Numbers 1–100 (一到一百)
Count in Mandarin. Learn 一 through 十, then the pattern for 11-99 (十一, 二十, 三十五…). Understand 零 (líng) for zero and placeholder zeros in numbers like 205 (二百零五).
A lesson of Mandarin Chinese A1 — Beginner, in Greetings & Basics, about 10 minutes.
By the end of this lesson, you will count from 1 to 100 in Mandarin, form compound numbers, and use numbers in everyday contexts.
1–10: The Foundation
| Number | Character | Pinyin | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 一 | yī | 1st |
| 2 | 二 | èr | 4th |
| 3 | 三 | sān | 1st |
| 4 | 四 | sì | 4th |
| 5 | 五 | wǔ | 3rd |
| 6 | 六 | liù | 4th |
| 7 | 七 | qī | 1st |
| 8 | 八 | bā | 1st |
| 9 | 九 | jiǔ | 3rd |
| 10 | 十 | shí | 2nd |
Cultural note: 8 (八 bā) is considered the luckiest number in Chinese culture — its sound is similar to 发 (fā — prosperity). 4 (四 sì) is associated with bad luck because it sounds like 死 (sǐ — death). Buildings often skip the 4th floor.
11–19: Ten-and-[unit]
The pattern is simple: 十 + unit
| Number | Characters | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 十一 | shí yī |
| 12 | 十二 | shí èr |
| 13 | 十三 | shí sān |
| 14 | 十四 | shí sì |
| 15 | 十五 | shí wǔ |
| 16 | 十六 | shí liù |
| 17 | 十七 | shí qī |
| 18 | 十八 |