zaat3 maa5 zi6札碼字札码字

Jyutpingzaat3 maa5 zi6

Yalejaat máh jih

Definition

Suzhou numerals, a traditional system of shorthand characters used for writing numbers.

colloquialnumbersother

How it's used

Commonly referred to as 花碼 in daily life, this system is primarily encountered on old-fashioned handwritten receipts in traditional markets or local diners. While younger generations may struggle to interpret them, they remain a functional part of the local commercial landscape. The term 札碼字 is a more formal or descriptive way to identify these specific symbols compared to the more colloquial 花碼.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

le1呢zoeng1張daan1單soeng6上min6面se2寫ge3嘅zaap3札maa5碼zi6字ngo5我tai2睇m4唔ming4明aa4呀。

I cannot understand the Suzhou numerals written on this receipt.

nei5你sik1識m4唔sik1識tai2睇ni1呢di1啲zaap3札maa5碼zi6字㗎？

Do you know how to read these Suzhou numerals?

Common phrases

jing6認dak1得zaap3札maa5碼zi6字

to recognize Suzhou numerals

se2寫zaap3札maa5碼zi6字

to write Suzhou numerals

Common mistake

Learners often confuse these with standard Chinese characters because they look similar, but they function purely as a positional numeral system. Do not attempt to read them as words or phonetic characters.