Definitions
(numeral)
eight; 8
Etymology
Pictograph of two lines facing away from each other. The current meaning "eight" is a phonetic loan. The original meaning "separate" is now written as 別.
About
The character "八" originally represented the concept of division, as its form of two diverging strokes visually conveyed a sense of separation. Its earliest meanings were associated with splitting apart, but through historical linguistic processes, it was borrowed to represent the number eight. Structurally, it remains a simple character composed of two outward-slanting lines. In modern usage, it also acts as a phonetic component in various compound characters, such as "扒" or "趴", where it provides a sound cue rather than a semantic one.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我今年八岁了。
现在是八点钟。
八月是夏天。
这本书八块钱。
我们八点出发。
他买了八个苹果。
明天是八月八日。
这个房间有八平方米。