Number in Chinese: Learn How to Read, Write and Count 1-100+

Last updated on July 25, 2024
BY LindaM
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Learning Chinese numbers offers various benefits, making it an essential skill for anyone interested in Mandarin Chinese. Understanding numbers in Chinese enhances communication, whether travelling in China or interacting with Chinese people every day. Knowing how to count and use Chinese numerals allows more accessible exploration through markets, restaurants, and public transportation.

Chinese numerals are more than just a counting system; they hold cultural and historical significance. Numbers like eight (八, bā) are considered the luckiest number due to their pronunciation, which sounds similar to the word for wealth or prosperity.

Conversely, the number four (四, sì) is an unlucky number and is often avoided because it sounds similar to the word for death. Understanding these nuances not only aids in communication but also enriches your cultural insights, allowing you to explore conversations and social interactions more effectively. Whether you’re learning Chinese for travel, business, or personal interest, mastering numbers is a fundamental step in your language journey.

How to Learn Numbers in Chinese

Learning numbers in Chinese is fundamental to mastering and understanding the language’s cultural context. Numbers are used in everyday interactions in many cultures, so being knowledgeable about them is essential.

Numbers 0-10

Learning the numbers from 0 to 10 in Mandarin Chinese is a starting point for learning the language.

Here are the numbers, along with their Chinese characters, pinyin, and pronunciation tips:

0 零 (líng)
- Sounds like “ling” in “linguistics.”
1 一 (yī)
- Pronounced like the letter “E.”
2 二 (èr)
- Sounds like “are” with a slight roll of the ‘r.’
3 三 (sān)
- Pronounced like “san” in “sand” without the ‘d.’
4 四 (sì)
- Similar to “suh” in “sun,” but with a sharp falling tone.
5 五 (wǔ)
- Sounds like “woo” with a falling-rising tone.
6 六 (liù)
- Similar to “leo” with a falling-rising tone.
7 七 (qī) Pronounced like “chee.”
8 八 (bā)
- Sounds like “bah.”
9 九 (jiǔ)
- Similar to “joe” with a falling-rising tone.
10 十 (shí)
- Pronounced like “shrr” with a slight roll of the ‘r.’

Writing Numbers in Chinese

Writing numbers in Chinese involves understanding both the characters and their stroke order.

Here’s a brief guide:

零 (líng): Composed of the radical “雨” (rain) and two dots, indicating “nothing” or “zero.”
一 (yī): A single horizontal stroke.
二 (èr): Two horizontal strokes.
三 (sān): Three horizontal strokes.
四 (sì): Complex character combining “囗” (enclosure) and “儿” (son).
五 (wǔ): Composed of five strokes, starting with a horizontal stroke.
六 (liù): Composed of “亠” (lid) and “八” (eight).
七 (qī): Two strokes, starting with a horizontal stroke.
八 (bā): Two diagonal strokes diverging from the centre.
九 (jiǔ): Starts with a horizontal stroke and then a hooked vertical stroke.
十 (shí): A cross formed by a horizontal and a vertical stroke.

Number 11-20

After learning the first digits, continuing to the larger numbers will expand your understanding. Here are the numbers, along with their Chinese characters, pinyin, and pronunciation tips:

11 十一 (shí yī)
- “shí” sounds like “shrr” with a slight roll of the ‘r’ and “yī” like the letter “E.”
12 十二 (shí èr)
- “shí” sounds like “shrr” and “èr” like “are” with a slight roll of the ‘r.’
13 十三 (shí sān)
- “shí” sounds like “shrr”, and “sān” is like “san” in “sand” without the ‘d.’
14 十四 (shí sì)
- “shí” sounds like “shrr” and “sì” like “suh” with a sharp falling tone.
15 十五 (shí wǔ)
- “shí” sounds like “shrr” and “wǔ” like “woo” with a falling-rising tone.
16 十六 (shí liù)
- “shí” sounds like “shrr” and “liù” like “leo” with a falling-rising tone.
17 十七 (shí qī)
- “shí” sounds like “shrr” and “qī” like “chee.”
18 十八 (shí bā)
- “shí” sounds like “shrr” and “bā” like “bah.”
19 十九 (shí jiǔ)
- “shí” sounds like “shrr” and “jiǔ” like “joe” with a falling-rising tone.
20 二十 (èr shí)
- “èr” like “are” with a slight roll of the ‘r’ and “shí” like “shrr.”

