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March 24, 2026
五wǔ(wu3)
The character 五 (wǔ) represents the number five in Mandarin. It is commonly used in counting, mathematics, and daily life to indicate quantity. Additionally, it can be a surname, albeit less frequently encountered than its numerical usage.
Strokes4Radical二Frequency#563DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the number five is associated with the five elements (木, 火, 土, 金, 水) in philosophy, representing balance and harmony in nature. This cultural significance makes understanding the number important beyond just its numerical value.
Memory Tip
Imagine a hand with five fingers spread wide apart, representing the number five. The shape of the character 五 resembles a hand with its fingers, helping you remember both its meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 五
wǔ(wu3)
1five
25
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 五 means.
About 五
五Simplified
4Strokes
二Radical
数词shùcínumeral (num.)Part of Speech
#563Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 五
Podcast: 五
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AI Study Notes for 五
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 五 with other numbers, particularly when counting. It is important to practice pronunciation to avoid mixing it up with similar-sounding characters. Common collocations include 五个 (five of something) and 五岁 (five years old).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 五 is foundational for learners. It connects to other numbers, such as 一 (one) and 二 (two), which are also essential for basic counting and arithmetic. Focus on pronunciation and recognizing its written form.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly write the character as 三 (three) due to its similar shape. Always remember that 五 has a flat top and is wider, while 三 has a more pointed top.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 五
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How Well Do You Know 五?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 五 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 五 (wǔ) represents the number five in Mandarin. It is commonly used in counting, mathematics, and daily life to indicate quantity. Additionally, it can be a surname, albeit less frequently encountered than its numerical usage.
When to use 五
Learners often confuse 五 with other numbers, particularly when counting. It is important to practice pronunciation to avoid mixing it up with similar-sounding characters. Common collocations include 五个 (five of something) and 五岁 (five years old).
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly write the character as 三 (three) due to its similar shape. Always remember that 五 has a flat top and is wider, while 三 has a more pointed top.
Write 五
五
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Practice writing 五 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 五
五 functions as a number. It almost always combines with a measure word before a noun (三个人, 五本书). Standalone numbers are rare outside of math or counting. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
