Mastering Numbers: A Comprehensive Guide to Counting in Chinese
Learning to count in Chinese is a fundamental step in mastering the language. Whether you’re planning a trip to China, learning Mandarin for business, or simply expanding your linguistic horizons, understanding the Chinese number system is crucial. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the basics, from counting to ten to handling larger numbers, providing detailed steps and explanations along the way.
## Why Learn to Count in Chinese?
Before diving into the specifics, let’s understand why learning to count in Chinese is so important:
* **Foundation for Further Learning:** Numbers are the building blocks of many other concepts in the language, such as dates, times, money, and measurements.
* **Practical Application:** You’ll need to count in everyday situations, like shopping, ordering food, or making travel arrangements.
* **Cultural Understanding:** The Chinese number system has a rich history and cultural significance. Understanding it provides insight into Chinese culture and thinking.
* **Cognitive Benefits:** Learning a new number system can enhance your cognitive abilities and memory skills.
## The Basic Numbers (1-10)
The first ten numbers are the foundation of the entire Chinese number system. Here’s a breakdown:
* **一 (yī) – One:** Pronounced like “ee” in “see.”
* **二 (èr) – Two:** Pronounced like “are” but with a slight “r” sound.
* **三 (sān) – Three:** Pronounced like “sahn.”
* **四 (sì) – Four:** Pronounced like “suh” with a falling tone.
* **五 (wǔ) – Five:** Pronounced like “woo” with a rising tone.
* **六 (liù) – Six:** Pronounced like “leo” with a falling tone.
* **七 (qī) – Seven:** Pronounced like “chee.”
* **八 (bā) – Eight:** Pronounced like “bah.”
* **九 (jiǔ) – Nine:** Pronounced like “jee-oh” with a rising tone.
* **十 (shí) – Ten:** Pronounced like “shuh” with a rising tone.
**Pronunciation Tips:**
* Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language, meaning that the meaning of a word can change depending on the tone in which it is spoken. Pay close attention to the tones when learning the numbers.
* Use online resources or language learning apps to hear the correct pronunciation of each number.
* Practice speaking the numbers aloud and try to mimic the sounds you hear.
## Numbers 11-19
Once you know the numbers 1-10, forming the numbers 11-19 is relatively straightforward. You simply combine “ten” (十) with the numbers 1-9.
* **十一 (shí yī) – Eleven:** Ten + One
* **十二 (shí èr) – Twelve:** Ten + Two
* **十三 (shí sān) – Thirteen:** Ten + Three
* **十四 (shí sì) – Fourteen:** Ten + Four
* **十五 (shí wǔ) – Fifteen:** Ten + Five
* **十六 (shí liù) – Sixteen:** Ten + Six
* **十七 (shí qī) – Seventeen:** Ten + Seven
* **十八 (shí bā) – Eighteen:** Ten + Eight
* **十九 (shí jiǔ) – Nineteen:** Ten + Nine
## Numbers 20-99
To form the numbers 20-99, you combine the multiples of ten (20, 30, 40, etc.) with the numbers 1-9.
First, let’s learn the multiples of ten:
* **二十 (èr shí) – Twenty:** Two + Ten
* **三十 (sān shí) – Thirty:** Three + Ten
* **四十 (sì shí) – Forty:** Four + Ten
* **五十 (wǔ shí) – Fifty:** Five + Ten
* **六十 (liù shí) – Sixty:** Six + Ten
* **七十 (qī shí) – Seventy:** Seven + Ten
* **八十 (bā shí) – Eighty:** Eight + Ten
* **九十 (jiǔ shí) – Ninety:** Nine + Ten
Now, let’s combine these with the numbers 1-9:
* **二十一 (èr shí yī) – Twenty-one:** Two + Ten + One
* **二十二 (èr shí èr) – Twenty-two:** Two + Ten + Two
* **三十五 (sān shí wǔ) – Thirty-five:** Three + Ten + Five
* **四十八 (sì shí bā) – Forty-eight:** Four + Ten + Eight
* **九十九 (jiǔ shí jiǔ) – Ninety-nine:** Nine + Ten + Nine
**Important Note:** When the ones place is zero, you only say the multiple of ten. For example, 30 is 三十 (sān shí), not 三十零 (sān shí líng). While you *can* say 三十零, it’s unnecessary and sounds unnatural.
## Hundreds
The word for “hundred” in Chinese is **百 (bǎi)**.
* **一百 (yì bǎi) – One Hundred:** One + Hundred. Note the change to *yì* (fourth tone) when followed by *bǎi* (third tone).
