11 Chinese Taboos

Learn how to avoid common Chinese taboos.

Chinese Taboo – Numbers:

Good things come in pairs so odd numbers are avoided for birthdays and weddings. However, to avoid bad things happening in pairs, burials and giving gifts to the ill are not held on even numbered days.

Four – the number four (四, sì) sounds like death (死, sǐ ) so the number four is avoided particularly on phone numbers, license plates and addresses. While addresses do contains fours, the rent is usually less and apartments on the fourth floor are typically rented by foreigners.

Chinese Taboo – at Work:

Shopkeepers may opt not to read a book at work because book (書, shū ) sounds like lose (輸, shū ).

Shopkeepers who read may be afraid their businesses will suffer losses
When it comes to sweeping, shopkeepers are careful not to sweep toward the door, especially during Chinese New Year, in case good fortune is swept out the front door.

Never turn over fish when you are with a fisherman as the motion symbolizes a boat capsizing.

Never offer a friend an umbrella because the word umbrella (傘, sǎn) sounds similar to 散 (sàn, to break up) and the act is a sign that you will never see each other again.

Chinese Taboo – Food:
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