Chinese Numbers 1–10,000: How to Count in Chinese with Pinyin (2026)
Whether you are ordering food in a Kunming restaurant, bargaining at a market, or reading a Chinese phone number, numbers are one of the first things you need to learn in Chinese. The good news: the Chinese number system is remarkably logical once you understand the building blocks.
This guide covers everything from basic digits to thousands, the tricky 二 (èr) vs 两 (liǎng) distinction, and cultural number meanings that every learner should know.
Tip for beginners: Pay special attention to the tones. 四 (sì, fourth tone — "four") and 十 (shí, second tone — "ten") sound similar to untrained ears but mean very different things. At KCEL's Chinese courses in Kunming, tone practice is built into every lesson from day one.
Basic Chinese Numbers: 1 to 10
These ten characters are the foundation of the entire Chinese number system. Memorize them and you can build any number.| Number | Character | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 零 | líng |
| 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 to 99
This is where the logic shines. Chinese numbers follow a simple pattern: say the tens digit, then 十 (shí), then the ones digit.- 11 = 十一 (shí yī) — literally "ten one"
- 12 = 十二 (shí èr) — "ten two"
- 20 = 二十 (èr shí) — "two ten"
- 21 = 二十一 (èr shí yī) — "two ten one"
- 26 = 二十六 (èr shí liù) — "two ten six"
- 35 = 三十五 (sān shí wǔ) — "three ten five"
- 99 = 九十九 (jiǔ shí jiǔ) — "nine ten nine"
What Does 二十六 (Èr Shí Liù) Mean?
If you searched for "er shi liu meaning," here it is: 二十六 literally means "two-ten-six," which equals 26. This is the standard way Chinese builds two-digit numbers — the tens digit + 十 + the ones digit.Hundreds in Chinese: How to Say 100, 200, 300+
The word for "hundred" in Chinese is 百 (bǎi). Hundreds follow the same logical pattern.- 100 = 一百 (yī bǎi) — "one hundred"
- 200 = 二百 (èr bǎi) or 两百 (liǎng bǎi) — "two hundred"
- 300 = 三百 (sān bǎi) — "three hundred"
- 500 = 五百 (wǔ bǎi) — "five hundred"
How to Say 200 in Chinese
This is one of the most commonly searched Chinese number questions. 200 in Chinese is 二百 (èr bǎi) or 两百 (liǎng bǎi) — both are correct and widely used. In everyday speech in Kunming and most of southern China, you will hear 两百 (liǎng bǎi) more often. See the section below on 二 vs 两 for the full explanation. For compound numbers with hundreds, insert 零 (líng) when there is a gap in the tens place:- 101 = 一百零一 (yī bǎi líng yī)
- 205 = 二百零五 (èr bǎi líng wǔ)
- 250 = 二百五十 (èr bǎi wǔ shí) — or colloquially 二百五 (èr bǎi wǔ), though be careful: 二百五 is also slang for "foolish"!
Thousands and Beyond
- 1,000 = 一千 (yī qiān)
- 2,000 = 两千 (liǎng qiān)
- 10,000 = 一万 (yī wàn) — note: Chinese groups numbers by ten-thousands (万), not thousands
- 100,000 = 十万 (shí wàn) — "ten ten-thousands"
The Difference Between 二 (Èr) and 两 (Liǎng)
This is the question Chinese learners ask most about numbers, and it trips up even intermediate students. Both 二 and 两 mean "two" — but they are not interchangeable.When to Use 二 (Èr)
Use 二 for:- Counting and math: 一、二、三 (1, 2, 3); 二加三等于五 (2 + 3 = 5)
- Ordinal numbers: 第二 (dì èr — "second"); 二月 (èr yuè — "February")
- Decimal and phone numbers: 二点五 (2.5); phone digits
- Floor numbers: 二楼 (èr lóu — "second floor")
- Hundreds place: 二百 (èr bǎi — 200) is acceptable
When to Use 两 (Liǎng)
Use 两 for:- Before measure words: 两个人 (liǎng gè rén — "two people"); 两杯咖啡 (liǎng bēi kāfēi — "two cups of coffee")
- Hundreds and above: 两百 (200), 两千 (2,000), 两万 (20,000) — preferred in speech
- Time expressions: 两点 (liǎng diǎn — "two o'clock"); 两个小时 (liǎng gè xiǎoshí — "two hours")
Quick Rule of Thumb
二 is the digit. 两 is the quantity. When you are counting abstractly (1, 2, 3...) or using a digit in a sequence, use 二. When you are talking about "two of something" in real life, use 两. This distinction does not exist in English, which is why it is one of the hardest Chinese number concepts for new learners. At KCEL, our teachers use real-world practice scenarios — ordering two dishes at a Kunming restaurant, buying two bus tickets — to make the difference intuitive rather than memorized.Chinese Number Gestures (Hand Signals)
In China, people use one-hand gestures to show numbers 1 through 10. This is especially useful when shopping at markets in Kunming where it can be noisy. The gestures for 1-5 are similar to Western finger counting, but 6-10 are unique to Chinese culture:- 6: Thumb and pinky extended (like a phone gesture)
- 7: Thumb, index, and middle finger pinched together
- 8: Thumb and index finger extended in an "L" shape
- 9: Index finger curled like a hook
- 10: Fist, or crossed index fingers forming a cross (十)
Lucky and Unlucky Numbers in Chinese Culture
Numbers carry deep cultural meaning in China. Understanding this helps you navigate daily life and avoid accidental offense.Lucky Numbers
- 8 (八, bā): The luckiest number. Sounds like 发 (fā, "prosperity"). The Beijing Olympics started on 08/08/08 at 8:08 PM. Phone numbers and license plates with 8s cost more.
