中英雙語話中國民風民俗 第42期:偶數和奇數
Even Number and Odd Numbers
偶數和奇數As a rule in day-to-day life in China, it is customary to regard even numbers as being more auspicious than odd numbers. In China，traditionally gifts are given as a part of the celebration for all occasions. Thus, guests will always give even-numbered presents. As the number two，usually suggests germination and harmony, at wedding celebrations, decorations are invariably setout in pairs: a pair of red candles, a pair of pillows, and couplets hung on two sides of the hall. Six, pronounced as "Liu", conveys indirectly its homophon's meaning—Do everything smoothly; and eight in Chinese has a similar sound to "Fa"，which means to make a fortune. All business men favor this number very much. However four, is the exception to the even number rule as it sounds like "Si" (death). So when people choose car license tags, phone numbers, and room numbers, they try to avoid it.
由於在中國日常生活中的規則，習慣把偶數視爲比奇數更吉祥。在中國，傳統的禮品是各種場合慶祝的一部分。因此，客人總會給偶數禮物。由於數字二，通常暗示萌發與和諧，在婚禮慶典中，裝飾都不約而同地做成成對：一對紅色的蠟燭，一對枕頭，和一對對聯掛在大廳的兩側。六，發音爲“流”，間接表達其同音的意思是，一切順利;而在中國，8也有類似的發音，以“發”，這意味着發財。非常多商務男士青睞這個數字。然而四則是偶數規則的例外，因爲它聽起來像“死”（死亡）。所以，當人們選擇汽車牌照，電話號碼和房間號碼時，他們儘量避免它。
