Chinese language Numbers – Your Go-to Information for Counting in Chinese language from 0

Are you able to discover Chinese language numbers 1-100 and past? Learn this text, and also you’ll have a stable information of counting in Chinese language.

At this time, I’ll train you all numbers in Chinese language, from 1 to 10, 10 to 100, and I’ll additionally embrace 1000’s and hundreds of thousands.

And when you’re focused on a bit bonus, I’ll speak a bit about phrases for measurements in Chinese language, too.

Additionally, let’s not overlook we have to learn to say “Chinese language numerals” first. So right here it’s: 中文数字 (zhōngwén shùzì) – “Chinese language numerals” / ”Chinese language numbers”.

(Notice that, for the sake of readability, I’ve written each a quantity and a phrase that represents it when translating within the textual content. For instance: “forty-five” (45).)

Okay, so now, are you prepared to start out? Let’s run proper into it!

Chinese language Numbers 1-10

Chinese language individuals use their characters even for numbers. However these days, it’s not unusual to see Arabic numerals in China both.

Right here, I’ll present you depend from 1-10 in Chinese language and I’ll additionally embrace each Chinese language characters and pinyin that can assist you study. (Pinyin is the English romanization of Chinese language characters.)

Additionally, “zero” in Chinese language is tremendous simple.

It’s quite common to see this Chinese language character: 〇 (líng) for “zero (0)”, however you would possibly nonetheless run into this one: 零 (líng) – “zero (0)” as effectively.

Notice that 二 (èr, “two (2)”) is generally used when counting or giving out a cellphone quantity.
When referring to a amount of one thing, comparable to utilizing measure phrases and saying “each” or “two of one thing” as an alternative of simply “two”, 两 (liǎng) is the one you need to use.

For instance:

• 二十块钱 (èrshí kuài qián) – “twenty (20) renminbi”
• 两本书 (liǎng běn shū) – “two (2) books”

Once you communicate shortly, particularly when sharing a cellphone quantity, use 幺 (yāo) – “one (1)” as an alternative of 一 (yī) – “one (1)”.

In Chinese language, 一 (yī, “one (1)”) sounds too just like 七 (qī, “seven (7)”), so it might probably get simply confused when talking quick.

You’ll additionally must do not forget that the quantity “4 (4)” – 四 (sì) – symbolizes dangerous luck in Chinese language. That’s as a result of it sounds just like 死 (sǐ) – “dying”.

Quantity 4 in Chinese language is like quantity 13 within the Western world. Usually, the 4th ground is overlooked in buildings and inns, and Chinese language individuals wouldn’t be joyful when you gave them 4 of one thing, comparable to flowers or fruits.

Chinese language Numbers 11-20 & Above

The Chinese language numerals 11-20 are fairly simple – all you must know is depend 1-10 and also you’ll simply mix these characters as you go additional. Consider it like stacking the numbers collectively.

The identical goes for numbers 30, 40, and so forth.

Numbers 11-19 are only a mixture of the quantity 10 + the next quantity.

So the sample to say these numbers is: 10+1 for 11, 10+2 for 12, and so forth.

Numerals 20, 30, and following, are the identical approach, however simply the opposite approach round: 20 is 2 tens, 30 is 3 tens, and so forth.

For numbers in between, like 21, 22, 45, and others, the sample of “two tens” continues. You’ll simply add the final quantity on the finish.

It goes like this:

• 二十五 (èrshíwǔ) – “twenty-five (25)”
• 三十三 (sānshísān) – “thirty-three (33)”
• 九十六 (jiǔshíliù) – “ninety-six (96)”

So long as you study Mandarin numbers 1-10, you’ll be able to grasp all of the numbers. And once you get to 100, you’ll must study a brand new character, but it surely’s nonetheless fairly simple.

Counting in Chinese language is one factor that’s easy about learning Chinese!

Chinese language Numbers 100-999

You may get away with the information of simply 1-10 till you get to 100, however even after that, it’s not that onerous.

To say “100 (100)” in Chinese language, you want a brand new phrase – 百 (bǎi) or 一百 (yìbǎi).

