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seven

2 strokes · 一 (one radical) · HSK 1

Where 七 comes from

七 was originally a horizontal line crossed by a vertical cut — the picture of 'to cut'. It was borrowed for the sound 'seven', and the original cutting meaning moved to a new character, 切 (qiē, to cut). The little crossing cut is still visible.

七 in Chinese culture

Seven has mixed luck. It's tied to the Qixi Festival (七夕), the Chinese Valentine's Day, when the cowherd and weaver-girl stars meet once a year — so 七 can be romantic. But the seventh lunar month is the Ghost Month, when spirits roam, giving 7 a spookier side too.

Example

七个 qī gè — seven (of something)

七月七号。
Qīyuè qī hào.
July 7th.

How to remember it

A line with a cutting stroke through it — once 'cut', borrowed for SEVEN.

七夕 (the 'Seventh Eve') is China's Valentine's Day — the one night a year two star-crossed lovers reunite across the Milky Way. 七 carries that romance.

Same sound, different tones

1st qī
seven
2nd qí
even / neat
3rd qǐ
to rise
4th qì
air / breath

Words unlocked by 七

七个 qī gè
seven (of something)
七月 qīyuè
July
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