What do Chinese numerals sound like? All about numbers in Chinese

We continue to break the stereotypes about the complexity of the Chinese language with the book "Chineasy every day". Today we will try to learn how to count from 0 to 99. To do this, just remember a few characters and catch the logic. Shall we start?

一 one (yi¹)

The hieroglyph that conveys the meaning of "one" is a simple horizontal line. It consists of one line (in Chinese it is called heng), and it is quite reasonable that the study of Chinese writing begins with it. Its pronunciation may vary depending on the phrase in which it is used.

二 two (er4)

This hieroglyph is as simple as the hieroglyph "one". We just added a second, slightly longer horizontal line under the first horizontal line. The number "two" in Chinese culture is considered auspicious, there is even a saying: "Good things come in pairs."

三 three (san¹)

The hieroglyph with the meaning "three" is formed by adding a third horizontal line to the hieroglyph "two". "Three" often means "many". In Confucianism and Taoism, the character "three" stands for Heaven, Earth, and humanity.

四 four (si4)

The number "four" is considered extremely unlucky, since the hieroglyph sounds almost the same as the hieroglyph meaning "death". This explains the lack of floors in some high-rise buildings that have the number 4. A waiter is more likely to say "a table for three and one more" than "a table for four."

五 five (wu³)

This number is associated with the five elements of Chinese philosophy and the Chinese emperor. That is why there are five arches in the gate on Tiananmen Square.

The Chinese show all the numbers with one hand, which is very convenient.

六 six (liu4)

Initially, this hieroglyph was an image of a hut, but now it only has the meaning "six". This is a lucky number in China, especially for those in business. A very famous saying is "double six". It is used when wishing all the best on your wedding day or birthday, as well as in wishes of good luck in the lottery.

七 seven (qi¹)

Seven denotes unity and is considered an auspicious number, especially for those whose heart is not free. In traditional Chinese religions, 49 (7 x 7) is the number of days the soul of the deceased stays among the living. Therefore, the funeral ceremony lasts 49 days, and all this time the appropriate prayers are read.

八 eight (ba¹)

In Beijing and Cantonese, the character for "eight" is pronounced the same as the words for "prosperity" and "luck", and this has made it the most popular character among Chinese speakers around the world. For example, the 2008 Olympic Games began at 8 pm on August 8, 2008. What a luck!

九 nine (jiu³)

The number "nine" is also considered lucky because it is associated with the emperor (and with dragons) and is pronounced like a word with the meaning "long-term". Traditionally, nine dragons were depicted on the clothes of the emperor. According to Chinese mythology, the dragon has nine children. This hieroglyph also means "harmony".

十 ten (shi²)

In oracle bone inscriptions, the character for ten was often depicted as a vertical line with a dot in the middle. This is how the number "ten" was designated in ancient times - a knot tied in the middle of a rope. "Ten" in Chinese culture means wholeness, completeness.

Let's test your knowledge. How many pandas do you see in the picture? You can only answer in Chinese!

By the way, literally translated from Chinese "panda" means "bear-cat". Sounds logical, doesn't it?

Count from 11 to 99

Learning the numbers 11 to 99 in Chinese is easy if you learn the numbers 0 to 10 and the following three rules.

For numbers from 11 to 19, we use the number (ten) and another number after it.
11 = 10 (十) + 1 (一) = 十一
12 = 10 (十) + 2 (二) = 十二
And so on, so 19 is 十九.

The number 0 in Chinese is represented by the character 零 (ling²), but the Arabic numeral 0 or circle is often used, especially when referring to dates or numbers.

The remaining numbers up to 99 require elementary arithmetic, for example:
22 = 2 (二) x 10 (十) + 2 (二) = 二十二
45 = 4 (四) x 10 (十) + 5 (五) = 四十五
99 = 9 (九) x 10 (十) + 9 (九) = 九十九

As in all countries of the world, they are used to represent various numbers. As well as everywhere else, Chinese numerals are divided into ordinal, which indicate the serial number of something, for example, first, second, and quantitative, indicating the amount or count.

