Mastering Numbers in Chinese: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

Numbers play a pivotal role in language and culture, especially in Chinese. For beginner learners, understanding numbers goes beyond simple counting; it encompasses cultural significance, legends, and proverbs. In this guide, we will explore how to form numbers from 1 to 100 and beyond, while also delving into the cultural importance of these numbers through fascinating stories and idioms.

Forming Numbers in Chinese

Understanding how to form numbers in Chinese is essential for effective communication and everyday interactions. In this section, we will start with the basic numbers from 1 to 10, which serve as the foundation for all larger numbers. We will then explore how to combine these numbers to express values from 11 to 99, using simple rules that make it easy to construct and pronounce larger numbers. Let’s dive in!

Basic Numbers (1-10)

Let’s start with the basics. Here are the Numbers 1 to 10 in Chinese:

Number	Chinese	Pinyin
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

Forming Numbers from 11-99

To form numbers from 11 to 99, you can combine the basic numbers with the word for ten (十, shí).

Here’s how it works:

11-19: For numbers 11 to 19, say “ten” first and then add the single digit.

• 11: 十一 (shí yī)

• 12: 十二 (shí èr)

• 13: 十三 (shí sān)

• 14: 十四 (shí sì)

• 15: 十五 (shí wǔ)

• 16: 十六 (shí liù)

• 17: 十七 (shí qī)

• 18: 十八 (shí bā)

• 19: 十九 (shí jiǔ)

20-90: For multiples of ten, simply add the base number followed by 十 (shí).

• 20: 二十 (èr shí)

• 30: 三十 (sān shí)

• 40: 四十 (sì shí)

• 50: 五十 (wǔ shí)

• 60: 六十 (liù shí)

• 70: 七十 (qī shí)

• 80: 八十 (bā shí)

• 90: 九十 (jiǔ shí)

21-29, 31-39, etc.: For numbers between the tens, say the ten first, followed by the single digit.

• 21: 二十一 (èr shí yī)

• 32: 三十二 (sān shí èr)

• 45: 四十五 (sì shí wǔ)

• 58: 五十八 (wǔ shí bā)

  
  

Summary

• 11-19: 十 + single digit

• 20-90: Base number + 十

• 21-29, 31-39, etc.: Base number + 十 + single digit

Ready to count? Count along with this video!

Larger Numbers: 100, 1000, and 10,000

Understanding larger numbers is crucial as well:

• 100: 一百 (yī bǎi)

• 1000: 一千 (yī qiān)

• 10,000: 一万 (yī wàn)

To form numbers in the hundreds and thousands, follow this structure:

101-199:

• 101: 一百零一 (yī bǎi líng yī)

• 150: 一百五十 (yī bǎi wǔ shí)

200-900:

• 200: 二百 (èr bǎi)

• 750: 七百五十 (qī bǎi wǔ shí)

1000-9999:

• 1500: 一千五百 (yī qiān wǔ bǎi)

• 3000: 三千 (sān qiān)

10,000 and Beyond:

• 20,000: 两万 (liǎng wàn)

• 50,000: 五万 (wǔ wàn)

Time to Practise

Grammar You Must Know

In Chinese, nouns often require measure words when counted.

Measure Words (量词, liàng cí)

In Chinese, nouns often require measure words when counted.

For example:

个 (gè): A general measure word used for people and many other objects. 两个人 (liǎng gè rén): Two people	本 (běn): Used for counting books. 三本书 (sān běn shū): Three books
只 (zhī): Used for counting animals or one of a pair. 四只猫 (sì zhī māo): Four cats	门 (mén): Used for counting school subjects. 八门课 (bān mén kè): Eight subjects

Check out this tutorial on Measure Words for Clothing & Accessories:

Special Use of 两 (liǎng)

In Chinese, when counting or referring to quantities, we use 两 (liǎng) instead of 二 (èr) for the number two, especially when it comes before a measure word. This helps avoid confusion in certain contexts.

• Examples:

  • Two siblings: 两个兄弟姐妹 (liǎng gè xiōng dì jiě mèi)

  • Two books: 两本书 (liǎng běn shū)

  • Two apples: 两个苹果 (liǎng gè píng guǒ)

  • Two o'clock: 两点钟 (liǎng diǎn zhōng)

Ordinal Numbers (序数词, xù shù cí)

To express order or rank, ordinal numbers are formed by adding "第" (dì) before the number:

• First: 第一 (dì yī)

• Second: 第二 (dì èr)

• Third: 第三 (dì sān)

• Fourth: 第四 (dì sì)

• Fifth: 第五 (dì wǔ)

• Sixth: 第六 (dì liù)

• Seventh: 第七 (dì qī)

• Eighth: 第八 (dì bā)

• Ninth: 第九 (dì jiǔ)

• Tenth: 第十 (dì shí)

Cultural Significance of Numbers

Understanding how to form numbers is essential, but knowing their cultural significance makes it even more enriching. Let’s explore some lucky and unlucky numbers along with their legends and proverbs.

😊Lucky Numbers

⭐The Joy of Two (二, èr)

The number 2 is also considered lucky because it represents pairs. In Chinese culture, good things are believed to come in pairs, illustrated by the proverb "好事成双" (hǎo shì chéng shuāng), meaning "good things come in pairs."

Wedding Traditions: During weddings, it’s common to see double happiness symbols (囍, shuāng xǐ) displayed prominently. This symbol represents marital bliss and good fortune, emphasizing the belief in the power of togetherness.

⭐The Flow of Six (六, liù)

The number 6 is another lucky number, as its pronunciation is similar to the word for "smooth" (流, liú). The idiom "六六大顺" (liù liù dà shùn) translates to "smooth sailing," suggesting that everything will go well.