Writing Numbers 11-19 in Chinese

Writing numbers from 11 to 19 in Chinese follow a pattern: the character for ten (十, shí) followed by 1 to 9. This pattern simplifies the learning process, as you only need to add the respective single-digit character to “十” (shí).

十一 (shí yī): 十 + 一
十二 (shí èr): 十 + 二
十三 (shí sān): 十 + 三
十四 (shí sì): 十 + 四
十五 (shí wǔ): 十 + 五
十六 (shí liù): 十 + 六
十七 (shí qī): 十 + 七
十八 (shí bā): 十 + 八
十九 (shí jiǔ): 十 + 九
二十 (èr shí): 二 + 十

Numbers 21-100

Here is a list of big numbers from 21 to 100 with their Chinese characters, pinyin, and pronunciation tips. Understanding these numbers builds on the patterns learned from 1 to 20.

20 二十 (èr shí)
- “èr” sounds like “are” with a slight roll of the ‘r’ and “shí” like “shrr.”
21 二十一 (èr shí yī)
- “èr” like “are,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “yī” like the letter “E.”
22 二十二 (èr shí èr)
- “èr” like “are,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “èr” like “are” with a slight roll of the ‘r.’
23 二十三 (èr shí sān)
- “èr” like “are,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “sān” like “san” in “sand” without the ‘d.’
24 二十四 (èr shí sì)
- “èr” like “are,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “sì” like “suh” with a sharp falling tone.
25 二十五 (èr shí wǔ)
- “èr” like “are,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “wǔ” like “woo” with a falling-rising tone.
26 二十六 (èr shí liù)
- “èr” like “are,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “liù” like “leo” with a falling-rising tone.
27 二十七 (èr shí qī)
- “èr” like “are,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “qī” like “chee.”
28 二十八 (èr shí bā)
- “èr” like “are,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “bā” like “bah.”
29 二十九 (èr shí jiǔ)
- “èr” like “are,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “jiǔ” like “joe” with a falling-rising tone.
30 三十 (sān shí)
- “sān” like “san” in “sand” without the ‘d’ and “shí” like “shrr.”
31 三十一 (sān shí yī)
- “sān” like “san,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “yī” like the letter “E.”
32 三十二 (sān shí èr)
- “sān” like “san,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “èr” like “are.”
33 三十三 (sān shí sān)
- “sān” like “san,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “sān” like “san.”
34 三十四 (sān shí sì)
- “sān” like “san,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “sì” like “suh.”
35 三十五 (sān shí wǔ)
- “sān” like “san,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “wǔ” like “woo.”
36 三十六 (sān shí liù)
- “sān” like “san,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “liù” like “leo.”
37 三十七 (sān shí qī)
- “sān” like “san,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “qī” like “chee.”
38 三十八 (sān shí bā)
- “sān” like “san,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “bā” like “bah.”
39 三十九 (sān shí jiǔ)
- “sān” like “san,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “jiǔ” like “joe.”
40 四十 (sì shí)
- “sì” like “suh” and “shí” like “shrr.”
41 四十一 (sì shí yī)
- “sì” like “suh,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “yī” like the letter “E.”
42 四十二 (sì shí èr)
- “sì” like “suh,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “èr” like “are.”
43 四十三 (sì shí sān)
- “sì” like “suh,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “sān” like “san.”
44 四十四 (sì shí sì)
- “sì” like “suh” and “shí” like “shrr.”
45 四十五 (sì shí wǔ)
- “sì” like “suh,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “wǔ” like “woo.”
46 四十六 (sì shí liù)
- “sì” like “suh,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “liù” like “leo.”
47 四十七 (sì shí qī)
- “sì” like “suh,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “qī” like “chee.”
48 四十八 (sì shí bā)
- “sì” like “suh,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “bā” like “bah.”
49 四十九 (sì shí jiǔ)
- “sì” like “suh,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “jiǔ” like “joe.”
50 五十 (wǔ shí)
- “wǔ” like “woo” and “shí” like “shrr.”
51 五十一 (wǔ shí yī)
- “wǔ” like “woo,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “yī” like the letter “E.”
52 五十二 (wǔ shí èr)
- “wǔ” like “woo,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “èr” like “are.”
53 五十三 (wǔ shí sān)
- “wǔ” like “woo,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “sān” like “san.”
54 五十四 (wǔ shí sì)
- “wǔ” like “woo,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “sì” like “suh.”
55 五十五 (wǔ shí wǔ)
- Pronunciation tip: “wǔ” like “woo” and “shí” like “shrr.”
