![How to Count in Mandarin: Chinese Numbers 1 to 10 and More](https://images.ctfassets.net/t2gdb9jif023/4jkDlnfF30VtI0z25NKdPY/686fad3c5e11697ea1838da57aecee8c/LOGO____.jpg?w=88&h=88&fl=progressive&q=100&fm=jpg)
BaoDao Talk Blog
2024-08-21updated
How to Count in Mandarin: Chinese Numbers 1 to 10 and More
![How to Count in Mandarin: Chinese Numbers 1 to 10 and More](https://images.ctfassets.net/t2gdb9jif023/18Gq7E6zFHZCCGxkU4TfF8/56443a317939ee201fb96f88337c8846/_4._Chinese_Numbers-____1_.png?w=640&h=445&q=100&fm=png)
# Learning Mandarin
Master counting from 1 to 10 in Mandarin Chinese with our tutorial, including pronunciation, characters, and daily applications of Chinese numbers.
Quick Navigation
- How to Count from 1 to 10 in Mandarin Chinese
- Chinese Numbers in Hundreds and Thousands
- Counting Beyond 10,000 in Chinese
- Using Chinese Numbers in Daily Life
- Fun Facts About Chinese Numbers
- Lucky & Unlucky Chinese Numbers
- Different Characters for Chinese Numbers
- Chinese Number 1 as 一幺 (yāo)
- Chinese Number 2 as 兩 (liǎng)
- Romantic Slangs with Chinese Numbers
- Learn More About Chinese Numbers with BaoDao Talk
Learning numbers in Chinese is essential for daily activities like shopping, telling time, and understanding idioms. Mastering numbers 1 to 10 in the Mandarin language provides a solid foundation for language learning, as Chinese number grammar is logical and easy to grasp. This foundational knowledge helps learners become more familiar with Mandarin, making it easier to progress in the language. Incorporate resources like pronunciation guides to aid in learning.
How to Count from 1 to 10 in Mandarin Chinese
Learning to count numbers from 1 to 10 in Mandarin language is relatively easy because each number has only one syllable, making them simple to remember. Including the number 0 is also essential, as it forms the basis for understanding larger numbers.
Here's a table showcasing the Chinese characters for numbers 1 to 10 and zero:
Number | Chinese Character | Pinyin |
---|---|---|
0 | 零 / 〇 | líng |
1 | 一 | yī |
2 | 二 | èr |
3 | 三 | sān |
4 | 四 | sì |
5 | 五 | wǔ |
6 | 六 | liù |
7 | 七 | qī |
8 | 八 | bā |
9 | 九 | jiǔ |
10 | 十 | shí |
Counting from 11 to 99 in Chinese involves straightforward rules. Here’s a breakdown of the grammar rules:
11-19:
- Combine 十 (shí, meaning ten) with the units (1-9).
- Example: 11 is 十一 (shí yī), 12 is 十二 (shí èr).
20-99:
- Combine the tens place (2-9) with 十 (shí) and the units (0-9).
- Example: 20 is 二十 (èr shí), 21 is 二十一 (èr shí yī), 99 is 九十九 (jiǔ shí jiǔ).
Number | Chinese Character | Pinyin |
---|---|---|
11 | 十一 | shí yī |
12 | 十二 | shí èr |
20 | 二十 | èr shí |
21 | 二十一 | èr shí yī |
30 | 三十 | sān shí |
35 | 三十五 | sān shí wǔ |
40 | 四十 | sì shí |
42 | 四十二 | sì shí èr |
50 | 五十 | wǔ shí |
58 | 五十八 | wǔ shí bā |
60 | 六十 | liù shí |
64 | 六十四 | liù shí sì |
70 | 七十 | qī shí |
73 | 七十三 | qī shí sān |
80 | 八十 | bā shí |
86 | 八十六 | bā shí liù |
90 | 九十 | jiǔ shí |
99 | 九十九 | jiǔ shí jiǔ |
Chinese Numbers in Hundreds and Thousands
The basic units are 百 (bǎi) for hundred and 千 (qiān) for thousand, with the structure being straightforward and similar to English. Numbers are formed by stating the digit followed by the unit.
For instance, 100 is 一百 (yī bǎi), 200 is 二百 (èr bǎi), and 900 is 九百 (jiǔ bǎi). For thousands, 1,000 is 一千 (yī qiān), 2,000 is 二千 (èr qiān), and 9,000 is 九千 (jiǔ qiān). In Taiwan, it's more common to use 兩 (liǎng) instead of 二 (èr) when counting numbers over a hundred. For example, you would say 兩百 (liǎng bǎi) instead of 二百 (èr bǎi). The same rule applies to thousands and higher numbers.
Zero (零, líng) is used as a placeholder between significant digits for clarity, such as in 101, which is 一百零一 (yī bǎi líng yī). Also, 十 (10) by itself is written as 十, but when it appears within a larger number, it should be written as 一十 (yī shí) to avoid confusion. So, in 110, which needs to be read as 一百一十 (yī bǎi yī shí) or 一百一 (yī bǎi yī) in colloquial speech. Finally, the number "100" is typically written as "一百" or "一〇〇" in some cases, but rarely as "一零零".
