Hanzi Now
CharactersIdiomsChinese NameFlashcards
Tools

Visual content

  • Chinese Text Image GeneratorCreate PNGs with pinyin, highlight character parts or remove strokes
  • Stroke Order AnimatorTurn a Chinese character or sentence into a GIF or MP4
  • Character Highlight AnimatorChoose character parts and animate their colors, together or in stroke order
  • Chinese Text Morph AnimatorTurn one Chinese character, word or phrase into another; download SVG, MP4 or WebM

Audio content

  • Chinese Text to SpeechRead Chinese aloud with karaoke highlighting

Teaching materials

  • Writing WorksheetsPrintable tracing sheets with a QR learning companion
  • Bingo CardsPicture and word Bingo for your class
  • Picture WorksheetsChinese and English fill-in vocabulary worksheets

Other

  • Pinyin GeneratorConvert Chinese text to pinyin with tone marks
  • Chinese Zodiac CalculatorFind your animal sign from your birth date and make a zodiac card.
  • Chinese Word CounterCount characters, words and sentences in Chinese text
View all tools →
九 Chinese character image - Hanzi Now
九 Chinese character image - Hanzi Now
九 Chinese character image - Hanzi Now
九 Chinese character image - Hanzi Now
九 Chinese character image - Hanzi Now
九 Chinese character image - Hanzi Now
九 Chinese character image - Hanzi Now
九 Chinese character image - Hanzi Now
九 Chinese character image - Hanzi Now
九 Chinese character image - Hanzi Now
九 Chinese character image - Hanzi Now

九 Stroke Order — How to Write 九

Stroke Order

九 is written in 2 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 乙, then complete the remaining strokes.

Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.

九 Radical and Character Components

Components:丿乙

九 is a pictograph. An elbow.

Radical: 乙 + 1 more stroke

九 Pronunciation and Pinyin

  • jiǔ

Meanings of 九 in Chinese

1

jiǔ九

The number nine (eight plus one), often represented by '玖' on banknotes and documents; used in phrases like 'jiǔ guī' (multiplication/division formulas).
这件事对他来说真是九牛一毛。
This matter is a mere drop in the bucket for him.
Refers to a large or indefinite number of times or things; numerous; often used in idioms to express extreme or extensive situations.
他把烦恼抛到九霄云外,尽情享受假期
He cast his worries aside, completely enjoying his vacation.

Common Words and Phrases with 九

1
jiǔ九bīn宾
The most solemn etiquette in ancient diplomacy, involving nine officials receiving and guiding distinguished guests to the palace.
为了迎接远道而来的文化使者,学院特意安排了如同九宾般的隆重礼仪。
To welcome the cultural envoy from afar, the academy specially arranged a grand ceremony, akin to the ancient 'Jiubin' protocol.
2
jiǔ九dà大háng行xīng星
The nine major celestial bodies in the solar system, including Pluto, that orbit the Sun.
在许多科幻作品中,主人公们经常梦想着探索太阳系的九大行星,希望能发现新的生命或奇特的自然景观。
In many science fiction works, protagonists often dream of exploring the nine planets of the solar system, hoping to discover new life or unique natural landscapes.
3
jiǔ九dǐng鼎
Jiuding (九鼎) refers to the nine ancient bronze tripods cast by Yu the Great, which served as a symbol of imperial authority and state power in ancient China. It is also used metaphorically to describe the great weight or importance of words.
他的承诺一诺千金,重逾九鼎,从不食言。
His promises are worth a fortune and carry more weight than the Nine Tripods; he never goes back on his word.
4
jiǔ九gōng宫
nine modes of ancient Chinese music
这位昆曲艺术家对九宫的掌握炉火纯青,他的演唱技巧让观众陶醉其中。
This Kunqu artist's mastery of the Jiugong system is exceptional, and his vocal performance deeply captivates the audience.
5
jiǔ九guī归
The abacus division rules.
为了提高珠算技能,小明正在努力背诵九归口诀。
To improve his abacus skills, Xiao Ming is diligently memorizing the Nine Divisions mnemonics.
6
jiǔ九huà华shān山
Jiuhua Mountain (Jiǔhuá Shān) is one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China, located in Qingyang County, Anhui Province. Its name, meaning 'Nine Glorious Mountains', comes from its nine peaks resembling lotus flowers.
九华山以其秀丽的自然风光和深厚的佛教文化吸引着众多游客和信众。
Mount Jiuhua attracts numerous tourists and devotees with its beautiful natural scenery and profound Buddhist culture.
7
jiǔ九jiǔ九guī归yī一
Ultimately, everything returns to its original state; in the final analysis.
市场潮流瞬息万变,但九九归一,消费者对品质的需求永远不变。
Market trends are constantly changing, but at the end of the day, consumers' need for quality remains constant.
8
jiǔ九mén门tí提dū督
Commander of the Nine Gates (of the capital city)
在许多历史题材的影视剧中,九门提督常常被塑造成威严且责任重大的形象。
In many historical TV dramas and films, the Grand Commandant of the Nine Gates is often portrayed as a dignified and highly responsible figure.
9
jiǔ九niú牛èr二hǔ虎zhī之lì力
Literally 'the strength of nine bulls and two tigers', it is a metaphor for immense or mighty force or power.
为了完成这项艰巨的任务,他费了九牛二虎之力。
To complete this arduous task, he put forth immense effort.
10
jiǔ九niú牛yī一máo毛
a drop in the ocean; an insignificant amount compared to a huge quantity.
这点钱对整个项目来说,简直是九牛一毛。
This small sum of money is merely a drop in the ocean for the entire project.
11
jiǔ九pài派
The nine tributaries of the Yangtze River, especially in the Hubei and Jiujiang regions; often used as a general reference to the Yangtze River itself.
九派汇入东流,承载着千年的历史与文化
The Jiupai converges and flows eastward, carrying millennia of history and culture.
12
jiǔ九pǐn品
Jiǔpǐn (nine ranks) was a system of official hierarchy in ancient China, classifying civil and military officials into nine main grades, from the highest (upper-upper) to the lowest (lower-lower).
在古代,官员的地位常以九品来划分,最低为九品,最高为一品。
In ancient times, the status of officials was often divided by the nine ranks, with the lowest being the ninth rank and the highest being the first rank.
13
jiǔ九qū曲huí回cháng肠
Jiǔqū-huícháng (literally 'nine winding intestines') is an idiom used to describe a feeling of deep sadness, depression, or a heavy heart due to worries and sorrow.
她独自一人在雨中漫步,心中九曲回肠,思念着远方的亲人。
She walked alone in the rain, her heart profoundly twisted with sorrow and longing for her distant loved ones.
14
jiǔ九quán泉
The netherworld; the underworld; the grave.
他常常去墓地看望父母,希望他们在九泉之下能够安息。
He often visits the cemetery to see his parents, hoping they can rest peacefully in the netherworld.
15
jiǔ九sǐ死yī一shēng生
a narrow escape from death; to have a close shave with death
在这次登山事故中,他九死一生,最终靠着顽强的意志力活了下来。
In this mountaineering accident, he had a narrow escape from death, ultimately surviving through sheer willpower.
16
jiǔ九tiān天
The Ninth Heaven; the highest part of the sky, symbolizing extreme height. In ancient Chinese mythology, heaven was believed to have nine layers.
这首诗词描绘了仙人驾云直上九天的景象,意境宏伟。
This poem depicts the scene of immortals riding clouds straight to the highest heavens, creating a magnificent artistic conception.

