To cut, sever, or split apart.
The number seven (7); seventh in order. One horizontal stroke with a hooked vertical stroke slicing through it.
七
Common Usage & Traps
- 七天 — seven days
- 七月 — July
- 七个 — seven (of something)
- 七点 — seven o'clock
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七人七个人Chinese requires a measure word (个) between a number and a noun; omitting it sounds incomplete.
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七号七号 (correct for dates) but not for counting items七号 is fine for dates (the 7th), but for counting objects you need 七个, not 七号.
How do I avoid confusing 七 (qī) and 十 (shí) in speech?
七 has a flat high tone (first tone), while 十 has a rising tone (second tone).
七 (qī) is pronounced with a high, steady pitch. 十 (shí) starts lower and rises. In fast speech, they can sound similar, but the tone difference is key. Also, 七 is used for the number 7, while 十 means 10.
| Dimension | 七 (qī) | 十 (shí) |
|---|---|---|
| Tone | First tone (high flat) | Second tone (rising) |
| Meaning | 7 | 10 |
| Common mistake | Saying qī with a rising tone | Saying shí with a flat tone |
Can I use 七 alone to mean 'seven' in any context?
Yes, 七 can stand alone as a number, but it often needs a measure word when counting nouns.
七 can be used completely on its own in counting (e.g., 一、二、三、四、五、六、七). However, when referring to a quantity of something, you must add a measure word like 个 (e.g., 七个人). In dates and times, it combines directly with 月, 号, 点, etc.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Counting | 七 | 七 (alone before noun) |
| With measure word | 七个苹果 | 七苹果 |
| In dates | 七月七号 | 七月份七号 (redundant) |
Appears in Stories 12 stories
This heartwarming story reveals the quiet devotion of a father. As you read, notice the repeated actions and how a simple cup of tea becomes meaningful.
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老先生天天都坐在 七号 桌子前。
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一天晚上，大中去 七号 桌子前。
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他天天晚上九点下班，我坐在 七号 桌子前看他。
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七号 桌天天是您的。
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老先生坐在 七号 桌子前，喝了第一口热茶。
Follow a traveler's unexpected hospital stay in China, where counting days and costs becomes practical learning. Practice numbers, dates, food prices, and simple descriptions of a doctor and room.
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二零一九年，八月十六日，回国 第七 日，生病第一天。
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休息两星期， 七天 住医院医生人很好，房间大漂亮。
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饺子 七 块五，包子五块三。
This rhythmic poem helps you practice numbers from one to ten and larger units. Listen to the beat and count along!
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七八九 ，十零百。
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七十五 ，八百三，九千四，六万一。
Meet Dr. Mi, a doctor and teacher at Sichuan University. This simple HSK 1 story shows his daily routine from morning to night, helping you learn time expressions and everyday activities.
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他早上 七点 十分开车去学校，四十五分钟能到学校。
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休息一下儿，晚上 七点 ，他吃晚饭。
Join a family on a sweltering Beijing Sunday as a boy learns a funny lesson about playing outside in the summer heat. Perfect for HSK 1 learners.
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现在是北京的 七月 ，天气很热。
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我和我爱人在北京 七月 的下午两点，坐上车和儿子去学校。
This playful poem helps you count and practice vocabulary about clothes, students, and pets. Enjoy the rhythm while learning new words.
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六七个 男学生， 七八个 女同学，八九个好朋友。
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买了五只小猫， 七百零五 块钱。
This playful poem turns numbers into a rhythm of daily life. As you read, practice counting, days of the week, and common time words in a fun, memorable way.
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六 七 八九十，昨天星期四；十四是十四，四十是四十。
Before you read, try clapping the rhythm. This poem introduces the days of the week and a fun secret: Chinese has two names for Sunday, but no 'Week Seven'!
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星期没有“ 星期七 ”，还有一天星期日。
This simple HSK 2 story introduces a warm family of six. Follow Little Bao and his British wife as they raise their two green-eyed children, each with their own personality.
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小包的女儿 七 岁，儿子五岁。
Welcome! This short poem helps you practice the months, weekdays, and mealtimes in Chinese. Read it aloud and notice the rhythm. You already know many of these words!
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六月 七八月 ，九十十一月。
Read this short story about people waiting in the rain for a new phone. You will practice numbers, time, and everyday vocabulary.
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苹果十九很贵， 八千七百多 块钱。
Ever noticed how similar Chinese words can be? This rhyme plays with place names and homophones, from schools to hotels, even throwing in Samsung's origin. A lighthearted way to boost your word power.
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星期哪 七星 ？
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