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In China, which one-hand sign means the number 6?

Thumb and little finger up, the other three fingers closed.

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  1. Thumb and little finger up ✔
  2. All five fingers up
  3. A closed fist

Why: China signals 1 to 10 on one hand. Six is thumb and pinky out, a bit like a 'hang loose' sign. Five is all fingers up, and a closed fist is ten.

Huh, didn't know that: Hand signs are handy in noisy markets, where a vendor may just flash the price.

The dad joke
In China, 'hang loose' means six. Now every surfer I see is telling me a number.
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References

Answer: Thumb and little finger up. China signals 1 to 10 on one hand. Six is thumb and pinky out, a bit like a 'hang loose' sign. Five is all fingers up, and a closed fist is ten.

  1. The Open University (OpenLearn), Beginners' Chinese taster course, 4 Basic numbers www.open.edu/openlearn/languages/beginners-chinese-taster-course/content-section-6
    six: thumb and little finger up, three middle fingers closed in palm.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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