Language/Mandarin-chinese/Vocabulary/Numbers-and-Counters

From Polyglot Club WIKI
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This lesson can still be improved. EDIT IT NOW! & become VIP
Rate this lesson:
5.00
(one vote)

◀️ Basic Expressions — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Subject-Verb-Object Structure ▶️

Chinese-Language-PolyglotClub.jpg
Mandarin ChineseVocabulary0 to A1 Course → Greetings and Basic Expressions → Numbers and Counters


Introduction[edit | edit source]

Welcome to the lesson on Numbers and Counters in Mandarin Chinese! In this lesson, we will learn how to count in Chinese and how to use counters to specify the quantity of objects. Numbers and counters are essential in everyday conversations, whether you are shopping, ordering food, or simply introducing yourself. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently count and use counters in Mandarin Chinese.

Cardinal Numbers[edit | edit source]

Let's start with the most basic aspect of numbers: cardinal numbers. In Mandarin Chinese, cardinal numbers are used to count objects, people, or anything that can be counted. Let's begin with the numbers from one to ten:

Mandarin Chinese Pronunciation English Translation
one
èr two
sān three
four
five
liù six
seven
eight
jiǔ nine
shí ten

Now that we have learned the numbers from one to ten, let's move on to larger numbers. In Mandarin Chinese, larger numbers are formed by combining the digits from one to ten with the word for ten (十). For example, eleven is 十一 (shí yī), twelve is 十二 (shí èr), and so on. Here are some examples:

Mandarin Chinese Pronunciation English Translation
十一 shí yī eleven
十二 shí èr twelve
十三 shí sān thirteen
十四 shí sì fourteen
十五 shí wǔ fifteen
十六 shí liù sixteen
十七 shí qī seventeen
十八 shí bā eighteen
十九 shí jiǔ nineteen
二十 èr shí twenty

To form numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine, we combine the digits from two to nine with the word for ten (十) and the word for one (一). For example, twenty-one is 二十一 (èr shí yī), thirty-two is 三十二 (sān shí èr), and so on.

When counting beyond one hundred, Mandarin Chinese uses a different system. The number one hundred is 一百 (yī bǎi), two hundred is 二百 (èr bǎi), and so on. To form numbers between one hundred and one thousand, we combine the hundreds with the digits from one to ten. For example, three hundred and twenty-one is 三百二十一 (sān bǎi èr shí yī), and five hundred and sixty-nine is 五百六十九 (wǔ bǎi liù shí jiǔ).

Let's practice counting with some examples:

Examples[edit | edit source]

  • 一杯水 (yī bēi shuǐ) - one glass of water
  • 两个苹果 (liǎng gè píngguǒ) - two apples
  • 三本书 (sān běn shū) - three books
  • 四张纸 (sì zhāng zhǐ) - four sheets of paper
  • 五只猫 (wǔ zhī māo) - five cats
  • 六个人 (liù gè rén) - six people
  • 七朵花 (qī duǒ huā) - seven flowers
  • 八辆车 (bā liàng chē) - eight cars
  • 九个星星 (jiǔ gè xīng xing) - nine stars
  • 十个学生 (shí gè xué shēng) - ten students

Counters[edit | edit source]

In Mandarin Chinese, counters are used to specify the quantity of objects. Counters are an essential part of the language and are used in various situations, such as counting people, animals, flat objects, and more. Each counter has its own specific character and pronunciation, which can sometimes vary depending on the context. Let's explore some common counters and how to use them.

Measure Word[edit | edit source]

Before we dive into specific counters, it's important to note that Mandarin Chinese uses a measure word, also known as a classifier, to link the number and the noun. The measure word provides information about the shape, size, or type of the object being counted. For example, instead of saying "three cats," we would say "three [measure word] cats." The measure word for cats is 只 (zhī).

Common Counters[edit | edit source]

Here are some common counters and their associated measure words:

  • 个 (gè) - This is the most versatile measure word and can be used for general objects or people. For example, 一个人 (yī gè rén) means "one person," and 一个苹果 (yī gè píngguǒ) means "one apple."
  • 杯 (bēi) - This measure word is used for cups or glasses of liquid. For example, 一杯咖啡 (yī bēi kāfēi) means "one cup of coffee," and 两杯水 (liǎng bēi shuǐ) means "two glasses of water."
  • 张 (zhāng) - This measure word is used for flat objects, such as paper or tickets. For example, 一张纸 (yī zhāng zhǐ) means "one sheet of paper," and 两张票 (liǎng zhāng piào) means "two tickets."
  • 匹 (pǐ) - This measure word is used for long, thin objects, such as horses or pieces of cloth. For example, 一匹马 (yī pǐ mǎ) means "one horse," and 两匹布 (liǎng pǐ bù) means "two pieces of cloth."
  • 只 (zhī) - This measure word is used for small animals, such as cats or birds. For example, 一只猫 (yī zhī māo) means "one cat," and 两只鸟 (liǎng zhī niǎo) means "two birds."
  • 本 (běn) - This measure word is used for books. For example, 一本书 (yī běn shū) means "one book," and 两本杂志 (liǎng běn zázhì) means "two magazines."
  • 部 (bù) - This measure word is used for movies or vehicles. For example, 一部电影 (yī bù diànyǐng) means "one movie," and 两部车 (liǎng bù chē) means "two cars."

Remember, the choice of measure word depends on the noun being counted and the context of the sentence. Some nouns have specific measure words associated with them, while others can use more general measure words like 个 (gè).

Examples[edit | edit source]

Let's practice using numbers and counters with some examples:

  • 三个人 (sān gè rén) - three people
  • 两杯咖啡 (liǎng bēi kāfēi) - two cups of coffee
  • 四张纸 (sì zhāng zhǐ) - four sheets of paper
  • 五匹马 (wǔ pǐ mǎ) - five horses
  • 六只猫 (liù zhī māo) - six cats
  • 七本书 (qī běn shū) - seven books
  • 八部电影 (bā bù diànyǐng) - eight movies
  • 九个苹果 (jiǔ gè píngguǒ) - nine apples
  • 十杯水 (shí bēi shuǐ) - ten glasses of water

Recap[edit | edit source]

In this lesson, we have covered cardinal numbers and counters in Mandarin Chinese. We learned how to count from one to ten, as well as larger numbers. We also explored different counters and their associated measure words. Remember to pay attention to the measure word used with each noun, as it provides important information about the object being counted. Practice using numbers and counters in various contexts to become more comfortable with counting in Mandarin Chinese.

Continue practicing and building your vocabulary, as we progress to the next lesson in the "Complete 0 to A1 Mandarin Chinese Course." Keep up the great work!

Table of Contents - Mandarin Chinese Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Pinyin and Tones


Greetings and Basic Expressions


Sentence Structure and Word Order


Daily Life and Survival Expressions


Chinese Festivals and Traditions


Verbs and Verb Usage


Hobbies, Sports and Activities


China's Geography and Landmarks


Nouns and Pronouns


Professions and Personality Traits


Chinese Traditional Arts and Crafts


Comparative and Superlative


Cities, Countries and Tourist Destinations


Modern China and Current Events



Other Lessons[edit | edit source]



◀️ Basic Expressions — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Subject-Verb-Object Structure ▶️

Contributors

Maintenance script


Create a new Lesson