English Number | Chinese Number | Pinyin |
---|---|---|
100 | 一百 | yī bǎi |
101 | 一百零一 | yī bǎi líng yī |
110 | 一百一十 | yī bǎi yī shí |
200 | 二百/兩百 | èr bǎi/liǎng bǎi |
1,000 | 一千 | yī qiān |
1,001 | 一千零一 | yī qiān líng yī |
Counting Beyond 10,000 in Chinese
In Chinese, numbers are grouped by units of ten thousand. For example, ten thousand (10,000) is written as 一萬 (yī wàn), and one hundred thousand (100,000) is written as 十萬 (shí wàn), meaning "ten ten-thousands." One million (1,000,000) is written as 一百萬 (yī bǎi wàn), translating to "one hundred ten-thousands." When numbers reach one hundred million (100,000,000), the character 億 (yì) is used.
The number zero (零) plays a crucial role in maintaining clarity, similar to its use in numbers from one hundred onward. Zero should always appear between two significant digits. Also, the rule for 一十 (yī shí) is the same.
English Number | Chinese Number | Pinyin |
---|---|---|
10,000 | 一萬 | yí wàn |
10,001 | 一萬零一 | yí wàn líng yī |
10,010 | 一萬零一十 | yí wàn líng yī shí |
10,100 | 一萬零一百 | yí wàn líng yì bǎi |
100,000 | 十萬 | shí wàn |
100,001 | 十萬零一 | shí wàn líng yī |
1,000,000 | 一百萬 | yì bǎi wàn |
10,000,000 | 一千萬 | yì qiān wàn |
100,000,000 | 一億 | yí yì |
1,000,000,000 | 十億 | shí yì |
Using Chinese Numbers in Daily Life
After mastering the basics of Chinese numbers, it’s time to apply your knowledge to real-world situations. Learning how to read prices, express time, and handle everyday situations will help you integrate Chinese numbers into your daily life seamlessly.
Reading Prices in Chinese
In Chinese, prices are expressed using specific measurement units:
- 元/塊 (yuán/kuài): The basic unit, similar to the dollar. 元 is used in formal contexts, while 塊 is used colloquially.
- 角/毛 (jiǎo/máo): This unit represents a tenth of a yuan, similar to a dime. 角 is used in formal contexts, while 毛 is used colloquially.
- 分 (fēn): This unit represents a hundredth of a yuan, similar to a cent.
Examples in RMB (Chinese Yuan)
- ¥4.10 - 四元一角 (sì yuán yī jiǎo) or 四塊一 (sì kuài yī)
- ¥10.75 - 十元七角五分 (shí yuán qī jiǎo wǔ fēn) or 十塊七毛五 (shí kuài qī máo wǔ)
- ¥99.99 - 九十九元九角九分 (jiǔshíjiǔ yuán jiǔ jiǎo jiǔ fēn) or 九十九塊九毛九 (jiǔshíjiǔ kuài jiǔ máo jiǔ)
Examples in NTD (New Taiwan Dollar)
- NT$45 - 四十五元 (sìshíwǔ yuán) or 四十五塊 (sì kuài)
Note that there is no 角/毛/分 (jiǎo/máo/fēn) for NTD.
Expressing Time in Chinese
In Chinese, time is expressed using specific measurement units such as 小時 (xiǎoshí) for hours, 分鐘 (fēnzhōng) for minutes, and 秒 (miǎo) for seconds. Here are the basic rules and examples for expressing time:
- Hours: The word for an hour is 小時 (xiǎoshí) or 鐘頭 (zhōngtóu), and 點 (diǎn) is used for "o'clock."
- Minutes: Minutes can be expressed with 分 (fēn) or 分鐘 (fēnzhōng).
- Seconds: Seconds are expressed with 秒 (miǎo).
Example: 7:05:30 is 七點零五分三十秒 (qī diǎn líng wǔ fēn sān shí miǎo).
Fun Facts About Chinese Numbers
Chinese numbers are filled with fascinating cultural significance and unique practices. Here are some fun facts and insights about them.
Lucky & Unlucky Chinese Numbers
In Chinese culture, certain numbers are considered lucky or unlucky symbols based on their pronunciation and cultural associations.
Lucky Numbers
- 8 (八, bā): This is the luckiest number because it sounds like "發" (fā), which means wealth or fortune. It's commonly associated with prosperity and success. People often pay extra to have this number in phone numbers, addresses, or license plates.
- 6 (六, liù): This number in Chinese sounds like "流" (liú), which means smooth or flowing, implying that things will go smoothly. The idiom “六六大順” (liù liù dà shùn) is used to wish someone great success and smooth progress in their endeavors, symbolizing blessings for a prosperous and trouble-free journey.
- 9 (九, jiǔ): This number sounds like "久" (jiǔ), meaning long-lasting, and is associated with longevity and eternal life. It is also a symbol of completeness and eternity.
- 2 (二, èr): This number signifies harmony and balance, often associated with the saying "