56 五十六 (wǔ shí liù)
- Pronunciation tip: “wǔ” like “woo,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “liù” like “leo.”
57 五十七 (wǔ shí qī)
- “wǔ” like “woo,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “qī” like “chee.”
58 五十八 (wǔ shí bā)
- “wǔ” like “woo,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “bā” like “bah.”
59 五十九 (wǔ shí jiǔ)
- “wǔ” like “woo,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “jiǔ” like “joe.”
60 六十 (liù shí)
- “liù” like “leo” and “shí” like “shrr.”
61 六十一 (liù shí yī)
- “liù” like “leo,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “yī” like the letter “E.”
62 六十二 (liù shí èr)
- “liù” like “leo,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “èr” like “are.”
63 六十三 (liù shí sān)
- “liù” like “leo,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “sān” like “san.”
64 六十四 (liù shí sì)
- “liù” like “leo,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “sì” like “suh.”
65 六十五 (liù shí wǔ)
- “liù” like “leo,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “wǔ” like “woo.”
66 六十六 (liù shí liù)
- “liù” like “leo” and “shí” like “shrr.”
67 六十七 (liù shí qī)
- “liù” like “leo,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “qī” like “chee.”
68 六十八 (liù shí bā)
- “liù” like “leo,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “bā” like “bah.”
69 六十九 (liù shí jiǔ)
- “liù” like “leo,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “jiǔ” like “joe.”
70 七十 (qī shí)
- “qī” like “chee” and “shí” like “shrr.”
71 七十一 (qī shí yī)
- “qī” like “chee,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “yī” like the letter “E.”
72 七十二 (qī shí èr)
- “qī” like “chee,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “èr” like “are.”
73 七十三 (qī shí sān)
- “qī” like “chee,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “sān” like “san.”
74 七十四 (qī shí sì)
- “qī” like “chee,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “sì” like “suh.”
75 七十五 (qī shí wǔ)
- “qī” like “chee,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “wǔ” like “woo.”
76 七十六 (qī shí liù)
- “qī” like “chee,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “liù” like “leo.”
77 七十七 (qī shí qī)
- “qī” like “chee” and “shí” like “shrr.”
78 七十八 (qī shí bā)
- “qī” like “chee,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “bā” like “bah.”
79 七十九 (qī shí jiǔ)
- “qī” like “chee,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “jiǔ” like “joe.”
80 八十 (bā shí)
- “bā” like “bah” and “shí” like “shrr.”
81 八十一 (bā shí yī)
- “bā” like “bah,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “yī” like the letter “E.”
82 八十二 (bā shí èr)
- “bā” like “bah,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “èr” like “are.”
83 八十三 (bā shí sān)
- “bā” like “bah,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “sān” like “san.”
84 八十四 (bā shí sì)
- “bā” like “bah,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “sì” like “suh.”
85 八十五 (bā shí wǔ)
- “bā” like “bah,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “wǔ” like “woo.”
86 八十六 (bā shí liù)
- “bā” like “bah,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “liù” like “leo.”
87 八十七 (bā shí qī)
- “bā” like “bah,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “qī” like “chee.”
88 八十八 (bā shí bā)
- “bā” like “bah” and “shí” like “shrr.”
89 八十九 (bā shí jiǔ)
- “bā” like “bah,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “jiǔ” like “joe.”
90 九十 (jiǔ shí)
- “jiǔ” like “joe” and “shí” like “shrr.”
91 九十一 (jiǔ shí yī)
- “jiǔ” like “joe,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “yī” like the letter “E.”
92 九十二 (jiǔ shí èr)
- “jiǔ” like “joe,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “èr” like “are.”
93 九十三 (jiǔ shí sān)
- “jiǔ” like “joe,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “sān” like “san.”
94 九十四 (jiǔ shí sì)
- “jiǔ” like “joe,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “sì” like “suh.”
95 九十五 (jiǔ shí wǔ)
- “jiǔ” like “joe,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “wǔ” like “woo.”
96 九十六 (jiǔ shí liù)
- “jiǔ” like “joe,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “liù” like “leo.”
97 九十七 (jiǔ shí qī)
- “jiǔ” like “joe,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “qī” like “chee.”
98 九十八 (jiǔ shí bā)
- “jiǔ” like “joe,” “shí” like “shrr,” and “bā” like “bah.”
99 九十九 (jiǔ shí jiǔ)
- “jiǔ” like “joe” and “shí” like “shrr.”
100 一百 (yī bǎi)
- “yī” like the letter “E” and “bǎi” like “buy.”

