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

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Mandarin Chinese → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Numbers and Counters

Welcome to the lesson on Numbers and Counters in Mandarin Chinese! Numbers are one of the most fundamental aspects of any language, acting as the building blocks for communication. Whether you're shopping, telling time, or simply counting your friends, knowing your numbers is essential. In Mandarin, numbers are often accompanied by specific counters, which can be quite different from English.

In this lesson, we will explore the following key areas:

The Importance of Numbers and Counters

Understanding numbers and counters is crucial for effective communication in Mandarin. Unlike English, where we can use a number alone in many contexts, Mandarin often requires a counter to provide clarity. For example, when saying "three books," the word for "books" acts as a counter that specifies what you are counting. This lesson will help you master the basics of numbers and counters, setting a solid foundation for your Mandarin language journey.

Structure of the Lesson

1. Introduction to Numbers: Learn the basic numbers from 0 to 10.

2. Counting Beyond 10: Understand how to form larger numbers.

3. Introduction to Counters: Discover what counters are and why they're used.

4. Common Counters: Familiarize yourself with some of the most frequently used counters.

5. Examples in Context: See how numbers and counters work together in sentences.

6. Practice Exercises: Apply what you've learned with practical exercises.

Introduction to Numbers

Basic Numbers (0-10)

Let's start by learning the numbers from 0 to 10 in Mandarin. Below is a table that summarizes these numbers.

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English
零	líng	zero
一	yī	one
二	èr	two
三	sān	three
四	sì	four
五	wǔ	five
六	liù	six
七	qī	seven
八	bā	eight
九	jiǔ	nine
十	shí	ten

Counting Beyond 10

Once you've mastered the numbers from 0 to 10, counting beyond that is relatively straightforward. In Mandarin, numbers are typically combined in a logical manner. Here’s how to form numbers from 11 to 99:

• 11 to 19: 十 (shí) + [1-9] (e.g., 11 is 十一, shí yī)

• 20 to 29: 二十 (èr shí) + [0-9] (e.g., 21 is 二十一, èr shí yī)

• 30 to 90: [1-9] + 十 (e.g., 30 is 三十, sān shí; 40 is 四十, sì shí)

Here are some examples:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English
十一	shí yī	eleven
十二	shí èr	twelve
二十	èr shí	twenty
三十	sān shí	thirty
四十	sì shí	forty
九十九	jiǔ shí jiǔ	ninety-nine

Introduction to Counters

What Are Counters?

In Mandarin, counters (or measure words) serve a specific purpose. They are used to quantify nouns and are crucial for clarity. Unlike English, where we can just say "two apples," in Mandarin, you would say "两 (liǎng) 个 (gè) 苹果 (píngguǒ)"—literally translating to "two (counter) apples."

Why Use Counters?

Counters help specify the type of object being counted. They provide context and help avoid ambiguity. For example, if you want to say "three books" and "three people," you would use different counters.

Common Counters

Here are some of the most common counters you'll encounter in Mandarin:

Counter	Usage	Example
个 (gè)	General counter for people and objects	三个 (sān gè) 苹果 (three apples)
本 (běn)	Used for books	一本 (yī běn) 书 (one book)
张 (zhāng)	Used for flat objects like paper	两张 (liǎng zhāng) 票 (two tickets)
辆 (liàng)	Used for vehicles	三辆 (sān liàng) 车 (three cars)
只 (zhī)	Used for animals	四只 (sì zhī) 猫 (four cats)
杯 (bēi)	Used for cups or glasses	五杯 (wǔ bēi) 水 (five glasses of water)

Examples in Context

Let’s see how numbers and counters can be used in sentences:

• 我有三本书。(Wǒ yǒu sān běn shū.) - "I have three books."

• 她买了五杯水。(Tā mǎile wǔ bēi shuǐ.) - "She bought five glasses of water."

• 他们有两辆车。(Tāmen yǒu liǎng liàng chē.) - "They have two cars."

Practice Exercises

Now that we've covered the basics, let's put your knowledge to the test! Below are exercises designed to help you practice what you've learned.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct number and counter.

1. 我有 ___ (three) ___ (books).

2. 他想要 ___ (two) ___ (tickets).

3. 她喝了 ___ (four) ___ (glasses of water).