Numbers in China, like all other written characters, are written using hieroglyphs. This is the main difference between Chinese numbers and European ones. Composite numbers are formed by combining hieroglyphs in the right order. Another significant difference between Chinese numerals is that they do not decline for cases, numbers, and genders. This makes them very easy to study, I tell you.

In China, you can count up to trillions, this will allow you to do this with a large number of digits in Chinese. Numerals can be written in two styles: regular and formal. Numbers written in the ordinary style are used in everyday life and have a simplified form. The formal style implies writing numbers in the form of a complex combination of hieroglyphs and is used mainly in official documents, invoices, checks in stores.

Numbers in China look like this:

一	yī	1
二	Er	2
三	san	3
四	sì	4
五	wǔ	5
六	liu	6
七	qī	7
八	bā	8
九	jǐu	9
零	Ling	0

In order to write down the numbers from 11 to 19, you must first write the character 十 (shí), which means "ten", then the numbers from one to nine are added. Similarly, you can write numbers from 20 to 99, the only difference is that the hieroglyph "ten" must be written not before the number, but after. If the number has a capacity in units, then it is indicated by the third hieroglyph on the right. Thus, to write down the numbers 20, 30, 40, 50, etc. two hieroglyphs are required, and for numbers like 25, 38, 99 - three.

If we talk about ordinal numbers, then everything is simpler. They are formed only with the prefix di (第), for example Dì yī - the first, Dì wǔ - the fifth, etc.

Interesting fact. In Chinese, all items are considered exclusively in pieces. For example, you can't say "two bananas", the Chinese say "three bananas".

Since ancient times, numbers in China have been used not only to denote numbers, but also as symbols. Odd numbers are masculine Yang, and even numbers are feminine Yin.

Briefly tell you what the Chinese numbers from 0 to 9 mean:

- the number 0 is used as a designation for completeness, emptiness and God. Zero is infinity, it has no beginning or end.

- the number 1 symbolizes leadership qualities, honor and dignity and denotes constant improvement and development.

- the number 2 is the balance between Yin and Yang, that is, between a woman and a man, also denotes cooperation. Often at wedding ceremonies you can see the hieroglyph of this number, because it means “double happiness”.

Number 3. According to the "Book of Changes", which describes all the numbers in China, the number 3 is the union of earth, sky and man. Three of luck, success and achievement of goals.

- the number 4 is the number of the material order, it symbolizes the material world. However, this figure can be compared with our number "13", it is also considered an unfavorable sign and in pronunciation is like the word "death". In Chinese hotels, you will not find a fourth floor and a fourth room;

The number 5 is water, fire, metal, wood and earth (philosophical elements), as well as health, longevity, love of life, prosperity and death (blessings). A very significant figure for the Chinese;

The number 6 is an auspicious number, similar to the word "prosperity";

- the number 7 is considered a female figure that determines her future life;

The number 8 denotes abundance, is used as a talisman and determines the life of a man;

- the number 9 contains the characteristics of all of the above numbers, therefore it is considered the number of the emperor.

These are such mysterious and interesting numbers in China, not just squiggles indicating quantity, but symbols of wisdom.

The Chinese language, on the one hand, is logical. On the other hand, it is absolutely unlike Russian. The same can be said about numbers in Chinese.

From one to ten, everything is simple:

From ten to nineteen, everything is also logical: eleven is ten and one 十一, twelve is ten and two 十二.

Twenty, thirty is two times ten 二十, three times ten 三十. If we have numbers like “21”, “68” or “99”, where there are both tens and ones, we first talk about the number of tens, and then add ones:

Hundred is the new character 百 bǎi. Here we also say “how many + hundreds, how many + tens, units”. Attention: if there is a “zero” in the middle of the number (for example, 109, 207), then we will indicate it (零). What for? Yes, just 三百四 is not 304, but 340 in the colloquial version.

