derive the meaning of a new symbol by its components or are they just as clueless as we are until they learn the word?
Even as a Hongkonger myself, I have no idea. We just see these characters as ancient numbers.
Also, if you write 柒 in an informal context, it is considered offensive.
The character used to refer to a type of tree sap, but shares the same pronounciation as 七. I'm guessing the reason it's considered offensive is because the top component implies ejaculation, but that's something I'd need to check!
Traditional chinese. It scares me.
Nope, these are bank numerals for banknotes and checks
Which is also traditional Chinese ...
No. The two, three, and six are different between simplified and traditional:
貳 | 贰
參 | 叁
陸 | 陆
Damn, didnt know that, thx