Exercise 2: Match the Numbers with Counters

Match the numbers with the correct counters.

1. 十 (shí) a. ___ (gè)

2. 三 (sān) b. ___ (běn)

3. 两 (liǎng) c. ___ (zhī)

Exercise 3: Translate the Sentences

Translate the following sentences into Mandarin.

1. I have two cats.

2. They bought five books.

3. He wants three cars.

Exercise 4: Choose the Correct Answer

Choose the correct counter for the following sentence.

1. 我有三 ___ 苹果。

a. 个

b. 本

c. 张

Exercise 5: Create Your Own Sentences

Using the numbers and counters learned, write three sentences about your own belongings.

Solutions and Explanations

Here are the solutions to the exercises:

Exercise 1 Solutions

1. 我有 三 (sān) 本 (běn) 书。

2. 他想要 两 (liǎng) 张 (zhāng) 票。

3. 她喝了 四 (sì) 杯 (bēi) 水。

Exercise 2 Solutions

1 - a (十个)

2 - b (三本)

3 - c (两只)

Exercise 3 Solutions

1. 我有两只猫。(Wǒ yǒu liǎng zhī māo.)

2. 他们买了五本书。(Tāmen mǎile wǔ běn shū.)

3. 他想要三辆车。(Tā xiǎng yào sān liàng chē.)

Exercise 4 Solution

1. 我有三 个 苹果。 (Answer: a)

Exercise 5 Solutions

(Students should create their own sentences based on their belongings.)

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing this lesson on Numbers and Counters! Mastering these concepts will greatly enhance your ability to communicate in Mandarin. Remember that practice is key, so keep using these numbers and counters in your daily conversations. Keep up the great work, and happy learning!

Table of Contents - Mandarin Chinese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Pinyin and Tones

• Pinyin Introduction
• Tones Introduction
• Tone Pairs

  ---

Greetings and Basic Expressions

• Greeting People
• Basic Expressions
• Numbers and Counters

  ---

Sentence Structure and Word Order

• Subject-Verb-Object Structure
• Question Words and Question Structure
• Adjectives and Adverbs
• Negation and Conjunctions
• Particles and Structure Particles

  ---

Daily Life and Survival Expressions

• Asking for Directions
• Ordering Food and Drinks
• Shopping and Bargaining
• Transport and Travel
• Emergencies and Medical Care

  ---

Chinese Festivals and Traditions

• Spring Festival and Chunyun
• Mid-Autumn Festival and Mooncakes
• Dragon Boat Festival and Zongzi
• Double Ninth Festival and Chongyang Cake

  ---

Verbs and Verb Usage

• Action Verbs and Stative Verbs
• Modal Verbs and Auxiliary Verbs
• Complex Verb Phrases

  ---

Hobbies, Sports and Activities

• Leisure Activities and Hobbies
• Sports and Exercise
• Outdoor Activities and Nature
• Music and Film

  ---

China's Geography and Landmarks

• China's Four Great Ancient Capitals
• Famous Chinese Mountains and Rivers
• China's Great Wall

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Common and Proper Nouns
• Personal Pronouns and Possessive Pronouns
• Demonstrative Pronouns and Interrogative Pronouns

  ---

Professions and Personality Traits

• Professions and Jobs
• Personality Traits and Characteristics
• Emotions and Feelings

  ---

Chinese Traditional Arts and Crafts

• Chinese Calligraphy and Painting
• Chinese Opera and Drama
• Chinese Knots and Paper-cutting

  ---

Comparative and Superlative

• Comparative Form and Usage
• Superlative Form and Usage

  ---

Cities, Countries and Tourist Destinations

• Chinese and International Cities
• Country Names and Nationalities
• Tourist Attractions and Transportation

  ---

Modern China and Current Events

• China's Economy and Business Landscape
• Chinese Art and Entertainment Scene
• Current Events and Issues in China and Beyond

Other Lessons

• 画(畫) huà paint; painting
• 思 sī think
• 爸 bà dad, daddy
• 预(預) yù prepare; in advance
• 一起 yìqǐ
• 费(費) fèi spend; expense
• Animals
• 心 xīn
• 笑 xiào laugh, laugh at
• 情 qíng sentiment; situation, condition

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