To be fair, zero is a complicated number

  • stebo@lemmy.dbzer0.com
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    3
    ·
    7 months ago

    How do they decide what the complicated character for 7 should be? Why does it include the symbol of a tree? Can natives derive the meaning of a new symbol by its components or are they just as clueless as we are until they learn the word?

    • NorthWestWind@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      7 months ago

      Even as a Hongkonger myself, I have no idea. We just see these characters as ancient numbers.

      Also, if you write 柒 in an informal context, it is considered offensive.