💘 5.20 – Chinese Valentine’s Day! Why “520” Means “I Love You”?(And Other Fun Number Puns You Should Know)

In Chinese, numbers don’t just count—they communicate. Over time, numbers have taken on secret meanings in everyday conversations, especially online. Thanks to the unique sounds and homophones in Mandarin, certain combinations of numbers now represent phrases, feelings, and even jokes.

As May 20th (5/20) approaches, you might notice “520” popping up everywhere—in WeChat messages, livestream chats, product ads, and even marriage certificates. That’s because 520 sounds like 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ)—I love you in Mandarin.

So… how did numbers become love letters in Chinese? Let’s break it down.

The real rise of “520” as a romantic code started in the early 2000s, thanks to online chatting and text messaging. Back when people used numeric keypads

 on phones (especially on feature phones before smartphones), typing Chinese characters was slower and more complicated. Using numbers as shortcuts became a clever and fast way to express common feelings, especially in flirty or romantic conversations.

As internet slang exploded, 520 caught on quickly, especially among young people on platforms like QQ, Weibo, and later WeChat. Over time, it became a widely understood shorthand for saying “I love you” without typing a single character.

It wasn’t long before people began associating the date May 20th (5/20) with love. Eventually, it evolved into an unofficial holiday now dubbed “Internet Valentine’s Day” in China—an alternative to the traditional Qixi Festival (the 7th day of the 7th lunar month).

🔍 Why Numbers Work So Well in Chinese

The Chinese language is full of homophones—words that sound the same or similar but have different meanings. In Mandarin, this happens even more than in English because there are only around 400 spoken syllables (before tones). As a result, numbers can often sound like words or phrases, and people have creatively turned these into numerical codes for expressing feelings.

This playful trend exploded with the rise of texting, online forums, and social media, where short messages and inside jokes rule the day. Young people especially use number puns to flirt, joke, or simply say something in a fun and coded way.

💡 The Secret Meanings Behind Popular Number Puns

Here are some of the most famous—and fun—examples of number puns used in daily Chinese life:

• 520 (wǔ èr líng) → “我爱你” (wǒ ài nǐ) → “I love you”
  That’s why May 20th (5/20) is now known as China’s “Internet Valentine’s Day”.

• 521 (wǔ èr yī) → “我愿意” (wǒ yuàn yì) → “I’m willing”
  Often used as a sweet response to a love confession or even a proposal.

• 1314 (yī sān yī sì) → “一生一世” (yī shēng yī shì) → “For a lifetime”
  Combine it with 520 to say: 5201314 = I love you forever ❤️

• 88 (bā bā) → “拜拜” (bàibài) → “Bye-bye”
  A casual and cute way to end a chat.

• 233 (èr sān sān)
  Originally a laughing emoji number from the Chinese forum Mop.com. Now it just means “LOL” or “hahaha”.

• 250 (èr bǎi wǔ)
  A mild insult meaning “fool” or “idiot.” (Not something you want to be called!)

• 666 (liù liù liù)
  A compliment, not a curse! It sounds like 溜 (liù), meaning “slick” or “awesome.” People comment “666” to say something is impressive or cool.

• 94 (jiǔ sì) → “就是” (jiù shì) → “Exactly”
  Used for emphasis, like in “94这样!” = “Exactly like this!”

💍 Real-Life Romance: 520 and Marriage in China

You might think “520” is just a cute online trend—but it’s taken on serious real-world meaning too.

In recent years, May 20th has become one of the most popular days for couples to register their marriage in China. Why? Because 5/20 sounds like “I love you”, and getting married on that day adds a romantic touch to the paperwork.

Some local marriage registration offices even extend their hours or open special time slots on May 20th to accommodate the surge in lovebirds tying the knot. In big cities like Shanghai, couples often line up as early as 4 a.m. to secure a spot!

Even weddings, engagement announcements, and online relationship “soft launches” often take place on this symbolic day

📱 How Chinese People Use Number Puns in Real Life

Texting your crush? Instead of writing out “我爱你,” you might just send:

520 ❤️
Want to go further?
5201314 = I love you forever.

Saying goodbye in a chat? Try:
88 👋

Replying to a friend who just made a silly mistake:
你真是个250！
(You’re such a fool!)

Seeing someone pull off something smooth or impressive?
666! 👏

💬 Which Number Pun Is Your Favorite?

The use of number puns adds charm and creativity to digital communication in China. It’s a playful intersection of language, culture, and internet slang.

Have you ever used or received a number pun before? Which one is your favorite?
Let us know in the comments—and don’t forget to share this with someone you’d send 520 to 💌