Master Chinese Numbers One to Ten in Minutes

Count from one to ten in Chinese with clear pronunciation, characters, and tips. Master chinese numbers one to ten for daily use in just minutes.
Master Chinese Numbers One to Ten in Minutes

You can learn Chinese numbers one to ten in just a few minutes, even if you have never learned Chinese before. Many people around the world are learning Chinese now. There are over 40 million learners, and more people join every day. Most beginners think learning Chinese numbers is easy. Many can say and remember them in a few weeks by practicing online. Try to say each number from the table below out loud. This beginner’s guide to counting gives you simple steps and helpful tips. You do not need any experience. Coachers.org offers online coaching that is flexible, so you can learn Chinese numbers from anywhere. Begin your journey with this guide and learn Chinese with confidence.

English

Chinese Character

Pinyin

Pronunciation

1

ee

2

èr

ar

3

sān

san

4

suh

5

woo

6

liù

lyoh

7

chee

8

bah

9

jiǔ

joe

10

shí

shuh

Key Takeaways

  • You can learn Chinese numbers 1 to 10 fast by saying their characters, pinyin, and tones out loud.

  • Knowing these numbers helps you count, shop, tell time, and talk about amounts every day.

  • Practice the tones well because they change what numbers mean and help you speak clearly.

  • Use easy hand signs and memory tricks to remember numbers faster and make learning fun.

  • Coachers.org has online lessons and tools to help you learn from beginner to confident speaker.

Chinese Numbers 1-10 Overview

Chinese Numbers 1-10 Overview
Image Source: pexels

Numbers, Characters, and Pinyin

You might wonder, what are numbers 1 to 10 in Chinese? Learning these numbers is your first step to understanding how to count in Chinese. Each number has a unique character and a pinyin spelling that shows you how to say it. Here is a simple table to help you:

Number

Chinese Character

Pinyin

English Equivalent

1

one

2

èr

two

3

sān

three

4

four

5

five

6

liù

six

7

seven

8

eight

9

jiǔ

nine

10

shí

ten

You use these chinese numbers 1-10 every day in China. They appear in prices, dates, phone numbers, and addresses. These characters are logograms, which means each one stands for a specific value. You can build bigger numbers by combining these basic ones. For example, eleven is just ten plus one.

Tip: Mastering chinese numbers one to ten gives you the toolkit to handle shopping, telling time, and talking about quantities in Mandarin.

Pronunciation Basics

Mandarin Chinese uses tones to change the meaning of words. Each number from 1 to 10 has its own tone. For example, yī (one) uses the first tone, which is high and level. Èr (two) uses the fourth tone, which falls sharply. Some numbers, like yī, change tone depending on the words around them. For instance, yī becomes yí or yì in certain phrases.

Tones are important because they help people understand you. If you use the wrong tone, you might say a different word by mistake. Practice saying each number out loud. Listen for the rise and fall in your voice. This skill will help you sound more natural when you speak.

Chinese numbers 1-10 are the building blocks for all other numbers. You can use them to count, do math, and talk about money. The system is logical and consistent, so once you know these, you can learn bigger numbers easily. Many learners find that chinese numbers are easier to master than other parts of Mandarin, like grammar or vocabulary.

Remember: If you know what are numbers 1 to 10 in Chinese, you can start using them in real life right away!

Count from 1 to 10 in Chinese

Step-by-Step Guide

Learning to count from 1 to 10 in Chinese is simple when you follow a clear process. Each number has its own character, pinyin, and tone. You can use the table below to see how each number looks and sounds. Try to say each one out loud as you read.

Number

Chinese Character

Pinyin

Tone Description

Approximate English Pronunciation

1

High level pitch (flat)

"eee"

2

èr

Mid-level then falling

"err" (start higher, then lower)

3

sān

Rising from low to high

"sahn" (pitch rising)

4

High then falling

"suh" (start high, then drop)

5

Falling then rising

"woo" (pitch falls then rises)

6

liù

High then falling

"lyo" (start high, then fall)

7

Low dip then rise

"chee" (dip low then rise)

8

High and flat

"bah" (flat high pitch)

9

jiǔ

Falling then rising

"joe" (pitch falls then rises)

10

shí

High and flat

"shir" (flat high pitch)

You can use these numbers in many daily situations. For example, you might say 一双手 (yī shuāng shǒu) for "a pair of hands" or 三个番茄 (sān gè fān qié) for "three tomatoes." When you count from 1 to 10, you build a strong foundation for learning more numbers and phrases.

Tip: In Chinese, the number two can be said as 二 (èr) or 两 (liǎng). Use 两 before measure words, like 两只猫 (liǎng zhī māo) for "two cats." Use 二 for counting, dates, and numbers like 二十 (twenty).