A thousand (千 qiān) follows the same rules: 1528 = 一千五百二十八.

Please note that if there are two zeros in a row, only one is called: 4007 = 四千零七.

Even at school, we are taught to put dots after every three zeros in long numbers. For example, 1.000 is one thousand, 3.567.892 is three million five hundred sixty-seven thousand eight hundred ninety-two. It is thanks to this division that the words "million" and "billion" appeared.

But the Chinese put dots after every four zeros. If there are four zeros after the number, this is 万 wàn (1.0000), if eight, then 亿 yì (1.0000.0000).

For example, a million is one hundred wani (一百万). And the population of China is 十三亿 (thirteen I = 13.0000.0000). We break it down in European style by three digits from the end and get 1.300.000.000 - one billion three hundred million.

Like any part of Chinese speech, numerals require thorough study and practice. If you go to this country, in any case, compiling numbers will come in handy, because you have to go to shops, cash desks.

There is logic and consistency in writing Chinese hieroglyphs and it is very important to remember it. Note that some clean can be pronounced almost the same.

To know the Chinese numbers from 1 to 10, you only need to remember the spelling of the characters and their pronunciation. They are not difficult to write, especially the first three digits, which are depicted as ordinary horizontal lines. It will be a little more difficult to remember starting from 4. Starting from 11, you need to remember the logical rules for compiling for each ten.

Chinese numerals in hieroglyphs

Like letters, in Chinese writing, numbers are denoted by hieroglyphs. For residents of European and American countries, this is an unusual symbol system. In addition to remembering how they are spelled and pronounced correctly, take into account that in Chinese they cannot be declined by cases, numbers, genders.

It is also necessary to remember that in China there are two types of numerals. The usual form (form) is used in everyday life of the Chinese. Formal notation is used in official institutions: for example, in stores (checks). Numbers in formal notation are a more complicated version of symbols.

Chinese counting from 1 to 10 with notation and pronunciation

It is not difficult to learn Chinese numbers from 1 to 10, the main thing is to remember the spelling of the hieroglyph itself and how it is pronounced correctly:

零-0-ling

一 - 1 - yī is the simplest character in Chinese in the form of an ordinary horizontal line. Equally easy to write are 2 and 3.

二-2-èr

三-3-san

四-4-sì

五 - 5 - wǔ - is associated with the 5 elements of Chinese philosophy.

六-6-liù

七-7-qī

八 - 8 - bā

九-9-jiǔ

十-10-shi

Chinese numbers from 11 to 100

The formation of numbers up to 99 has its own characteristics. It's not hard to remember the rules.

The numbers from 11 to 19 are formed as follows: the symbol 十 (10) is placed before the number that denotes units, i.e. if we want to say 12 in Chinese, we get ten two.

Formation examples:

• 11-十一
• 12-十二
• 13-十三
• 14 – 十四
• 15-十五
• 16 – 十六
• 17-十七
• 18 – 十八
• 19-十九

How to write tens

To do this, put the Chinese character for "ten", and in front of it is another character that indicates the number of tens. After the sign "10" a unit is placed.

Formation example:

20 – 二十 [èr shí, 2 + 10]

30-三十

70-七十

44 – 四十四

73-七十三

39-三十九

If you need to say “100”, then the hieroglyph 一百 (yībǎi) is put, which means “first hundred” in translation.

Counting words: what is it and what are they used for

For Russians who study Chinese, the concept of "counting words" may seem unusual. But if you pay attention, they are also in the Russian language and often stand between the number itself and the subject that calculates. These can be the words “sheets” - 3 sheets of paper, “pair” - 2 pairs of boots, “pieces”.

There are many more counter words in Chinese - a separate word for each group of nouns. With the simultaneous use of a number and a counting word, phrases are formed according to the following conditional formula: number + counting word + noun.

Which counting word to choose can be influenced by the signs of several objects - their size, shape, condition.

