number HSK 1
liù shí
sixty · 60

Meaning

六十 is the number sixty in Mandarin Chinese. It is formed by combining 六 (six) and 十 (ten), following the systematic pattern of Chinese number formation where numbers from 20-99 are constructed as multiples of ten plus units.

Usage

Used in all contexts where the number 60 appears, including counting, telling age, prices, and quantities. When referring to someone who is 60 years old, Chinese speakers often use 六十岁. In traditional culture, turning 60 has special significance as it marks the completion of one full cycle of the Chinese zodiac.

Examples

  1. 01
    我爷爷今年六十岁了。
    yéye jīnnián liù shí suì le.
    My grandfather is sixty years old this year.
  2. 02
    这件衣服六十块钱。
    Zhè jiàn yīfu liù shí kuài qián.
    This piece of clothing costs sixty yuan.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 六十
    liù shí suì
    60 years old
  • 六十
    liù shí kuài
    60 yuan
  • 六十年代
    liù shí nián dài
    the sixties (decade)
  • 六十
    liù shí fēn
    60 points/minutes

Origin

Formed by the standard Chinese number construction system where 六 (six) multiplies 十 (ten) to create sixty.

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