More words with 九

  • pái牌jiǔ九Pai Gow, Chinese dominoes
  • shù数jiǔ九count the nine nine-day periods of winter, nine periods of nine days following the winter solstice
  • chòu臭lǎo老jiǔ九The Stinking Ninth, stinking intellectual
  • lù陆jiǔ九yuān渊Lu Jiuyuan
  • jiú九diǎn点nine o'clock
  • jiǔ九jiāng江Jiujiang, Nine Rivers
  • jiǔ九shí十ninety
  • jiǔ九zhōu州Nine ancient provinces of China, Kyushu (a region of Japan)
  • chū初jiǔ九Initial Nine, First Nine
  • jiǔ九gè个yuè月nine months
  • jiǔ九shí十èr二ninety-two
  • dì第jiǔ九gè个ninth, the ninth
  • èr二shí十jiǔ九twenty-nine
  • jiǔ九gāi垓The whole world, Vast lands
  • jiǔ九xiāo霄the highest heaven, the ninth heaven
  • jiǔ九yuè月September, Sep
  • jiǔ九huán环Nine Rings, Nine-ring
  • jiú九diǎn点qián前before nine, by nine
  • jiǔ九shí十suì岁ninety, nineties
  • jiǔ九yí嶷shān山Jiuyi Mountains, Mount Jiuyi

Idioms with 九

  • jiǔ九biàn变shí十huà化undergo numerous changes
  • jiǔ九liú流rén人wù物people from all walks of life
  • jiǔ九liú流sān三jiào教various schools of thought and professions
  • jiǔ九nián年zhī之chǔ储nine years' reserves
  • jiǔ九niú牛yī一háo毫a drop in the ocean
  • jiǔ九quán泉zhī之xià下in the netherworld
  • jiǔ九shì世zhī之chóu仇deep-seated, long-standing hatred
  • jiǔ九sǐ死bù不huǐ悔No regrets even facing death many times
  • jiǔ九tiān天jiǔ九dì地poles apart; vastly different
  • jiǔ九tiān天lǎn揽yuè月aspire to achieve the impossible
  • jiǔ九tiān天xiān仙nǚ女celestial maiden or breathtaking beauty
  • jiǔ九wǔ五zhī之zūn尊the emperor's supreme position

Recommended tools

Chinese Text Image Generator

Create PNGs with pinyin, highlight character parts or remove strokes

Open the tool →

Bingo Cards

Picture and word Bingo for your class

Open the tool →

Writing Worksheets

Printable tracing sheets with a QR learning companion

Open the tool →

Stroke Order Animator

Turn a Chinese character or sentence into a GIF or MP4

Open the tool →

Questions about 九

What does 九 mean in Chinese?

九 (jiǔ) means “Refers to a large or indefinite number of times or things; numerous; often used in idioms to express extreme or extensive situations” in Chinese.

How do you pronounce 九?

九 is pronounced jiǔ in Mandarin Chinese.

How many strokes does 九 have?

九 has 2 strokes.

How do you write 九?

九 is written in 2 strokes, starting from the radical 乙. See the animated stroke order on this page.

What is the radical of 九?

The radical of 九 is 乙, and 九 is a pictograph.

Hanzi Now

Explore the charm of Chinese language

Explore

  • Characters
  • Idioms
  • Chinese Names
  • Flashcards

Tools

  • Chinese Text Image Generator
  • Stroke Order Animator
  • Character Highlight Animator
  • Bingo Cards
  • Picture Worksheets
  • All Tools

More

  • Blog
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
© 2026 Hanzi NowContact Us
  • Illustration for 九
    jiǔ九
    nine

    Flashcards for 九

    Review 九 with pictures

    Customize the text, then download or print your card.

    Open flashcard ↗
Browse all flashcards →