Learn Chinese Numbers from 0 to 9999

Chinese numbers are confusing to many, but from today you will be able to count from 0 to 9999 in mandarin Chinese. Let's begin by counting from 0 to 10, which are the most fundamental numbers in Chinese. Since each number has only one syllable, they are very easy to remember. Isn’t that exciting?

For the numbers from 11 to 19, you take “shí” which means “ten” and then put the small number after it. So you can say “ten one” for “11”, “ten two” for “12”, “ten three” for “13” and etc.

And for 20, 30… 90, you say the small number first and then put “ten” after it. So you can say “two ten” for “20”, “three ten” for “30”, “nine ten” for “90” and etc. If there is a small number after “20, 30…”, just put it at the end.

Next, let’s lean “hundred”. The word for hundred is “百(bǎi)”. The pattern is: If you want to say 100, 200, 300 …900, take the small number first and plus the “hundred”. So,

For 200, it’s correct to say “èr bǎi”, but Chinese people also say “liǎnɡ bǎi”. In mandarin Chinese, both “èr” and “liǎnɡ” mean the number “2”. But if “2” in on the hundred digit, thousand digit and above, more often Chinese say “liǎnɡ” instead of “èr”. So, how do we say 222?

222
222

Next, “thousand” is “千(qiān)”. The pattern is the same as “百(bǎi)”. So,

How would you say the number 820?

“bā bǎi èr shí” is correct, but we also say “bā bǎi èr”. In mandarin Chinese, if the number is over a hundred and it’s also a multiple time of “ten”, then we usually chop off the “ten” or “hundred” to make it short and simple. So, 820 is often pronounced:

And 5200 is pronounced:

“If 820 is “bā bǎi èr”, then how about 802?” That is a good question! In Chinese, “零(línɡ)” is zero. We put “零” in the middle, in a position where the digit is missed. So, 802 is pronounced:

The best way to memorize Chinese numbers is to count them loud from 0 to 100. Then you can automatically speak it out when you see them. You can also check whether you have mastered Chinese numbers by doing this pop quiz.

Numbers also play a significant role in Chinese culture and knowing these numbers and their meanings in Chinese culture is crucial.