The Chinese character “七” is not just a number; it carries a wealth of meanings and cultural significance. Let’s explore its various uses:
Mandarin Pinyin: qī
Cantonese Pinyin: cat1
- Seventh Natural Number: “七” represents the seventh natural number. In uppercase, it is written as 「柒」, and in Arabic numerals, it is “7”.
- Quantity of Seven: It denotes a quantity of seven, such as 「七個」 (seven), 「七位」 (seven people), 「七步成詩」 (compose a poem in seven steps), and 「七情六欲」 (seven emotions and six desires).
- Traditional Mourning Rituals: In Chinese culture, after a person passes away, rituals are performed every seven days, up to seven times, known as 「做七」. Examples include 「頭七」 (first seven days) and 「二七」 (second seven days).
Additionally, the pronunciation of “七” can change in spoken language. When used before falling tones or light tones, it is pronounced with a rising tone, such as in 「七月」 (July) and 「七個」 (seven).
Understanding these diverse meanings can deepen your appreciation of the character “七” and its role in the Chinese language and culture.