Pronunciation and Tone Tips

Mandarin Chinese uses tones to give words different meanings. Each number from 1 to 10 has a specific tone. If you use the wrong tone, people might not understand you. Practice helps you get better at tones.

  • First tone: High and flat. Example: 一 (yī) sounds like "eee."

  • Second tone: Rising, like asking a question. Example: 三 (sān) sounds like "sahn" with your voice going up.

  • Third tone: Falling then rising. Example: 五 (wǔ) sounds like "woo," your voice dips then rises.

  • Fourth tone: Sharp and falling. Example: 四 (sì) sounds like "suh," your voice drops quickly.

You can listen to native speakers or use online tools to hear the correct tones. Try to repeat each number several times. Focus on the pitch and the way your voice moves. This practice will help you count to 10 in Chinese with confidence.

Here are some simple sentences to help you use each number:

Number

Example in Chinese

English Meaning

1

一双手 (yī shuāng shǒu)

a pair of hands

2

两只猫 (liǎng zhī māo)

two cats

3

三个番茄 (sān gè fān qié)

three tomatoes

4

四朵花 (sì duǒ huā)

four flowers

5

五片面包 (wǔ piàn miàn bāo)

five slices of bread

6

六本书 (liù běn shū)

six books

7

七棵树 (qī kē shù)

seven trees

8

八颗星星 (bā kē xīng xīng)

eight stars

9

九头牛 (jiǔ tóu niú)

nine cows

10

十匹马 (shí pǐ mǎ)

ten horses

Note: Practice saying these sentences out loud. This will help you remember the numbers and use them in real life.

Simple Mnemonics

You can use mnemonics to make learning Chinese numbers one to ten easier. Visual, auditory, and phrase-based tricks help you remember each number.

  • Gestures for Each Number:

    • 1 (一): Extend your index finger.

    • 2 (二): Extend your index and middle fingers.

    • 3 (三): Make an "OK" sign with thumb and index finger touching, other three fingers up.

    • 4 (四): Hold your thumb in your palm, extend four fingers.

    • 5 (五): Show all five fingers.

    • 6 (六): Extend your thumb and little finger.

    • 7 (七): Touch your thumb with index and middle fingers.

    • 8 (八): Extend your thumb and index finger like a gun.

    • 9 (九): Make a hook with your index finger.

    • 10 (十): Show your fist or cross both index fingers to form a "十".

  • Funny Memory Tricks:

    • For 5 (wǔ), think of a slap sound: "wu—oops, sorry!" This sound helps you remember the number.

    • For 7-9-8, the pinyin sounds like 去酒吧 (qù jiǔ bā), which means "go to the pub." This phrase links the numbers together.

Try using these gestures and phrases as you count from 1 to 10. They make learning more fun and help you remember faster.

The Logical Structure of Chinese Numbers

Chinese numbers follow a simple and logical pattern. Once you know the numbers from 1 to 10, you can combine them to make bigger numbers. For example, 11 is 十一 (shí yī), which means "ten one." Twenty is 二十 (èr shí), or "two ten." This pattern continues for hundreds and thousands.

Bar chart showing Arabic numbers and their literal Chinese meanings

Number

Chinese

Literal Meaning

11

十一 (shí yī)

ten one

25

二十五 (èr shí wǔ)

two ten five

35

三十五 (sān shí wǔ)

three ten five

100

一百 (yī bǎi)

one hundred

110

一百一十 (yī bǎi yī shí)

one hundred one ten

280

二百八十 (èr bǎi bā shí)

two hundred eight ten

This logical structure makes it easy for you to count from 1 to 10 and beyond. You do not need to memorize many new words. You just combine the numbers you already know. This is why many people find Chinese numbers simple to learn. The beginner’s guide to counting gives you the tools to build any number you need.

Remember: Once you master Chinese numbers one to ten, you can count to 10 in Chinese and quickly learn how to count in Chinese for any situation.

Learning Chinese Numbers with Coachers.org

Practice and Recall

You can remember Chinese numbers better by doing fun activities. Coachers.org suggests different ways to help you learn. Try using printable flashcards that show stroke order. These cards teach you how to write each number. They also help you spot the right character. Fill-in-the-blank games give you hints to remember number names. You can play matching, sorting, or guessing games with flashcards. These games make learning Chinese numbers fun and help you remember more.

Practice often. Use flashcards every day to review numbers. Getting praise makes you want to keep learning. Learning in both English and Chinese helps you understand faster. Pictures, stories, and music also help you remember. Coachers.org uses all these ideas in lessons so you can learn numbers fast.

Tip: Practice with friends or family. Make learning a game to have more fun.