Use of 666: In recent years, the number 666 has gained popularity as a form of internet slang in Chinese online culture. It is used to express approval or admiration, similar to saying "awesome" or "nice." This usage stems from the pronunciation of 666, which sounds like 溜溜溜 (liù liù liù), meaning "smooth" or "slick." In gaming contexts, players often type "666" in the chat after witnessing an impressive skill or achievement. As a result, this number has become a symbol of positivity and encouragement in the digital realm.

⭐The Magic of Eight (八, bā)

In Chinese culture, the number 8 is considered the luckiest number. This belief stems from its pronunciation, which sounds like the word for "fortune" (发, fā). Many people go to great lengths to incorporate the number 8 into their lives, from choosing phone numbers to picking wedding dates.

Legend of the Eight Immortals: One popular legend features the Eight Immortals (八仙, bā xiān), a group of legendary figures in Chinese folklore who symbolize prosperity and happiness. Each Immortal has unique powers and stories, and together, they represent good fortune and longevity.

⭐The Longevity of Nine (九, jiǔ)

As the number 9 sounds like the word for "long-lasting" (久, jiǔ). This number is often associated with eternal happiness and longevity.

Celebrations and Traditions Surrounding Nine:

In addition to 6 and 8, Chinese people hold 9 in high regard because of its auspicious connotations. On Valentine’s Day, it is common for a man to present his lover with 99 or 999 roses to symbolize eternal love. Similarly, in traditional Chinese marriage customs, the groom often gives a red packet containing CNY 9,999 to the bride’s family, blessing the couple with wishes for a long-lasting marriage.

The Emperor’s Long-lasting Reign:

Since Nine, the highest single-digit number in base ten, stands for completeness and eternity, many emperors in the ancient China love the number a lot. “Nine Continents” (九州, jiǔ zhōu) is used to describe the large territory of an empire. The emperors wore Nine-dragon Imperial Robes, ordered to construct Nine-dragon Walls and other buildings with relationship with number 9 in the imperial palaces, to show their great power, hope for longevity, and eternal reign of their empire.

The world-famous Forbidden City in Beijing is a representative palace of Nine. In this magnificent imperial palace of China’s Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) Dynasties, the total number of the rooms is 9, 999 and a half, symbolizing a connection to the divine. By having 9,999 rooms, the Forbidden City remains just shy of this heavenly ideal, symbolically reflecting the connection between the earthly realm and the divine.

Folktales of Nine:

Thanks to the special propitious meaning, number 9 and its multiples are also liked among Chinese folk. The Nines of Winter (Shu Jiu) is a popular folk song recording the weather changes during the nine periods of nine days each following the Winter Solstice.

In Feng Shui, the Dragon King is a divine creature full of Yang Chi, who controls all dragons, sea creatures, the oceans, and the weather. It is known to attract success, luck and good fortune. This dragon is believed to have had 9 sons.

😟Unlucky Numbers

💔The Fear of Four (四, sì)

While many numbers are considered lucky, some are avoided due to their negative connotations. The number 4 is especially unlucky because it sounds like the word for "death" (死, sǐ).

Superstitions Surrounding Four: Many buildings in China skip the fourth floor in elevators or label it as the fifth floor to avoid the association with death.

💔The Woes of Seven (七, qī)

The number 7 can also carry negative meanings, particularly in the context of funerals. In Chinese culture, the seventh month of the lunar calendar is associated with ghostly activities, making the number somewhat ominous.

Folktale of the Ghost Festival: During the Ghost Festival (中元节, zhōng yuán jié), people honor their ancestors and placate wandering spirits. The number 7 plays a central role in this festival, highlighting the cultural beliefs surrounding it.

Proverbs and Tongue Twisters

Proverbs and tongue twisters play a significant role in enriching language learning. Proverbs encapsulate cultural wisdom and provide insights into values and lessons, while tongue twisters help learners improve their pronunciation and fluency. Both serve as engaging tools for understanding numbers and their cultural significance. 

Proverbs

Proverbs enrich the understanding of numbers in culture:

• 三人行, 必有我师 (sān rén xíng, bì yǒu wǒ shī): "In a group of three, at least one can be my teacher," emphasizing the value of learning from diverse perspectives.

  
  

• 百闻不如一见 (bǎi wén bù rú yī jiàn): "Hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing once," highlighting the importance of direct experience.

  
  

• 三思而后行 (sān sī ér hòu xíng): "Think thrice before you act." It advises careful consideration before making decisions.

Tongue Twisters

Tongue twisters help with pronunciation and differentiating similar sounds:

四是四, 十是十, 四十是四十, 十四是十四。

sì shì sì, shí shì shí, sì shí shì sì shí, shí sì shì shí

"Four is four, ten is ten, forty is forty, fourteen is fourteen."

七加一，七减一，加完减完等于几？ 七加一，七减一，加完减完还是七。

qī jiā yī, qī jiǎn yī, jiā wán jiǎn wán děng yú jǐ? qī jiā yī, qī jiǎn yī, jiā wán jiǎn wán hái shì qī

"Seven plus one, seven minus one—what do they equal when added and subtracted? Seven plus one, seven minus one; when added and subtracted, they still equal seven."

Embracing the Richness of Numbers

Understanding these aspects of numbers can greatly enhance your proficiency in Chinese. Numbers are not just about counting; they reflect cultural nuances, practical applications, and deeper meanings. As you continue your learning journey, keep these insights in mind to enrich your understanding of the language and its culture!

Happy learning, and may your exploration of numbers lead to endless discoveries!❤️

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Mastering Numbers in Chinese: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners