Definition
九九 has two distinct meanings. First, it refers to the 'nine nine-day periods' after the Winter Solstice — a traditional Chinese calendar concept where winter is divided into nine nine-day segments, and the ninth (九九) marks the end of winter. Second, it is a shortened form of 九九乘法表, the multiplication table (times tables) that Chinese children memorize. The context (weather talk vs. math class) tells you which sense is intended.
n.
the ninth nine-day period after the Winter Solstice (marking the end of winter)multiplication table (short for 九九乘法表)
Examples
- 九九，。jiǔ jiǔ guòhòu, tiānqì jiù mànmàn biàn nuǎn le.After the ninth nine-day period, the weather gradually gets warmer.
- 九九。Xiǎoxuéshēng dōu yào bèi jiǔ jiǔ.Primary school students all have to memorize the multiplication table.
- ：九九，。Lǎo huà shuō: jiǔ jiǔ hán jìn, chūn shǐ lái.An old saying goes: after the ninth nine-day period the cold ends, and spring begins.
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