Table of Contents
Learning how to count from 1 to 10 in Chinese is essential for daily conversations, shopping, telling time, and more. The Chinese number system is logical, simple, and easy to remember, making it one of the first things beginners should learn.
In this guide, we’ll cover 1-10 in Chinese, their pronunciation, hand gestures, and cultural significance.
Numbers 1-10 in Chinese: Characters, Pinyin, and Pronunciation
Here’s a quick guide to the numbers 1 to 10 in Mandarin Chinese:
| Number | Chinese Character | Pinyin | Pronunciation |
| 1 | 一 | yī | ee (1st tone) |
| 2 | 二 | èr | ar (4th tone) |
| 3 | 三 | sān | san (1st tone) |
| 4 | 四 | sì | ssuh (4th tone) |
| 5 | 五 | wǔ | woo (3rd tone) |
| 6 | 六 | liù | leo (4th tone) |
| 7 | 七 | qī | chee (1st tone) |
| 8 | 八 | bā | bah (1st tone) |
| 9 | 九 | jiǔ | joe (3rd tone) |
| 10 | 十 | shí | sher (2nd tone) |
📌 Pronunciation Tip:
- 一 (yī) changes tones in some contexts:
- Before 4th-tone words, it changes to yí (2nd tone) → 一个 (yí gè, one of something).
- Before 4th-tone numbers, it changes to yì (4th tone) → 一万 (yì wàn, ten thousand).
Writing Chinese Numbers: Stroke Order
Each number has a specific stroke order that helps with proper writing.
- 一 (yī) – One horizontal stroke.
- 二 (èr) – Two horizontal strokes.
- 三 (sān) – Three horizontal strokes.
- 四 (sì) – Complex structure with multiple strokes.
- 五 (wǔ) – Five strokes.
- 六 (liù) – Six strokes.
- 七 (qī) – Two strokes.
- 八 (bā) – Two strokes (resembles an open shape).
- 九 (jiǔ) – Two strokes.
- 十 (shí) – Two strokes (cross shape).
✅ Tip: Practicing stroke order improves handwriting and kanji recognition.
Chinese Hand Gestures for 1-10
In Chinese culture, people often use hand signs to show numbers (especially when bargaining at markets). Here’s how to gesture 1-10 with one hand:
| Number | Gesture Description |
| 1 | Raise index finger ☝️ |
| 2 | Raise index + middle finger ✌️ (like a “peace” sign) |
| 3 | Raise index, middle, and ring finger |
| 4 | Raise index, middle, ring, and pinky finger |
| 5 | Show an open palm 🖐️ |
| 6 | Extend thumb and pinky (like the “call me” 🤙 gesture) |
| 7 | Touch thumb, index, and middle finger together |
| 8 | Extend thumb and index finger (like a finger gun 🔫) |
| 9 | Curl index finger (like a hook) |
| 10 | Make an “X” sign with index fingers or a closed fist ✊ |
📌 Why use hand gestures?
- They are helpful in noisy places (markets, restaurants).
- They reduce miscommunication when bargaining.
Cultural Significance of Chinese Numbers
Lucky Numbers 🍀
✅ 8 (八, bā) – Wealth & Prosperity
- Sounds like “发 (fā)”, meaning “to prosper”.
- Many businesses and phone numbers include 8 for good luck!
✅ 6 (六, liù) – Smooth Success
- Sounds like “流 (liú)”, meaning “flow”.
- 666 is a positive phrase in China, meaning “everything goes smoothly.”
✅ 9 (九, jiǔ) – Longevity
- Sounds like “久 (jiǔ)”, meaning “long-lasting”.
- Commonly used in weddings and traditional celebrations.
Unlucky Numbers ❌
⚠️ 4 (四, sì) – Death
- Sounds like “死 (sǐ)”, meaning “death”.
- Many buildings skip the 4th floor (like how Western buildings avoid the 13th floor).
📌 Superstition Tip:
- Many people avoid phone numbers or license plates with 4.
- Hotels and hospitals often skip room number 4!
How to Count Beyond 10 in Chinese
Once you know 1-10, counting beyond is simple! Chinese numbers follow a logical pattern.
| Number | Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
| 11 | 十一 | shí yī | 10 + 1 = 11 |
| 12 | 十二 | shí èr | 10 + 2 = 12 |
| 20 | 二十 | èr shí | 2 × 10 = 20 |
| 50 | 五十 | wǔ shí | 5 × 10 = 50 |
| 100 | 一百 | yī bǎi | 100 |
📌 Pattern:
- 11-19: 十 (shí) + number (e.g., 十五 = 15)
- 20-90: Number + 十 (e.g., 二十 = 20, 四十 = 40)
- 100+: 百 (bǎi) for hundreds, 千 (qiān) for thousands
How to Use Chinese Numbers in Daily Life
Here are some useful phrases with Chinese numbers:
🔹 我要三杯茶。
(Wǒ yào sān bēi chá.)
I want three cups of tea.
🔹 今天是八月二十号。
(Jīntiān shì bā yuè èrshí hào.)
Today is August 20th.
🔹 请给我五个苹果。
(Qǐng gěi wǒ wǔ gè píngguǒ.)
Please give me five apples.
📌 Grammar Tip:
- 个 (gè) is a common measure word used after numbers when counting objects or people.
Master Chinese Numbers with Migaku
Want to learn numbers and more naturally? With Migaku, you can:
✅ Listen to real spoken Chinese from movies, YouTube, and dramas.
✅ Instantly look up words and hear native pronunciation.
✅ Create smart flashcards to remember numbers effortlessly.
✅ Track your progress and improve fluency with Spaced Repetition.
Whether you’re learning Chinese for travel, shopping, or business, Migaku makes studying fun and effective!
Ready to improve your Chinese?
Start learning with Migaku today! 🚀