If not a single counter word (hieroglyph) fits the noun, then universal counter words can be used, which can indicate the generalization of the word or its neutrality.

Those who have just started learning Chinese should remember that a counting number is mandatory if there is a number and a noun next to it. If hieroglyphs, for example, are translated as “two friends”, then with a count word, literally the translation will be the following “two pieces of a friend”.

Favorite and least favorite numbers of the Chinese

Today, the Chinese, like hundreds of years ago, continue to honor traditions. If there are plans to visit the country, then before starting a conversation with a Chinese in which numbers are mentioned, it is better to take care of their correct pronunciation and meaning.

What numbers do the Chinese like:

• The unit denotes primacy, leadership in business.
• If we literally translate the pronunciation into Russian, then it will mean "no problem, smoothly." It is associated with luck and good fortune, auspicious events. Especially brings good luck to those who are engaged in business or have just begun to develop it. On the biggest public or private holidays, it is customary to wish for a "double 6".
• In Chinese is associated with wealth. Sometimes they give something or bring it in just such an amount to wish a person a lot of money and good luck in this way. Adherents of Buddhism consider the eight to be something sacred. Not for nothing, after all, even in 2008, the Olympic Games began on 8.08 at 8 pm.
• Denotes "long, long-term". Most often used with the concept of "eternal love", "harmony". Even under the emperors, 9 dragons were painted on his clothes, each of them had 9 children (according to ancient myths).

They also have a positive attitude towards 10. The modern image and what it used to be are slightly different. Today, this hieroglyph is associated with integrity, the completion of some business.

Numbers that the Chinese bypass:

• In the truest sense of the word, the Chinese are afraid of this figure. For them, it is comparable to death and is able to terrify the locals. They try to have a minimum number of "4" in their lives and do not choose apartment numbers, phone numbers with it. Even if you order a table for 4 in a cafe, then you can hear from the waiter that the order is for 3 + 1 people, but the number 4 is not pronounced. But there are people who do not adhere to these superstitions - it is much easier for them morally. In addition, they have the opportunity to purchase items related to the number "4" with a huge discount.
• Associated with scandals and bad luck. Although there is ambiguity in these data - according to Chinese beliefs, the world is divided into two parts - Yin and Yang.

Learning Chinese numerals is not the easiest task, but there is consistency and logic in this knowledge. If you understand it, then no difficulties will be terrible.

 Listen to the audio lesson with additional explanations

In the previous lessons, we have already learned some numbers with you. In this lesson we will learn how to count from 1 to 99.

Numbers from 1 to 10

1	yī	一
2	Er	二
3	san	三
4	sì	四
5	wǔ	五
6	liu	六
7	qī	七
8	bā	八
9	jiǔ	九
10	shi	十

The remaining numerals are formed using these ten digits according to the following scheme:

11	= 10 + 1 十 shí 一 yī
20	= 2 + 10 二èr 十 shí
29	= 2 + 10 + 9
32	= 3 + 10 + 2
48	= 4 + 10 + 8
97	= 9 + 10 + 7
55	= 5 + 10 + 5 五 wǔ 十 shí 五 wǔ
64	= 6 + 10 + 4 liù 十 shí 四 sì

It is interesting to know that the Chinese have 2 special numbers. 8 is considered a lucky number, because it is consonant with the word "get rich." And the most unloved number is 4, because it is consonant with the word "die", so some buildings do not even have a 4th floor.

We learned numbers in order to learn how to count people and objects. Counting words in Chinese are used between the numeral and the subject. At first glance, this is something new for us, but, in fact, the Russian language also has analogues of counter words. For example: thing- this is a universal counting word; 3 heads cabbage, 2 couples gloves, 5 sheets paper.

There are many more counting words in Chinese, each group of nouns has its own counting word - for long objects, their own, for flat objects, their own, for clothes, etc.

Counting words are used in a sentence in the following way:

numeral + counter word + noun

For example:

三 sān 本 běn 书 shū (three books), where 本 běn is a counter word for a book, documents, i.e. something that has a binding.