Source

Numbers up to 1000

Here is a list of the numbers by hundreds from 200 to 1000, including Chinese characters, pinyin, and pronunciation tips:

200 二百 (èr bǎi)
- “èr” sounds like “are” with a slight roll of the ‘r’ and “bǎi” like “buy.”
300 三百 (sān bǎi)
- “sān” sounds like “san” in “sand” without the ‘d’ and “bǎi” like “buy.”
400 四百 (sì bǎi)
- “sì” sounds like “suh” with a sharp falling tone and “bǎi” like “buy.”
500 五百 (wǔ bǎi)
- “wǔ” sounds like “woo” with a falling-rising tone and “bǎi” like “buy.”
600 六百 (liù bǎi)
- “liù” sounds like “leo” with a falling-rising tone and “bǎi” like “buy.”
700 七百 (qī bǎi)
- “qī” sounds like “chee” and “bǎi” like “buy.”
800 八百 (bā bǎi)
- “bā” sounds like “bah” and “bǎi” like “buy.”
900 九百 (jiǔ bǎi)
- “jiǔ” sounds like “joe” with a falling-rising tone and “bǎi” like “buy.”
1000 一千 (yī qiān)
- “yī” sounds like the letter “E” and “qiān” like “chee-an.”

Numbers from 2000 – 10,000

Here is a list of numbers by thousands from 2000 to 10,000, including Chinese characters, pinyin, and pronunciation tips:

2000 二千 (èr qiān)
- “èr” sounds like “are” with a slight roll of the ‘r’ and “qiān” like “chee-an.”
3000 三千 (sān qiān)
- “sān” sounds like “san” in “sand” without the ‘d’ and “qiān” like “chee-an.”
4000 四千 (sì qiān)
- “sì” sounds like “suh” with a sharp falling tone and “qiān” like “chee-an.”
5000 五千 (wǔ qiān)
- “wǔ” sounds like “woo” with a falling-rising tone and “qiān” like “chee-an.”
6000 六千 (liù qiān)
- “liù” sounds like “leo” with a falling-rising tone and “qiān” like “chee-an.”
7000 七千 (qī qiān)
- “qī” sounds like “chee” and “qiān” like “chee-an.”
8000 八千 (bā qiān)
- “bā” sounds like “bah” and “qiān” like “chee-an.”
9000 九千 (jiǔ qiān)
- “jiǔ” sounds like “joe” with a falling-rising tone and “qiān” like “chee-an.”
10,000 一万 (yī wàn)
- “yī” sounds like the letter “E” and “wàn” like “wahn.”

Writing Chinese Numbers

Single Digits (1-9)
- Each number has its unique character. For example:
  - 1 一 (yī)
  - 2 二 (èr)
  - 3 三 (sān)
Tens (10, 20, 30, etc.)
- The number ten (10) is written as 十 (shí). For numbers 11-19, the character for ten is followed by the digit:
  - 10 十 (shí)
  - 11 十一 (shí yī)
  - 20 二十 (èr shí)
  - 30 三十 (sān shí)
Hundreds (100, 200, 300, etc.)
- One hundred (100) is written as 百 (bǎi). For numbers in the hundreds, the character for the digit is followed by the character for the hundred:
  - 100 一百 (yī bǎi)
  - 200 二百 (èr bǎi)
  - 300 三百 (sān bǎi)
Thousands (1000, 2000, 3000, etc.)
- One thousand (1000) is written as 千 (qiān). For numbers in the thousands, the character for the digit is followed by the character for the thousand:
  - 1000 一千 (yī qiān)
  - 2000 二千 (èr qiān)
  - 3000 三千 (sān qiān)

Concept of Stroke Order

The correct stroke order is crucial for legibility and proper writing form in Chinese writing. Each character has a specific sequence of strokes that should be followed systematically.

