number HSK 1
fourteen · 14
Meaning
十四 is the number fourteen in Mandarin Chinese. It is formed by combining 十 (ten) and 四 (four), following the standard pattern for forming numbers 11-99 in Chinese. The number is pronounced with both characters retaining their original tones.
Usage
Used exactly like the English number fourteen in counting, dates, ages, addresses, and quantities. Note that in some regions, the number four is considered unlucky because 四 sounds similar to 死 (death), so some buildings skip the 14th floor.
Examples
- 01我今年十四岁。.I am fourteen years old this year.
- 02今天是十月十四号。.Today is October 14th.
Characters
Measure words
- 个十四个人
Common collocations
- 十四号the 14th (date), number 14
- 十四岁fourteen years old
- 十四天fourteen days
Origin
Formed by the additive combination of 十 (ten) plus 四 (four), following the basic Chinese number system dating back thousands of years.