Learning to say numbers in Chinese can be a valuable skill, whether you plan to travel to China, work with Chinese speakers, or simply expand your language capabilities. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways to say Chinese numbers 1-100. We will also provide some tips, examples, and regional variations where necessary. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Chinese Numbers 1-10
Let’s begin with the formal way of saying numbers 1-10 in Chinese:
一 – Yī: One
二 – Èr: Two
三 – Sān: Three
四 – Sì: Four
五 – Wǔ: Five
六 – Liù: Six
七 – Qī: Seven
八 – Bā: Eight
九 – Jiǔ: Nine
十 – Shí: Ten
These numbers are commonly used in formal situations, such as when addressing someone’s age or counting objects.
Formal Ways to Say Chinese Numbers 11-100
Now, let’s move on to the formal way of saying numbers 11-100:
十一 – Shíyī: Eleven
十二 – Shí’èr: Twelve
十三 – Shísān: Thirteen
十四 – Shísì: Fourteen
十五 – Shíwǔ: Fifteen
十六 – Shíliù: Sixteen
十七 – Shíqī: Seventeen
十八 – Shíbā: Eighteen
十九 – Shíjiǔ: Nineteen
二十 – Èrshí: Twenty
二十一 – Èrshíyī: Twenty-one
二十二 – Èrshí’èr: Twenty-two
…
九十九 – Jiǔshíjiǔ: Ninety-nine
一百 – Yībǎi: One hundred
By combining the words for the tens (十) and the individual digits, you can create the numbers from 11 to 99. The pattern is similar to that of English, where the tens digit comes first followed by the units digit.
Informal Ways to Say Chinese Numbers 1-100
In casual conversations or everyday situations, native Chinese speakers often use informal ways to say numbers. Here are some examples:
- 一 – Yāo: One
- 二 – Líng: Two
- 三 – Sā: Three
- 四 – Sèi: Four
- 五 – Wǔ: Five
- 六 – Ló: Six
- 七 – Chī: Seven
- 八 – Bā: Eight
- 九 – Jiǔ: Nine
- 十 – Shí: Ten
Note that the informal ways are often used when counting or in less formal settings among friends and acquaintances.
Regional Variations
Although Mandarin Chinese is the official language in China, regional variations exist when it comes to pronouncing numbers. Here are a few examples of how numbers may be pronounced differently in different parts of China:
- Some people in southern China may pronounce “four” (四 – Sì) as “se” or “sei.”
- In some regions, “eight” (八 – Bā) might be pronounced as “bār.”
- The pronunciation of “nine” (九 – Jiǔ) may vary, with some regions pronouncing it as “jiǔr.”
These variations are mainly due to local accents and dialects. However, standard Mandarin Chinese can generally be understood throughout the country.
Additional Tips for Learning Chinese Numbers
Here are some additional tips to help you master Chinese numbers:
- Listen and practice: The best way to become comfortable with pronouncing Chinese numbers is to listen to native speakers and practice regularly.
- Pay attention to tone: Chinese is a tonal language, so make sure to note the tone for each number. A change in tone can change the meaning entirely.
- Use gestures: When you encounter difficulty understanding or being understood, consider using hand gestures or writing down the numbers to ensure clear communication.
- Practice with flashcards: Create flashcards with numbers and their Chinese characters to practice recognition and pronunciation.
- Break numbers into parts: For larger numbers, break them down into smaller segments to make them more manageable. For example, 67 can be thought of as “six tens seven.”
Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to engage in conversations or use online resources to improve your Chinese number skills!
We hope this guide has helped you gain a better understanding of how to say Chinese numbers 1-100. By learning both the formal and informal ways of saying these numbers, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate everyday situations and engage with Chinese speakers confidently.
