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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
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
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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Origin unclear. Originally an X between two lines.
1The giveawayFive elements (the cross with the extra stroke) between heaven 一 and earth 一
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 五? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 五?
Decomposition of 五
IDS Structure⿴二？
五Full Character
=
二er4
enclosing
Exercise 1 of 1
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 五?
How to say five in Chinese
“five” in Chinese is五wǔ
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.
