Saying Words with Numbers

Using Numbers To Say Words (e.g., 5201314)

Everyone knows that numbers are commonly used as letters in "text speak" and in internet passwords (e.g., h3lp, p455w0rd). What is less well known, however, is that numbers are also used to represent whole words due to how they sound.

A good example of this is the term 555, which means "ha, ha, ha" or laughing. This works because the Thai word for 5 is "ha." Therefore, 555 is "ha, ha, ha."

Love Messages Using Numbers in Chinese

Using numbers for their sound is common in Chinese text slang between partners. When the numbers below are read in Chinese, they sound remarkably like the Chinese for the term shown to the right.

520	I love you.
521	I do.
530	I miss you.
3456	Missing you is useless.
35925	If you miss me, love me.
51921	I still love you.
220225	Love you, love me.
246437	Love is a miracle.
0594184	You and I will be together for more than one lifetime.
5201314	I will love you forever.

Using Numbers for Letters and To Say Words

Here is a short video explaining how numbers are used as letters and used to say words:

Numbers Used As Letters

For completeness, here is a list showing which numbers represent which letters in texting and social-media apps:

0	O or D
1	I
2	Z
3	E
4	h or A
5	S
6	g or q
7	L or t
8	B
9	G or b

Read more about using numbers in texting and messaging.

Writing Words with a Calculator

Using numbers in texting and messaging is not new. Here is a list of common words that children since the 1950s have been producing using their calculators. With these numbers, the terms only work when the calculator is shown upside down. (Note: A decimal point is used whenever the first number is a zero, otherwise the zero disappears.)

38	BE
338	BEE
0.08	BOO
8008	BOOB
55378	BLESS
0.208	BOZO
993	EGG
339	GEE
379919	GIGGLE
378809	GOBBLE
53177187714	HILLBILLIES
500791	IGLOOS
937	LEG
907	LOG
707	LOL
53507	LOSES
3080	OBOE
710	OIL
53045	SHOES
8075	SLOB

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