A simple roofed hut or ridgepole dwelling, later borrowed as a phonetic loan for the number six. The numeral six; a lucky, smooth-going number in Chinese culture, as in 六六大顺. A dot topping two wide slanted strokes, like a stylized "6" standing with legs apart.
For age, use 岁. 六年 means six years of duration, not how old someone is.
Dates go from big to small: month before day. 六号六月 sounds like the date is reversed.
时钟 means a physical clock. To tell time, Chinese uses 点, and 钟 can optionally follow 点 as 六点钟.
Age uses 岁, not 年; 六年 means six years of duration.
English says 'six years old,' so learners often grab 年 for age. Chinese counts age with 岁, a small word for years of life. Say 我六岁, not 我六年. Use 六年 only for how long something lasts, like 学中文六年了. It answers 'how long,' not 'how old.' “六岁上小学。” (At age six, they start primary school.) ── [《小大学和大小学》](/read/big-and-small-schools#s2)
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 六岁 | 六年 |
| Duration | 学中文六年了 | 学中文六岁了 |
Chinese dates go big to small: month before day.
Chinese dates run from big to small, starting with the month. The month comes first, then the day, then the specific date. For June 6, say 六月六号. English lets you say 'June 6' or '6 June,' but Chinese keeps one order. So 六号六月 sounds backward to native ears.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| June 6 | 六月六号 | 六号六月 |
| Full date order | 2026年6月6号 | 6号6月2026年 |
Both 六点 and 六点钟 are fine; 六点时钟 is the real mistake.
Both 六点 and 六点钟 are correct, so 钟 is not a grammar mistake. 六点 is common in schedules and appointments. 六点钟 sounds natural when you tell someone the time. The real error is 六点时钟, because 时钟 means a physical clock.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Telling time | 六点 / 六点钟 | 六点时钟 |
Yes, but 六人 sounds formal; casual speech prefers 六个人.
Numbers usually need a counting word before a noun. 六个人 is the normal spoken way to say six people. 六人 is also correct, but it sounds formal or written, like a news headline. In casual chat, 六个人 will always sound more natural.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday chat | 六个人 | 六人 (stiff) |
| News headline | 六人 | 六个人 (wordy) |
Real context sentences across different daily scenarios and graded readings.
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.
六 七八九十，昨天星期四；十四是十四，四十是四十。
This playful poem helps you count and practice vocabulary about clothes, students, and pets. Enjoy the rhythm while learning new words.
卖了 六 只小狗，四百零九元钱。
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!
星期一到 六 ，天天喜欢你。
This playful reading contrasts small universities and big primary schools. You will practice basic words for school levels and sizes while enjoying a simple rhythmic verse.
六 岁上小学。
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