The distinction is identical as it’s in English: 百 (bǎi) means “100” and 百 (yìbǎi) is “100”. Each of them are right, however when counting, it’s extra widespread to make use of 百 (yìbǎi) – “100”.

Once you depend from 101-109, there’s a slight distinction in comparison with English. Whereas in English you’d say “100 and one”, in Chinese language, you’d say “100 zero and one”. If you happen to omit the “zero”, the quantity adjustments to a distinct one.

Have a look:

• 一百零一 or 一百〇一 (yìbǎi líng yī) – “100 and one (101)”
• 一百零二 or 一百〇二 (yìbǎi líng èr) – “100 and two (102)”

From 110, there are two alternative ways you’ll be able to say a quantity.

The sample stays the identical:

• 一百一(十) (yìbǎi yī (shí)) – “100 and ten (110)”
• 一百三(十) (yìbǎi sān (shí)) – “100 and thirty (130)”

You’ll discover that in each circumstances, 十 (shí, “ten (10)”) is in brackets. That’s as a result of you’ll be able to go away it out fully.

That’s the explanation why 101-109 at all times want to be mentioned with a zero – in any other case they’d sound the identical as 120-190.

This solely applies so long as the quantity ends with a zero. In any other case, you’ll be able to’t go away 十 (shí) – “ten (10)” out.

Right here’s an instance of that:

一百三十五 (yìbǎi sānshíwǔ) – “100 thirty-five (135)”

Now, let’s take a look at examples of mix the numbers that we already know into greater, extra sophisticated ones. Attempt to take a look at your self with this desk:

With a whole lot, the idea is just like tens. You’re counting as when you’re including:

• 二百 (èrbǎi) or 两百 (liǎngbǎi) – “2 hundred (200)” (each are proper)
• 三百 (sānbǎi) – “300 (300)”
• 四百 (sìbǎi) – “4 hundred (400)”
• 五百 (wǔbǎi) – “5 hundred (500)”
• 六百 (liùbǎi) – “600 (600)”
• 七百 (qībǎi) – “seven hundred (700)”
• 八百 (bābǎi) – “eight hundred (800)”
• 九百 (jiǔbǎi) – “9 hundred (900)”

There’s one factor you need to bear in mind linked to quantity 250. Watch out when utilizing this quantity, particularly interacting with a Chinese language individual.

In China, being known as “250” is an insult – mainly, you’re calling the individual you’re chatting with an fool.

You don’t even must check with an individual as “250”; it’s sufficient to only point out the quantity when speaking about value or bargaining and sure, you’ve simply insulted somebody.

Let’s pause for a second to catch our breath. You is likely to be questioning proper now why on Earth you determined to start out studying Chinese language. Don’t despair, it’s simpler than it appears. In truth, don’t simply take my phrase for it, take John Fotheringham’s.

He has intensive expertise in studying Chinese language, and I interviewed him on an episode of the Language Hacking Podcast:

Chinese language Numbers 1,000 & Above – the Massive Numbers

Even the “huge” Mandarin numbers aren’t as scary as you would possibly assume.

You’ll discover that in Chinese language, these numbers get their very own character, so as an alternative of claiming “ten thousand” or “1,000,000”, you’ll want to recollect these specific names and what number of zeros they imply.

The remainder is less complicated – similar to with the numbers I’ve already proven you.

These are all of the Chinese language numbers with three or extra zeros:

You may see the distinction between forming the large numbers in English and in Chinese language.

As a substitute of “ten thousand (10,000)”, Chinese language have 万 (wàn) and as an alternative of “1,000,000 (1,000,000)”, Chinese language have 一百万 (yìbǎi wàn), which accurately means “100 of ten thousand”.

It’s a bit math-heavy, however you’ll be able to see that it does add as much as 1,000,000.

Listed below are some examples of numbers I’m positive you’ll have the ability to say in Chinese language after studying this information:

• 两万三百零九 (liǎng wàn sānbǎi líng jiǔ) – “twenty thousand 300 and 9 (20,309)”
• 一百万三十万二十五 (yìbǎi wàn sānshí wàn èrshíwǔ) – “a million 300 thousand and twenty-five (1,300,025)”

Having fun with studying about Chinese language numbers? Don’t fear, we’re not performed but. I nonetheless have a bonus prepared for you!