- 6 (六, liù): Means "smooth" or "flowing." Often seen in wedding dates and business openings.
- 9 (九, jiǔ): Sounds like 久 (jiǔ, "long-lasting"). Popular for weddings and gifts representing longevity.
Unlucky Numbers
- 4 (四, sì): Sounds like 死 (sǐ, "death"). Many buildings in China skip the 4th floor. Avoid giving gifts in sets of four.
Practical Tips for Learning Chinese Numbers
- Start using numbers in daily life immediately. Count stairs, read prices, check bus numbers — all in Chinese.
- Practice the 二/两 distinction in real sentences, not flashcards. Say "I want two cups of coffee" (我要两杯咖啡) out loud.
- Learn number gestures early. You will use them at every market in Kunming.
- Master 万 (wàn) for large numbers. This is the biggest structural difference from English and takes deliberate practice.
- Study in China for full immersion. Numbers become second nature when you use them to buy groceries, take taxis, and read menus every day. Choosing the right program is the first step.
FAQ
How do you say 200 in Chinese?
200 in Chinese is 二百 (èr bǎi) or 两百 (liǎng bǎi). Both are correct. 两百 is more common in everyday conversation.What is the difference between 二 (èr) and 两 (liǎng)?
二 is used for counting, math, ordinal numbers, and digit sequences. 两 is used before measure words and when talking about quantities of things. Think of 二 as the digit and 两 as the quantity word.What does 二十六 (èr shí liù) mean?
It means 26. Chinese builds two-digit numbers logically: 二 (2) + 十 (10) + 六 (6) = 26.Why is 4 considered unlucky in Chinese?
四 (sì, "four") sounds similar to 死 (sǐ, "death") in Chinese. This superstition is strong enough that many buildings skip the 4th floor, similar to how some Western buildings skip the 13th floor.What does 126 mean in Chinese?
126 in Chinese is 一百二十六 (yī bǎi èr shí liù). Breaking it down: 一百 (yī bǎi) = 100, 二十 (èr shí) = 20, 六 (liù) = 6. In Chinese numerology, 126 (一百二十六) has no strong cultural meaning on its own, but individual digits matter: 1 (一) symbolizes unity, 2 (二) symbolizes partnership, and 6 (六) represents smooth flow and luck.What does 198 mean in Chinese?
198 in Chinese is 一百九十八 (yī bǎi jiǔ shí bā). Breaking it down: 一百 (yī bǎi) = 100, 九十 (jiǔ shí) = 90, 八 (bā) = 8. The number 198 is notable in Chinese commerce because it ends in 8 (八, bā), which sounds like 发 (fā, "prosperity"). Prices ending in 8 — like ¥198 or ¥998 — are extremely common in Chinese retail and restaurants for this reason.What does 520 mean in Chinese?
520 in Chinese is 五百二十 (wǔ bǎi èr shí). But the cultural meaning of 520 has nothing to do with the number itself — it comes from how it sounds. In Mandarin, 五二零 (wǔ èr líng) sounds similar to 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ), meaning "I love you." This phonetic coincidence has made 520 one of the most popular romantic numbers in China. May 20 (5/20) is celebrated as an unofficial Chinese Valentine's Day, and gifts priced at ¥520 or ¥52.0 are popular romantic gestures. The number 520 is widely used as a romantic expression in Chinese digital communication.What does 888 mean in Chinese?
888 in Chinese is 八百八十八 (bā bǎi bā shí bā). The number 888 is extraordinarily lucky in Chinese culture because it contains three 8s (八, bā) — and 8 sounds like 发 (fā, "prosperity" or "to get rich"). Triple repetition amplifies the meaning, making 888 one of the luckiest possible number combinations. This is why phone numbers, license plates, and bank account numbers containing 888 sell for significant premiums in China. During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the opening ceremony began at precisely 8:08 PM on 08/08/2008 — deliberately chosen for maximum symbolic power. In Chinese business contexts, prices like ¥888 or ¥8,888 signal both premium quality and an auspicious wish for the buyer's prosperity.What is the best way to learn Chinese numbers?
Use them in daily life as much as possible. Studying Chinese in Kunming with immersive classes gives you hundreds of natural practice opportunities every day — from ordering food to reading bus routes to bargaining at markets.Master Chinese Numbers in Weeks, Not Months
In KCEL's immersive classes in Kunming, you will use Chinese numbers every day — ordering food, bargaining at markets, reading bus routes. Small classes, experienced teachers, visa support included.
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Numbers are just the beginning. These guides will help you plan your Chinese learning journey:
- Complete Guide to Learning Chinese in Kunming — everything you need to know about studying in Kunming
- How to Choose the Right Chinese Program — group vs private lessons, intensity levels, and finding your fit
- Cost of Learning Chinese in Kunming — tuition, housing, and living expenses
- HSK Exam Preparation — study plans for all 6 HSK levels
- JW201 vs JW202 Visa Forms — which student visa form do you need?
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