The basic principles of stroke order include:

Top to Bottom
- Strokes are written from the top of the character to the bottom.
- Example: 三 (sān), which means three, is written with three horizontal strokes starting from the top.
Left to Right
- Strokes are written from the left side of the character to the right.
- Example: 十 (shí), which means ten, starts with a horizontal stroke followed by a vertical stroke.
Horizontal Before Vertical
- Horizontal strokes are written before vertical strokes.
- Example: 十 (shí) again illustrates this rule with the horizontal stroke written first.
Outside to Inside
- Outer components are written before inner components.
- Example: 回 (huí), which means to return, starts with the outer box before the inner strokes.
Center Before Sides
- The central strokes are written before the side components.
- Example: 小 (xiǎo), which means small, start with the vertical stroke before the two diagonal strokes.

Reading Chinese Numbers

Source

Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language, meaning the pitch or intonation used when pronouncing a word can change its meaning. There are four primary tones in Mandarin, each with a distinct pitch contour:

First Tone (Flat Tone)
- The pitch is high and level. It is denoted by a macron (¯) over the vowel.
- Example: 一 (yī) – the number one.
Second Tone (Rising Tone)
- The pitch starts medium and rises to the top, similar to asking a question in English. It is denoted by an acute accent (´) over the vowel.
- Example: 十 (shí) – the number ten.
Third Tone (Falling-Rising Tone)
- The pitch starts low, dips lower, then rises again. It is denoted by a caron (ˇ) over the vowel.
- Example: 九 (jiǔ) – the number nine.
Fourth Tone (Falling Tone)
- The pitch starts high and falls sharply to the bottom. It is denoted by a grave accent (`) over the vowel.
- Example: 四 (sì) – the number four.

Tones are crucial in Mandarin because many syllables have the same phonetic sound but different meanings depending on the tone. Mispronouncing a tone can lead to misunderstandings, as the word can convey an entirely different meaning.

Tips for Mastering Tones

Listen and Imitate
- Listen to native speakers and try to imitate their tones. Audio resources and language apps can be beneficial.
Practice with Minimal Pairs
- Practice words that differ only by tone to train your ear and pronunciation. For example, practice 一 (yī) vs. 十 (shí) vs. 九 (jiǔ) vs. 四 (sì).
Use Visual Aids
- Use tone charts and graphs to visualize the pitch contours. This can help you remember the correct pitch pattern for each tone.
Record Yourself
- Record your pronunciation and compare it to native speakers. This can help you identify and correct mistakes.
Consistent Practice
- Regular and consistent practice is key. Incorporate tone practice into your daily language study routine to build muscle memory and improve accuracy.

Cultural Significance

In Chinese culture, specific numbers carry significant cultural beliefs and superstitions that can influence daily life, business practices, and social interactions. These beliefs often stem from how the numbers sound in Mandarin, particularly emphasising phonetic similarities to words with positive or negative connotations.

Lucky Numbers

The number eight (八, bā) is considered extremely lucky because its pronunciation is similar to the word for wealth or prosperity (发, fā). As a result, the number eight is highly sought after in various contexts, from phone numbers and license plates to addresses and dates for important events. For example, it’s common for businesses to open on dates that include the number eight, and people often pay a premium to have this number in their phone numbers or car license plates.

Another lucky number is six (六, liù), which sounds like the word for smooth or well-off (流, liú). This number is associated with good luck and favourable outcomes. The number nine (九, jiǔ) is also considered lucky due to its association with longevity and eternity, as it sounds similar to the word for long-lasting (久, jiǔ).

Unlucky Numbers

Conversely, the number four (四, sì) is considered unlucky because it sounds like the word for death (死, sǐ). This superstition leads to avoiding the number in various aspects of life. For example, buildings often skip the fourth floor, labelling it as “3A” instead, and some people avoid using the number four in their phone numbers, addresses, or license plates. Similarly, the number 14 (十四, shí sì) is particularly ominous as it sounds like “want to die” (要死, yào sǐ).

These cultural beliefs significantly influence daily life and social interactions in Chinese-speaking communities. For example, during gift-giving occasions, it’s customary to avoid giving gifts in sets of four, as this could be seen as wishing bad luck upon the recipient. Companies often select auspicious dates with favourable numbers for launching products or starting new ventures to attract good fortune and success.

These beliefs can affect real estate prices, with properties on the eighth floor or houses with the number eight in their address fetching higher prices. Additionally, business negotiations and contracts may consider these numerical superstitions to ensure positive outcomes and avoid potential conflicts.

These numerical beliefs are also evident in social interactions. For example, wedding dates and other significant life events are often chosen based on numerological auspiciousness, ensuring that the event is marked by good luck and prosperity.