Earlier than we get to our Chinese language measure phrases, take a look at this transient information to Chinese language ordinal numbers, days of the week and months of the yr:

First, Second, and As soon as… Chinese language Ordinal Numbers

If you happen to’re nonetheless ready for a catch and might’t imagine how simple Chinese language numbers are… Properly, this isn’t it!

Chinese language ordinal numbers are merely a mix of the phrase 第 (dì) and a quantity simply the way in which you learnt it.

It goes like this:

• 第一 (dì yī) – “first (1st)”
• 第二 (dì èr) – “second (2nd)”
• 第五十四 (dì wǔshísì) – “fifty-fourth (54th)”

And if you wish to say one thing occurred as soon as, twice or 3 times, you merely add 次 (cì) – “occasions” after the quantity:

• 一次 (yīcì) – “as soon as”
• 两次 (liǎng cì) – “twice”
• 三次 (sāncì) – “3 times”

Chinese language Days of the Week and Months of the Yr

天 (tiān) means “day” in Chinese language, 星期 (xīngqí) is “week” and 月 (yuè) means “month”.

Are you able to guess why I advised you these?

If you happen to study at the very least the final two out of those three phrases and bear in mind the numbers from this text, you’re all set to call all the times and months within the calendar.

Let me present you the sample of Chinese language days:

• 星期一 (xīngqíyī) – “Monday” (actually: “day of the week one”)
• 星期二 (xīngqí’èr) – “Tuesday” (actually: “day of the week two”)
• 星期六 (xīngqíliù) – “Saturday” (actually: “day of the week six”)

The one day that’s not mixed with the phrase “week” and a quantity is Sunday, and that’s as a result of 七 (qī) – “seven (7)”, as within the seventh day of the week, sounds too just like 期 (qī), which is the part of 星期 (xīngqí) – “week”.

So “Sunday” could be 星期日 (xīngqírì) or 星期天 (xīngqítiān). Each are right.

Relating to months, their names are easy, too:

• 一月 (yī yuè) – “January” (actually: “month one”)
• 四月 (sì yuè) – “April” (actually: “month 4”)
• 十二月 (shí’èr yuè) – “December” (actually: “month twelve”)

As you’ll be able to see, the variety of every month comes first, adopted by the phrase 月 (yuè) – “month”.

And now, let’s lastly take a look on the bonus I promised you at first of this information:

Chinese language Measure Phrases

In Mandarin Chinese language, you’ll be able to’t mix a quantity and a noun and not using a measure phrase in between them.

Though even in English we’re aware of some form of “measure phrases”, comparable to “a cup of tea” or “ten teams of individuals”, we are able to nearly at all times go away them out.

In Chinese language, these phrases can not be omitted, and they aren’t interchangeable.

Each noun, or group of nouns, has its personal measure phrase that can be utilized with it.
Some are logical, however some simply have to be memorized.

Right here’s a listing of 10 widespread measure phrases with examples:

Chinese language Numbers Made Simple!

Mandarin Chinese language is a selected and tough language to study.

However the excellent news is, its numbers are fairly simple!

Keep in mind, study numbers 1-10, then 100, 1,000 and 10,000 and by combining these collectively, you’ll be able to actually depend to infinity and past.

Come say hello on Instagram (@languagehacking), TikTok (@irishpolyglot), or Twitter (@irishpolyglot) and let me know what you’ll be counting!

And when you haven’t had sufficient of counting in one other language, study the Spanish numbers or Japanese numbers immediately. (Japanese is surprisingly related!)

Benny Lewis

Founder, Fluent in 3 Months

Enjoyable-loving Irish man, full-time globe trotter and worldwide bestselling writer. Benny believes the perfect strategy to language studying is to talk from day one.

Speaks: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Esperanto, Mandarin Chinese language, American Signal Language, Dutch, Irish

View all posts by Benny Lewis