五 wǔ 张 zhāng 照 zhào 片 pian (five photos), where 张 zhāng is a counter for flat objects, sheets, etc.

七 qī 台 tái 电 diàn 脑 nǎo (seven computers), where 台 tái is a counter word for devices, mechanisms, etc.

The choice of a counter word depends on which group of nouns the word belongs to, or on the specific features of the subject (for example, volume, form, state, etc.).

Also in Chinese there is a universal counter word that can replace other counter words, and is also used with many nouns. The counter word 个 ge is a universal counter word, indicates a neutral class of objects, has a generalized meaning. We almost always use 个 ge with people, for example:

四 sì 个 ge 老 lǎo 师 shī (4 teachers)

六 liù 个 ge 设 shè 计 jì 师 shī (6 designers)

八 bā 个 ge 哥 gē 哥 ge (8 older brothers)

十 shí 个 ge 经 jīng 理 lǐ (10 directors)

When counting in Chinese, the number 2 is an interesting exception. There are 2 words that have the meaning of 2: 二 èr and 两 liǎng. The number 2 is denoted as 二 èr when it comes to ordinal numbers or mathematical calculations. And 两 liǎng is used when talking about quantity. For example: "two friends" will not be 二 èr 个 ge 朋 péng 友 you, but 两 liǎng 个 ge 朋 péng 友 you.

In compound numbers up to 100, only 二 èr is used, for example: 二 èr 十 shí 二 èr 个 ge 学 xué 生 sheng (22 students), 十 shí 二 èr 个 ge 梨 lí 子 zi (12 pears).

Counter words are also used to connect a noun and such pronouns as 这 zhè (this) ， 那 nà (that) and interrogative words 哪 nǎ (which one) , 几 jǐ (how many) .

For example:

那 Nà 只 zhī 猫 māo (that cat), where 只 zhī is a counter for animals, birds, paired objects, etc.

这 zhè 瓶 píng 水 shuǐ (this bottle of water), where 瓶 píng is a counter word meaning "bottle".

哪 Nǎ 本 běn 词 cí 典 diǎn (what dictionary?) , where 本 běn is a counter for a book, documents, i.e. something that has a binding.

几 Jǐ 个 ge 苹 píng 果 guǒ (how many apples?), where 个 ge is the universal counter.

There is another word in Chinese "How many"– 多 duō 少 shao.

Let's look at the difference between 多 duō 少 shao and 几 jǐ .

With the help of 几 jǐ, questions are usually asked about a small number (less than 10), between 几 jǐ and a noun there is always a counter word. With the help of 多 duō 少 shao questions about any number are asked, after 多 duō 少 shao you can put a counter word or not, but in the answer the count word is obligatory.

For example:

你 Nǐ 有 yǒu (to have) 几 jǐ (how much) 个 ge 手 shǒu 机 jī (mobile phone)？ – 我 Wǒ 有 yǒu 两 liǎng (two) 个 ge 手 shǒu 机 jī 。 – How many mobile phones do you have? – I have two mobile phones.

她 Tā 有 yǒu (to have) 多 duō 少 shao (how much) 钱 qián (money) ？ – 她 Tā 有 yǒu 五 wǔ 十 shí (50) 元 yuán (yuan) 。 – How much money does she have? – She has 50 yuan.

你 nǐ 们 men 公 gōng 司 sī 有 yǒu 多 duō 少 Shao (how much) 个 g 人 rén？ - 我 wǒ 们 men 公 gōng 司 sīu 三u 三 shí 八 bā (38) 个 g 人 rén。 - - How many people are in your company? – There are 38 people in our company.

It is important to remember that if there is a noun after the number, then there must be a counter word between them. For example, if we say "one friend", then we translate into Chinese "one piece friend"– 一 yī 个 ge 朋 péng 友 you. If you want to be understandable, then you must not forget about counting words.