How to Count to 100 in Chinese (with examples)
When learning Chinese, numbers are fundamental and an indispensable part of daily life. Mastering Chinese numbers will enable you to comfortably navigate shopping, exchange phone numbers, discuss ages, and much more. Today, we'll guide you through numbers from 1 to 100 with clear examples, helping you unlock the secrets of Chinese numbers!
Chinese Numbers 1-10
These are the foundation for all numbers, so make sure to memorise them:
- 1: 一 (yī)
- 2: 二 (èr)
- 3: 三 (sān)
- 4: 四 (sì)
- 5: 五 (wǔ)
- 6: 六 (liù)
- 7: 七 (qī)
- 8: 八 (bā)
- 9: 九 (jiǔ)
- 10: 十 (shí)
Chinese Numbers 11-19: Ten + Single Digit
Numbers from 11 to 19 in Chinese are very straightforward. Simply add the single digit after "十" (shí - ten):
- 11: 十一 (shíyī)
- 12: 十二 (shí'èr)
- 13: 十三 (shísān)
- 14: 十四 (shísì)
- 15: 十五 (shíwǔ)
- 16: 十六 (shíliù)
- 17: 十七 (shíqī)
- 18: 十八 (shíbā)
- 19: 十九 (shíjiǔ)
Chinese Numbers 20-99: Tens Digit + Ten + Single Digit
From 20 onwards, Chinese numbers are formed by "tens digit + 十 (shí) + single digit." For example, 20 is "二 + 十 (二十 - èrshí)," and 21 is "二 + 十 + 一 (二十一 - èrshíyī)."
- 20: 二十 (èrshí)
- 21: 二十一 (èrshíyī)
- 30: 三十 (sānshí)
- 35: 三十五 (sānshíwǔ)
- 40: 四十 (sìshí)
- 48: 四十八 (sìshíbā)
- 50: 五十 (wǔshí)
- 59: 五十九 (wǔshíjiǔ)
- 60: 六十 (liùshí)
- 62: 六十二 (liùshí'èr)
- 70: 七十 (qīshí)
- 77: 七十七 (qīshíqī)
- 80: 八十 (bāshí)
- 84: 八十四 (bāshísì)
- 90: 九十 (jiǔshí)
- 99: 九十九 (jiǔshíjiǔ)
Chinese Number 100
- 100: 一百 (yībǎi)
Number Pronunciation Tips:
- "二" (èr) vs. "两" (liǎng): When indicating quantity, the number '2' (èr) is sometimes replaced by "两" (liǎng). For example, "两个人" (liǎng gè rén - two people), "两本书" (liǎng běn shū - two books). However, in phone numbers, ordinal numbers (第二 - dì'èr - second), and calculations (二十 - èrshí - twenty), "二" is still used.
- Tone Changes: Pay attention to tone changes when numbers are pronounced in a sequence, especially for "一" (yī - one) and "不" (bù - no).
- "一" is pronounced with the second tone (yí) before a fourth tone, e.g., "一个" (yí gè - one).
- "一" is pronounced with the fourth tone (yì) before other tones, e.g., "一天" (yì tiān - one day).
- Listen and Practice More: Listen to Chinese songs, watch Chinese shows, pay close attention to the actual pronunciation of numbers, and practice repeating them aloud.
Mastering Chinese numbers from 1 to 100 is a significant step in your journey of learning the Chinese language. With consistent practice, you'll be able to fluently use these numbers in your daily conversations!