万
wàn
The phrase "ten thousand" in Chinese is 万 (wàn).
The term 万 is used to denote 10,000, and larger numbers are expressed as multiples of this unit (e.g., 10万 is 100,000). In Chinese, the unit for ten thousand (万) is used as a base for large numbers, unlike the English system which groups by thousands.
Meaning: 10,000 (num)
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing the number 10,000, it is common to include the number one before 万.
How do you pronounce it?
wàn
Did you know?
- The term 万 is often used in the idiom 万一, which literally means 'if one ten-thousandth occurs', but is actually the common way to say 'if by any chance' or 'unexpectedly'.
- In some traditional contexts, 万 is used as a prefix for blessings, such as in the phrase 万岁, which literally translates to 'ten thousand years' but means 'long live'.
- In traditional Chinese culture, 万 represents the ultimate large number. This is why the 'Ten Thousand Things' is a common philosophical term in Taoism to describe the entirety of the created universe.
Examples in context
- 一万日元够吗？Will ten thousand yen do?This sentence is useful for asking if a specific amount of yen is sufficient using 万.Tatoeba #7781712 by jiangche, translation #73027 by CK
- 每位会员每月需支付一万日元。Each member has to pay ten thousand yen every month.This sentence is useful for describing a monthly membership payment involving 万.Tatoeba #478815 by biglion, translation #10117446 by AlanF_US
- 我要用一万美元买你们的房子。I will buy your house for ten thousand dollars.This sentence is useful for expressing a purchase price in dollars using 万.Tatoeba #9962903 by GlossaMatik, translation #2614615 by Amastan
- 李先生用一万块钱买了一辆新车。Mr. Li bought a new car for ten thousand RMB (Chinese currency).
- 昨天，我赢了一万块钱！Yesterday, I won ten thousand RMB!
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man and a woman are discussing the cost of a laptop.
- 梓涵 Zihan这部电脑要多少钱？zhè bù diànnǎo yào duōshao qián?How much is this computer?
- 浩然 Haoran大概一万块左右。dàgài yī wàn kuài zuǒyòu.About ten thousand yuan.
- 梓涵 Zihan浩然，一万块有点贵。Hàorán, yī wàn kuài yǒudiǎn guì.Haoran, ten thousand yuan is a bit expensive.
- 浩然 Haoran但是它的质量很好。dànshì tā de zhìliàng hěn hǎo.But the quality is very good.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
