一到十
The phrase "one to ten" in Mandarin is 一到十.
For example, you might use it when describing a set of items like 一本书 (one book).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 一到十 is composed of 一 (one), 到 (to/until) and 十 (ten).
How does it change in a sentence?
In this numerical range, the character 到 (dào) functions as a preposition meaning "to" or "reaching".
When do people say it?
In Mandarin culture, the number four sì is generally avoided or considered unlucky because it is associated with the word for death sǐ.
Did you know?
- In many parts of China, people use hand gestures to count from one to ten on a single hand. Each number from six to ten has its own unique finger configuration, rather than just counting up the fingers.
- The number eight 八 (bā) is considered the luckiest number in the sequence because it sounds like the word for 'wealth' or 'prosperity' 发 (fā).
- While 一到十 means 'one to ten', the phrase 十全十美 uses these numbers to describe something that is 'perfect in every way'. It literally translates to 'ten complete and ten beautiful'.
Examples in context
- 请从一数到十。Please count from one to ten.
- 这个号码是一到十之间的。Zhège hàomǎ shì yī dào shí zhī jiān de.This number is between one and ten.
- 一到十的范围很小。Yī dào shí de fànwéi hěn xiǎo.The range from one to ten is very small.
Example conversation
Jiayi is teaching Junjie how to count in Mandarin.
- 佳怡 Jiayi俊杰，试着数一到十。Jùnjié, shìzhe shǔ yī dào shí.Junjie, try counting from one to ten.
- 俊杰 Junjie一，二，三… 我会了！Yī, èr, sān… wǒ huì le!One, two, three… I've got it!
- 佳怡 Jiayi做得很好，很流畅。Zuò dé hěn hǎo, hěn liúchàng.Well done, it was very fluent.
- 俊杰 Junjie谢谢佳怡。Xièxie Jiāyí.Thank you, Jiayi.