* **二百 (èr bǎi) – Two Hundred:** Two + Hundred
* **三百 (sān bǎi) – Three Hundred:** Three + Hundred
* **四百 (sì bǎi) – Four Hundred:** Four + Hundred
* **五百 (wǔ bǎi) – Five Hundred:** Five + Hundred
* **六百 (liù bǎi) – Six Hundred:** Six + Hundred
* **七百 (qī bǎi) – Seven Hundred:** Seven + Hundred
* **八百 (bā bǎi) – Eight Hundred:** Eight + Hundred
* **九百 (jiǔ bǎi) – Nine Hundred:** Nine + Hundred
To form numbers between 101 and 999, you need to include the word **零 (líng)**, which means “zero,” to indicate the absence of tens.
* **一百零一 (yì bǎi líng yī) – One Hundred and One:** One + Hundred + Zero + One
* **二百零五 (èr bǎi líng wǔ) – Two Hundred and Five:** Two + Hundred + Zero + Five
* **三百一十 (sān bǎi yī shí) – Three Hundred and Ten:** Three + Hundred + One + Ten. Note that in this case, the “one” can be omitted and it is OK to say **三百十 (sān bǎi shí)**
For numbers between 111 and 999, you combine the hundreds, tens, and ones:
* **一百一十一 (yì bǎi yī shí yī) – One Hundred and Eleven:** One + Hundred + One + Ten + One
* **二百五十六 (èr bǎi wǔ shí liù) – Two Hundred and Fifty-six:** Two + Hundred + Five + Ten + Six
* **九百九十九 (jiǔ bǎi jiǔ shí jiǔ) – Nine Hundred and Ninety-nine:** Nine + Hundred + Nine + Ten + Nine
## Thousands
The word for “thousand” in Chinese is **千 (qiān)**.
* **一千 (yì qiān) – One Thousand:** One + Thousand. Note the change to *yì* (fourth tone) when followed by *qiān* (first tone).
* **二千 (èr qiān) – Two Thousand:** Two + Thousand
* **三千 (sān qiān) – Three Thousand:** Three + Thousand
* **四千 (sì qiān) – Four Thousand:** Four + Thousand
* **五千 (wǔ qiān) – Five Thousand:** Five + Thousand
* **六千 (liù qiān) – Six Thousand:** Six + Thousand
* **七千 (qī qiān) – Seven Thousand:** Seven + Thousand
* **八千 (bā qiān) – Eight Thousand:** Eight + Thousand
* **九千 (jiǔ qiān) – Nine Thousand:** Nine + Thousand
When forming numbers between 1001 and 9999, you use the same principles as with hundreds, adding 零 (líng) where necessary.
* **一千零一 (yì qiān líng yī) – One Thousand and One:** One + Thousand + Zero + One
* **二千零五十 (èr qiān líng wǔ shí) – Two Thousand and Fifty:** Two + Thousand + Zero + Five + Ten
* **三千零一十 (sān qiān líng yī shí) – Three Thousand and Ten:** Three + Thousand + Zero + One + Ten
* **四千五百六十七 (sì qiān wǔ bǎi liù shí qī) – Four Thousand Five Hundred and Sixty-seven:** Four + Thousand + Five + Hundred + Six + Ten + Seven
**Important Note:** Only one 零 (líng) is needed between digits. For example, 1005 is 一千零五 (yì qiān líng wǔ), not 一千零零五.
## Ten Thousands and Beyond
The word for “ten thousand” in Chinese is **万 (wàn)**.
* **一万 (yí wàn) – Ten Thousand:** One + Ten Thousand. Note the tone change to *yí* (second tone) when followed by *wàn* (fourth tone).
* **二万 (èr wàn) – Twenty Thousand:** Two + Ten Thousand
* **三万 (sān wàn) – Thirty Thousand:** Three + Ten Thousand
Here’s where it gets interesting. Chinese uses 万 (wàn) as a base for larger numbers, unlike the Western system, which uses thousand, million, billion, etc.
* **十万 (shí wàn) – One Hundred Thousand:** Ten + Ten Thousand
* **一百万 (yì bǎi wàn) – One Million:** One + Hundred + Ten Thousand
* **一千万 (yì qiān wàn) – Ten Million:** One + Thousand + Ten Thousand
To express larger numbers, you combine 万 (wàn) with other units. For example:
* **一亿 (yí yì) – One Hundred Million:** This is a new unit, 亿 (yì), which equals 100,000,000 or 10,000 万 (wàn). *Note: The tone of “一” changes to second tone before a fourth tone.*
* **十亿 (shí yì) – One Billion:** Ten + 亿 (yì)
Let’s break down a very large number:
**1,234,567,890**
In Chinese, this would be expressed as:
**十二亿三千四百五十六万七千八百九十 (shí èr yì sān qiān sì bǎi wǔ shí liù wàn qī qiān bā bǎi jiǔ shí)**
Which translates to: Twelve + 亿 (yì) + Three + Thousand + Four + Hundred + Fifty + Six + 万 (wàn) + Seven + Thousand + Eight + Hundred + Ninety.
## Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
* **Forgetting 零 (líng):** Remember to use 零 (líng) to indicate the absence of tens or hundreds, especially when they are in the middle of a number. For example, 105 is 一百零五, not 一百五.
* **Incorrect Tone Usage:** Tones are crucial in Mandarin Chinese. Practice the correct tones for each number to avoid misunderstandings. Use online resources and language learning apps to help you.
* **Confusing 十 (shí) and 四 (sì):** These two sounds are similar and can be easily confused. Pay close attention to the tones and practice distinguishing between them.
* **Not Understanding the 万 (wàn) System:** The Chinese system of using 万 (wàn) as a base for larger numbers can be confusing for Western learners. Make sure you understand how to combine 万 (wàn) with other units to express larger numbers correctly.
## Tips for Practice and Memorization
* **Use Flashcards:** Create flashcards with the Chinese characters, pinyin, and English translations of the numbers. Review them regularly to reinforce your memory.
* **Practice with Native Speakers:** The best way to improve your pronunciation and fluency is to practice with native speakers. Find a language partner or tutor who can provide feedback and correction.
* **Use Language Learning Apps:** There are many language learning apps available that can help you learn and practice Chinese numbers. Some popular options include Duolingo, Memrise, and HelloChinese.
* **Incorporate Numbers into Daily Life:** Try to use Chinese numbers in your daily life. For example, count your change in Chinese, read the time in Chinese, or practice counting objects around you.
* **Watch Chinese Videos and Listen to Chinese Music:** Immerse yourself in the language by watching Chinese videos and listening to Chinese music. This will help you become more familiar with the sounds and rhythms of the language.
* **Play Number Games:** There are many number games available online that can make learning Chinese numbers more fun and engaging. Try playing games like bingo or memory match using Chinese numbers.
* **Write the numbers repeatedly:** Writing the characters reinforces memory and helps with recognition.
## Cultural Significance of Numbers in Chinese Culture
Numbers hold significant cultural meaning in Chinese culture. Some numbers are considered lucky, while others are considered unlucky.
* **Lucky Numbers:**
* **八 (bā) – Eight:** Considered the luckiest number because its pronunciation is similar to the word for “prosperity” or “wealth” (发 – fā).
* **六 (liù) – Six:** Associated with smoothness and ease in life.
* **九 (jiǔ) – Nine:** Represents longevity and eternity.
* **Unlucky Numbers:**
* **四 (sì) – Four:** Considered the unluckiest number because its pronunciation is similar to the word for “death” (死 – sǐ).
Understanding these cultural associations can help you navigate social situations and avoid making cultural faux pas.
## Practical Exercises
Here are some practical exercises to help you practice counting in Chinese:
1. **Counting Objects:** Count the number of items in your house, such as books, chairs, or plates. Say the numbers aloud in Chinese.
2. **Telling Time:** Practice telling time in Chinese. Learn how to say the hours and minutes using Chinese numbers.
3. **Shopping:** When you go shopping, try to calculate the total cost of your items in Chinese.
4. **Making Phone Calls:** If you have a Chinese-speaking friend, practice saying phone numbers in Chinese.
5. **Writing Dates:** Practice writing dates in Chinese. Learn how to say the year, month, and day using Chinese numbers.
## Additional Resources
* **Online Dictionaries:** Use online dictionaries like Pleco or MDBG to look up the pronunciation and meaning of Chinese numbers.
* **Language Learning Apps:** Use language learning apps like Duolingo, Memrise, or HelloChinese to practice Chinese numbers.
* **YouTube Videos:** Watch YouTube videos on how to count in Chinese. There are many helpful videos available that provide visual and auditory aids.
* **Textbooks and Workbooks:** Use Chinese textbooks and workbooks to learn and practice Chinese numbers.
* **Language Exchange Partners:** Find a language exchange partner who can help you practice your Chinese and provide feedback.
## Conclusion
Learning to count in Chinese is an essential skill for anyone interested in the language and culture. By mastering the basic numbers, understanding the structure of the number system, and practicing regularly, you can confidently count in Chinese and use numbers in everyday situations. Remember to pay attention to the tones and cultural significance of numbers, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. With dedication and practice, you’ll be counting like a pro in no time! 加油 (jiā yóu) – Add oil! (Come on!)