六六大顺

Pronunciation: liù liù dà shùn Literal meaning: Six six, great smoothness

Origin & Usage

A folk saying with no agreed classical source. 顺 means 'smooth' or 'going well', 大 is 'great'. The Taiwan Ministry of Education dictionary says plainly that explanations of the 'six six' differ, and gives the double six, the highest throw of dice, as one theory. It is also a fixed call in finger-guessing drinking games. Popular articles often link it to the Zuo Commentary (《左传·隐公三年》), which lists 'six kinds of order' (六顺): a just ruler, dutiful ministers, kind fathers, filial sons, loving elder brothers and respectful younger ones. That passage is real, but it does not contain the phrase 六六大顺, so treat the link as a later association. Say it at New Year, weddings or openings, to anyone.

Examples

English: "Wishing you a smooth, trouble-free year in which everything goes right."

Chinese: 新春快乐，祝您六六大顺，万事如意！