How to Count in Chinese
Learning numbers and counting in Chinese is simplified because the Chinese number system is extremely regular. The entire number system is based on counting the number of tens and then adding the ones. For example, 11 is shíyî, which is 10 (shí) plus 1 (yî); 21 is èrshíyī, which is 2 (èr) times 10 (shí) plus 1 (yî).
Chinese Numbers
| yî |
1 |
| èr |
2 |
| sân |
3 |
| sì |
4 |
| wŭ |
5 |
| liù |
6 |
| qî |
7 |
| bâ |
8 |
| jiŭ |
9 |
| shí |
10 |
| shíyî |
11 |
| shíèr |
12 |
| shísân |
13 |
| shísì |
14 |
| shíwŭ |
15 |
| shíliù |
16 |
| shíqî |
17 |
| shíbâ |
18 |
| shíjiŭ |
19 |
| èrshí |
20 |
| èrshíyî |
21 |
| èrshíèr |
22 |
| èrshísân |
23 |
| sânshí |
30 |
| sânshíyî |
31 |
| sânshíèr |
32 |
| sìshí |
40 |
| sìshíyî |
41 |
| sìshíèr |
42 |
| wŭshí |
50 |
| liùshí |
60 |
| qîshí |
70 |
| bâshí |
80 |
| jiŭshí |
90 |
| jiŭshíjiŭ |
99 |
| yìbãi |
100 |
| yìqiân |
1,000 |
In Chinese, numbers are read the same way they are in English. You would say how many hundreds, how many tens, and then how many ones. For example, you would say 135 by saying, yìbãi (one hundred) sânshí (three tens, or thirty) wŭ (five). So, 6,427 would be read as liùqiân sìbãi èrshí qî.
The following phrases can show how numbers can be used in conversation.
Chen: nĭ duó dà? (for people older than 10); nĭ jĭsuì? (for children) (How old are you?)
Michael: wŏ èrshíwŭ suì. (I am 25 years old.)
Chen: shuāngrénfáng shì duōshăo qián? (How much does a double room cost?)
Michael: shuāngrénfáng shì yìbăiérshí kuài. (It costs $120.)
Language Phrases Glossary
accusative case
When noun or pronoun is the direct object of the verb of the sentence, you are required to switch to the accusative case ending.
Language Phrases Glossary
dative case
When noun or pronoun is the indirect object of the verb of the sentence, you are required to switch to the dative case ending.
Language Phrases Glossary
genitive case
When the noun or pronoun indicates possession, you are required switch to the genitive case ending.
Language Phrases Glossary
instrumental case
A Russian grammatical term that indicates that the noun or pronoun assist in the carrying out of an action, you are required to switch to the accusative case ending.
Language Phrases Glossary
interrogative
Words used to ask questions, such as who, what, when, where, and why.
Language Phrases Glossary
macron
A small, horizontal mark above the vowel that indicates a long vowel sound. Make the vowel sound like its name.
Language Phrases Glossary
nominative case
When noun or pronoun is the subject of the sentence, you are required to switch to the nominative case ending.
Language Phrases Glossary
prepositional case
A grammatical case that indicates that the noun or pronoun is the object of a preposition, you are required to switch to the accusative case ending. Used with the Russian prepositions: v (v; in), na (nah; on), o (oh; about), and ob (ohb; about).