Flexible Online Coaching

Coachers.org gives you coaching that fits your needs. You can pick one-on-one lessons with a tutor. Or you can join group classes to practice with others. Lessons teach you Chinese numbers for real life. The platform has plans for kids and business people. You can set lessons for times that work for you.

Teachers help you and give advice after each lesson. You can use AI tools to get better at saying numbers and tones. You get downloads, webinars, and reports to help you learn. Coachers.org is special because it has flexible plans and many courses. You can change your plan as you get better.

Bar chart comparing on-site and virtual coaching impact on oral and reading proficiency

You can pick private or group lessons. Choose monthly or yearly plans. You can try a free class before you decide. Coachers.org makes learning Chinese numbers simple and easy anywhere. The platform matches your speed and goals to help you grow.

Chinese Numbers One to Ten in Daily Life

Chinese Numbers One to Ten in Daily Life
Image Source: unsplash

Hand Gestures for Numbers

In China, you can use your hand to show numbers. This works even when it is loud. People in China count from 1 to 10 using just one hand. The first five numbers look like how people count in the West. But numbers 6 to 10 have their own special signs. These hand signs help you order food or bargain at markets. You can also use them to show a number fast.

Number

Chinese Gesture Description

Western Gesture Description

1

Index finger up, others closed

Index finger up (or thumb in some countries)

2

Index and middle fingers up

Index and middle fingers up

3

Thumb, index, and middle fingers up

Thumb, index, and middle fingers up

4

Four fingers up, thumb closed

Four fingers up

5

All five fingers up

All five fingers up

6

Thumb and pinky up, others closed ("hang loose" or "telephone")

No single-hand gesture; usually two hands for six

7

Thumb and fingers together, as if holding something

No direct match; Western uses two hands

8

Thumb and index finger form an "L" or "gun" shape

Two hands for eight fingers

9

Index finger curled like a hook

Two hands for nine fingers

10

Closed fist or crossed index fingers (like the character 十)

Two hands for ten fingers or a fist

Tip: You can count to 10 in chinese with one hand. This is useful when you travel or shop in China.

Cultural Insights

Numbers mean special things in Chinese culture. Some numbers are lucky, but others are not. The number 8 sounds like "wealth" and is very lucky. The number 4 sounds like "death" and people try to avoid it. Some buildings skip the number 4 in floors or rooms.

Number

Lucky or Unlucky

Reason

2

Lucky

Means harmony and pairs; good things come in pairs

3

Lucky/Unlucky

Sounds like "birth" (lucky); sometimes "to part ways" (unlucky)

4

Unlucky

Sounds like "death"; often avoided

5

Both

Linked to five elements (lucky); can sound like "not" (unlucky)

6

Lucky

Sounds like "flow"; means smooth progress

7

Both

Means togetherness (lucky); can sound like "cheat" (unlucky)

8

Lucky

Sounds like "prosperity"; most popular lucky number

13

Lucky

Means "assured growth" in Chinese culture

Bar chart showing lucky and unlucky numbers in Chinese culture

You see chinese numbers every day in China. They are on price tags, phone numbers, and clocks. For example, you say "三点" (sān diǎn) for 3 o’clock. You say "买五个苹果" (mǎi wǔ gè píngguǒ) to buy five apples. When you write checks or bank papers, you use special number characters. This helps stop cheating.

Try counting from 1 to 10 when you talk to people. Practice when you shop, tell time, or play games. The more you use these numbers, the easier it gets to remember them and count from 1 to 10.

Learning Chinese numbers 1 to 10 helps you begin Mandarin. You use these numbers when you shop, travel, or tell time. Practice every day to remember them better. This makes you feel more sure of yourself.

  • You learn important words for talking with people.

  • You can learn harder words and grammar later.

  • You get to know Chinese culture and what numbers mean.

Coachers.org helps you with online lessons and good teachers.

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Want to keep learning? Start learning today!

FAQ

How long does it take to learn Chinese numbers 1-10?

You can learn Chinese numbers 1-10 in less than an hour with practice. Use flashcards, repeat out loud, and try writing the characters. Most learners remember them quickly.

Why are tones important when saying Chinese numbers?

Tones change the meaning of words in Mandarin. If you use the wrong tone, people may not understand you. Practice each tone with the numbers to sound clear and correct.

Can I use these numbers in real-life situations?

Yes! You use these numbers when shopping, telling time, or giving your phone number. Try using them when you order food or count items at home.

What makes Coachers.org different for learning Chinese?

Coachers.org gives you flexible online lessons, expert teachers, and personal feedback. You can choose private or group classes. The platform matches your learning speed and goals.

Do I need any experience to start learning with Coachers.org?

No experience needed! You can start as a complete beginner. The lessons guide you step by step. You get support from teachers and helpful practice tools.

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