Practical Applications

Mastering Chinese numbers goes beyond simple counting; it opens doors to practical applications for everyday life in Chinese-speaking environments. From handling money and understanding prices to communicating dates and times, numbers are integral to daily interactions.

Additionally, knowing how to use numbers correctly can help you engage more deeply with Chinese culture, as numerical superstitions and customs play a significant role in social and business contexts.

Using Numbers in Daily Conversations

Numbers are frequently used in daily conversations, from asking prices to ordering food at a restaurant. Here are some common phrases and sentences involving numbers in Mandarin Chinese:

Asking Prices

多少钱？ (duō shǎo qián?)
- How much does it cost?
- Example: 这个多少钱？ (Zhè gè duō shǎo qián?) – How much is this?
这个价格是… (zhè gè jià gé shì…)
- The price of this is…
- Example: 这个价格是一百元。 (Zhè gè jià gé shì yī bǎi yuán.) – The price of this is 100 yuan.

Ordering at a Restaurant

我要点… (wǒ yào diǎn…)
- I want to order…
- Example: 我要点两份饺子。 (Wǒ yào diǎn liǎng fèn jiǎo zi.) – I want to order two servings of dumplings.
请给我… (qǐng gěi wǒ…)
- Please give me…
- Example: 请给我三杯茶。 (Qǐng gěi wǒ sān bēi chá.) – Please give me three cups of tea.
几号桌？ (jǐ hào zhuō?)
- Which table number?
- Example: 我们在五号桌。 (Wǒ men zài wǔ hào zhuō.) – We are at table number five.

Discussing Time and Dates

现在几点？ (xiàn zài jǐ diǎn?)
- What time is it now?
- Example: 现在八点。 (Xiàn zài bā diǎn.) – It is eight o’clock now.
今天几号？ (jīn tiān jǐ hào?)
- What is the date today?
- Example: 今天是十五号。 (Jīn tiān shì shí wǔ hào.) – Today is the 15th.
你什么时候回来？ (nǐ shén me shí hòu huí lái?)
- When will you come back?
- Example: 我下午三点回来。 (Wǒ xià wǔ sān diǎn huí lái.) – I will come back at 3 PM.

Making Reservations

我想预订… (wǒ xiǎng yù dìng…)
- I would like to reserve…
- Example: 我想预订一张两人桌。 (Wǒ xiǎng yù dìng yī zhāng liǎng rén zhuō.) – I would like to reserve a table for two.
您需要几间房？ (nín xū yào jǐ jiān fáng?)
- How many rooms do you need?
- Example: 我需要两间房。 (Wǒ xū yào liǎng jiān fáng.) – I need two rooms.

Discussing Quantities

你要几个？ (nǐ yào jǐ gè?)
- How many do you want?
- Example: 我要三个苹果。 (Wǒ yào sān gè píng guǒ.) – I want three apples.
这里有多少人？ (zhè lǐ yǒu duō shǎo rén?)
- How many people are here?
- Example: 这里有二十个人。 (Zhè lǐ yǒu èr shí gè rén.) – There are twenty people here.

Contextual Usage of Numbers

Numbers are used extensively in everyday contexts, such as dates, phone numbers, and expressing age. Understanding how to use numbers correctly in these situations is crucial for effective communication in Mandarin Chinese.

Dates

Dates in Mandarin Chinese follow the format: Year + Month + Day.

Year (年, nián)
- Example: 2024年 (èr líng èr sì nián) – Year 2024
- Each digit of the year is spoken individually.
Month (月, yuè)
- Example: 7月 (qī yuè) – July
- Months are simply the number followed by 月.
Day (日/号, rì/hào)
- Example: 10日 (shí rì) or 10号 (shí hào) – 10th
- 日 is more formal, while 号 is used in spoken Chinese.

Example of a full date:

2024年7月10日 (èr líng èr sì nián qī yuè shí rì) – July 10, 2024

Phone Numbers

Phone numbers in Mandarin Chinese are read digit by digit, and numbers are often grouped for easier memorisation. The number one (一) is usually pronounced as “yāo” instead of “yī” to avoid confusion with seven (七, qī).

Example:

1234-5678
- 一二三四 – 五六七八 (yī èr sān sì – wǔ liù qī bā)
- Sometimes grouped: 1234 (yī èr sān sì), 5678 (wǔ liù qī bā)

Example of a full phone number:

123-456-7890
- 一二三 – 四五六 – 七八九零 (yī èr sān – sì wǔ liù – qī bā jiǔ líng)

Age

When expressing age in Mandarin Chinese, the structure follows the format: number + 岁 (suì), which means “years old.”

