SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/zh-hand-eight

In China, what does a hand with the thumb pointing up and the index finger pointing sideways (like an L) mean?

Eight (八, bā).

Start playing free

  1. Two
  2. Eight ✔
  3. Seven

Why: The L shape looks a little like the character 八. Seven is the fingertips pinched together, and two is the index and middle fingers up.

Huh, didn't know that: Nine is a hook or 'c' shape made with the index finger and thumb.

The dad joke
I ordered eight dumplings with one hand and ate them with the other. Very efficient.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: Eight. The L shape looks a little like the character 八. Seven is the fingertips pinched together, and two is the index and middle fingers up.

  1. The Open University (OpenLearn), Beginners' Chinese taster course, 4 Basic numbers www.open.edu/openlearn/languages/beginners-chinese-taster-course/content-section-6
    eight: thumb pointing upwards, index finger pointing outwards to the right.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

LanguagesIn China, which one-hand sign means the number 6?LanguagesWhich of these is a common Chinese hand sign for 10?LanguagesYou want 'two bottles of water'. Which word for two goes in front of the measure word?

That's stuff everyone should know.