China in Translation

This Company in Shenzhen Won’t Hire People Who Bring ‘Bad Luck’

This company doesn’t wanna risk trouble with employees with the number ‘5’ in their phone number.

Published

4 years ago

September 6, 2022

An education company located in Shenzhen went trending on Weibo after its director demanded that new employees’ phone numbers cannot have the number ‘5’ as the 5th digit, based on the superstition that it will bring bad luck.

Counting back from the end, is the fifth digit of your phone number ‘5’? If so, this Chinese employer probably does not want to hire you. This topic recently triggered discussions on Chinese social media.

Chinese…

Up Next

Young Chinese Woman Dies at Haidilao Hotpot Restaurant

Don't Miss

“I Decided Not To Learn English Anymore” Video Goes Viral on Chinese Social Media

What's on Weibo Team

Stories that are authored by the What's on Weibo Team are the stories that multiple authors contributed to. Please check the names at the end of the articles to see who the authors are.

Click to comment

China in Translation

China’s 2025 Year in Review in 12 Phrases

Andrew Methven’s favorite Chinese phrases of the year, a special feature by RealTime Mandarin.

Published

10 months ago

December 31, 2025

Andrew Methven

Dear Reader,

Happy New Year! A new year is, undoubtedly, filled with new resolutions. I have a few on my list, and maybe we have some in common—like reading more books (my new e-reader is arriving from Shenzhen tomorrow!) and being more diligent about practicing my new Chinese vocabulary.

If upping your Chinese is also on your list for 2026, Andrew Methven’s newsletter, RealTime Mandarin, is a must-follow. It’s a free weekly resource that…

China in Translation

Jiehun Huazhai (结婚化债): Getting Married to Pay Off Debts

Published

1 year ago

July 3, 2025

Manya Koetse

🔥 A version of this story also appeared in the Weibo Watch newsletter. Subscribe to stay in the loop.

Our Weibo phrase of the week is 结婚化债 jiéhūn huàzhài. Lately, the term “结婚化债” jiéhūn huàzhài, which translates to “marriage as debt resolution” or “getting married to resolve debt” is a recurring term on Chinese social media.

The word refers to a phenomenon that has become more prevalent alongside rising debts among…