Example:

5 years old
- 五岁 (wǔ suì)
20 years old
- 二十岁 (èr shí suì)
32 years old
- 三十二岁 (sān shí èr suì)

Examples in sentences:

她五岁。 (Tā wǔ suì.)
- She is five years old.
我二十岁。 (Wǒ èr shí suì.)
- I am twenty years old.
他三十二岁。 (Tā sān shí èr suì.)
- He is thirty-two years old.

Real-Life Scenarios

Travel

Flight Numbers and Departure Times
- Example: Flight CA123, Departure at 10:30 AM
  - 航班号CA123，起飞时间上午十点半 (Háng bān hào CA yī èr sān, qǐ fēi shí jiān shàng wǔ shí diǎn bàn)
Train Tickets and Platforms
- Example: Train G45, Platform 3, Seat 12A
  - 高铁G45，三号站台，12A座位 (Gāo tiě G sì wǔ, sān hào zhàn tái, yī èr A zuò wèi)
Hotel Reservations
- Example: Room 507, Check-in at 2 PM
  - 房间号507，入住时间下午两点 (Fáng jiān hào wǔ líng qī, rù zhù shí jiān xià wǔ liǎng diǎn)

Shopping

Prices and Quantities
- Example: This shirt costs 150 yuan
  - 这件衬衫要150元 (Zhè jiàn chèn shān yào yī bǎi wǔ shí yuán)
- Example: I want to buy 3 apples
  - 我要买三个苹果 (Wǒ yào mǎi sān gè píng guǒ)
Discounts and Sales
- Example: 20% off on all items
  - 所有商品打八折 (Suǒ yǒu shāng pǐn dǎ bā zhé)
- Example: Buy 1, Get 1 Free
  - 买一送一 (Mǎi yī sòng yī)
Sizes and Measurements
- Example: Size M, 36 waist, 32 length
  - 中号，腰围36，裤长32 (Zhōng hào, yāo wéi sān liù, kù cháng sān èr)

Dining

Ordering Food and Drinks
- Example: Two bowls of rice, one plate of dumplings
  - 两碗米饭，一盘饺子 (Liǎng wǎn mǐ fàn, yī pán jiǎo zi)
- Example: Three cups of tea
  - 三杯茶 (Sān bēi chá)
Reservations and Seating
- Example: Table for four at 7 PM
  - 晚上七点的四人桌 (Wǎn shàng qī diǎn de sì rén zhuō)
- Example: Reservation under the name Wang for 5 people
  - 王先生的五人预订 (Wáng xiān shēng de wǔ rén yù dìng)
Menu Prices and Bills
- Example: The total bill is 250 yuan
  - 总账单是250元 (Zǒng zhàng dān shì èr bǎi wǔ shí yuán)
- Example: Each dish is priced at 30 yuan
  - 每道菜30元 (Měi dào cài sān shí yuán)

Learning Tools and Resources

Here are some tools and platforms that offer Mandarin courses:

Linda Mandarin: Offers online Mandarin courses with live teachers, focusing on all language skills from beginner to advanced levels.

Coursera: Offers Mandarin courses from universities, including “Learn Chinese: HSK Test Preparation” which covers vocabulary and grammar for all HSK levels.

“Integrated Chinese” Series: A widely used textbook that covers all aspects of Mandarin learning, from beginner to advanced levels.

“New Practical Chinese Reader” Series: Another popular textbook series that provides comprehensive vocabulary, grammar, and cultural insights lessons.

Anki Flashcards: A digital flashcard app that offers pre-made decks for Mandarin vocabulary and phrases, allowing for spaced repetition practice.

These tools and resources provide a well-rounded approach to Mandarin Chinese, catering to different learning styles and needs.

Conclusion

This guide covered the basics of writing, reading, and pronouncing Chinese numbers. We explored the structure of Chinese numbers from single digits to thousands, emphasising the importance of correct stroke order for writing.

Mastering Chinese numbers is fundamental to learning Mandarin and understanding Chinese culture. Regular practice will enhance your proficiency and confidence in using numbers in various contexts.

Keep practising, stay curious, and continue exploring the fascinating world of Chinese numbers!

Ready to Level Up Your Chinese Numbers Skills and Conversational Skills?