Chinese Numbers 1 to 100
Chinese numbers are beautifully logical. Once you learn the digits 1 through 10, you can construct almost any number by combining them. But numbers in China carry deep cultural weight too — from the lucky 8 to the dreaded 4, understanding Chinese numerals opens a window into the culture itself.
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Numbers 1 to 10
These ten characters are the building blocks for every number in Chinese. Each one is a single syllable with a specific tone.
The number 二 (èr) is used for counting and math, but when saying "two of something," you usually use 两 (liǎng) instead. For example, 两个人 (liǎng gè rén) means "two people," not 二个人.
Building Larger Numbers
Chinese numbers follow a clean, predictable pattern. Eleven is literally “ten-one,” twenty is “two-ten,” and so on. There are no quirky words like “eleven” or “twelve” in English.
To say 100, you say 一百 (yī bǎi). For 200, you say 二百 (èr bǎi) or 两百 (liǎng bǎi). The pattern continues: 三百 (sān bǎi) is 300, and 九百九十九 (jiǔ bǎi jiǔ shí jiǔ) is 999.
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Hand Gestures for Numbers
In Chinese markets, restaurants, and daily life, hand gestures for numbers are essential. Numbers 1 through 5 use the same finger counting as the West, but 6 through 10 have unique one-hand signs that let you communicate numbers quickly in noisy environments.
- 六 (6) — Extend your thumb and pinky, curl the other three fingers
- 七 (7) — Pinch all fingertips together, pointing upward
- 八 (8) — Extend thumb and index finger in an L-shape
- 九 (9) — Curl your index finger like a hook
- 十 (10) — Make a fist, or cross your index fingers into a + shape
Lucky and Unlucky Numbers
Numbers carry enormous cultural significance in China. Here are the ones that matter most:
- 八 (8) — The Luckiest Number: Sounds like 发 (fā) from 发财 “to prosper.” The Beijing Olympics opened on 08/08/2008 at 8:08 PM. Phone numbers with 8s sell for thousands of dollars.
- 六 (6) — Smooth and Lucky: Represents things going smoothly (六六大顺 liù liù dà shùn).
- 四 (4) — Unlucky: Sounds like 死 (sǐ) meaning “death.” Buildings often skip floors with 4. Gifts in fours are avoided.
- 九 (9) — Longevity: Sounds like 久 (jiǔ) meaning “long-lasting.” Popular in weddings.
When shopping in China and someone holds up a hand gesture you don’t recognize, it is likely a number sign. Learning the gestures for 6–10 can save you from awkward haggling misunderstandings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the number 8 considered lucky in Chinese culture?
The number 八 (bā) sounds similar to 发 (fā) from 发财 (fācái), meaning "to prosper" or "to get rich." This phonetic association makes 8 the luckiest number in Chinese culture. Phone numbers, license plates, and addresses with multiple 8s command premium prices.
Why is the number 4 considered unlucky?
四 (sì) sounds almost identical to 死 (sǐ), meaning "death." Many Chinese buildings skip the 4th floor entirely, similar to how some Western buildings skip the 13th floor. Gifts in sets of 4 are avoided.
How do Chinese hand gestures for numbers work?
Numbers 1–5 use the same fingers as Western counting. Numbers 6–10 each have a unique one-hand gesture: 6 is the pinky and thumb extended, 7 is fingertips pinched together, 8 is thumb and index finger in an L-shape, 9 is a curled index finger, and 10 is a closed fist or crossed index fingers.
How do you say large numbers like 10,000 in Chinese?
Chinese groups large numbers by 10,000 (万 wàn) rather than by 1,000 as in English. So 10,000 is 一万 (yī wàn), 100,000 is 十万 (shí wàn), and 1,000,000 is 一百万 (yī bǎi wàn). This different grouping takes some getting used to.