Guide: How to Say Numbers in Chinese

Hello there! If you’re eager to learn how to say numbers in Chinese, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore both formal and informal ways of expressing numbers in Mandarin Chinese. We’ll also touch upon regional variations when necessary to give you a comprehensive understanding. So, let’s dive in!

Formal Ways to Express Numbers

Chinese has a unique numerical system that can greatly differ from the Western way of counting. To express numbers formally, you’ll need to start by learning the basic number words. Below, we’ve highlighted the Chinese character, pinyin pronunciation, and the English translation for the numbers 1 to 10:

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

Now let’s learn how to form numbers beyond ten. Chinese numbers follow a logical pattern where you combine the individual digits to form larger numbers. For example:

1. 11: 十一 (shí yī) – Ten One (literally)
2. 25: 二十五 (èr shí wǔ) – Two Ten Five
3. 47: 四十七 (sì shí qī) – Four Ten Seven

This pattern continues into the hundreds, thousands, and beyond. Here are a few examples:

1. 100: 一百 (yī bǎi) – One Hundred
2. 500: 五百 (wǔ bǎi) – Five Hundred
3. 1,000: 一千 (yī qiān) – One Thousand
4. 10,000: 一万 (yī wàn) – Ten Thousand
5. 1,000,000: 一百万 (yī bǎi wàn) – One Million

Informal Ways to Express Numbers

Informally, Chinese speakers often use a different counting system, which makes conversations more efficient. Instead of using individual number words, you can simply use the numerical symbols. Here are the symbols and their corresponding pronunciations:

0: 〇 (líng)

1: 一 (yāo)

2: 二 (èr)

3: 三 (sān)

4: 四 (sì)

5: 五 (wǔ)

6: 六 (liù)

7: 七 (qī)

8: 八 (bā)

9: 九 (jiǔ)

Using this system, numbers can be expressed more quickly, especially in informal contexts like phone numbers, prices, or addresses.

Regional Variations

While Mandarin Chinese is the official language of mainland China and Taiwan, there are regional variations in how numbers are spoken. For instance:

• In Beijing, the number 2 (二, pronounced “èr”) is commonly spoken as “liǎng.”
• In Taiwan and Southern China, the number 9 (九, pronounced “jiǔ”) is sometimes pronounced as “gau”.
• In some regions, the numbers 14 (十四, pronounced “shí sì”) and 24 (二十四, pronounced “èr shí sì”) may be considered unlucky due to their similar sound to “shí sì” (十死), which means “ten die” in Mandarin.

Remember, these variations mainly occur in spoken language and are not essential knowledge for basic communication. But if you encounter them, it’s good to be aware of these nuances!

Tips for Learning Number Pronunciations

Learning to pronounce numbers accurately may take some practice, but here are a few tips to help you along the way:

1. Focus on mastering the pronunciation of individual digits before moving on to larger numbers.
2. Pay attention to tones. Accurate tone pronunciation is crucial in Mandarin Chinese, as it can completely change the meaning of a word.
3. Practice listening to and imitating native speakers. Watching Chinese TV shows, movies, or listening to podcasts can greatly improve your pronunciation skills.
4. Make use of language-learning apps or websites that provide audio recordings to reinforce your learning.

Remember, practice makes perfect!

Conclusion

Congratulations on reaching the end of our guide on how to say numbers in Chinese! We hope you found this resource helpful in your language-learning journey. Remember, understanding how to express numbers in Chinese, both formally and informally, is an essential skill for effective communication. Whether you’re counting objects or exchanging phone numbers, these phrases will come in handy. With practice and dedication, you’ll soon be able to confidently communicate numbers in Mandarin Chinese.

Happy learning, and 加油 (jiā yóu) – keep up the good work!