How to Read and Write Chinese Numbers for Beginners

If you are starting to learn Mandarin, numbers are the best place to begin. You will use them every day, when you shop, tell the time, share your phone number, or talk about your age. The good news is that Chinese numbers are much easier than most people think. Once you learn the basic ten numbers, you can build almost every other number yourself.

In this guide, you will learn how to read and write Chinese numbers step by step. We will use simple chinese words, clear examples, and pinyin (the system that shows how Chinese words sound).

Chinese Numbers 0 to 10

Start with these eleven characters. Everything else is built from them.

Here is a small trick for writing. The first three numbers are easy to remember because the characters match the number. 一 is one line, 二 is two lines, and 三 is three lines. Many learners also find that 十 looks like a plus sign, which makes it simple to recall.

Pay attention to tones too. In Mandarin, the tone changes the meaning. For example, sì (four) and shí (ten) sound close to each other, so listen carefully and practice saying them out loud.

How to Say Numbers 11 to 99

This part is where Chinese becomes really easy. There is no special word for eleven or twelve like in English. You simply say "ten-one," "ten-two," and so on.

• 11 = 十一 (shí yī), which means ten plus one
• 12 = 十二 (shí èr)
• 20 = 二十 (èr shí), which means two tens
• 21 = 二十一 (èr shí yī)
• 58 = 五十八 (wǔ shí bā)
• 99 = 九十九 (jiǔ shí jiǔ)

The rule is simple. Say the tens first, then say the ones. If you can count to ten, you can count to ninety-nine.

Reading Numbers 100 and Above

For bigger numbers, you only need to learn a few more characters:

• 百 (bǎi) = hundred
• 千 (qiān) = thousand
• 万 (wàn) = ten thousand
• 亿 (yì) = hundred million

Here are some examples:

• 100 = 一百 (yì bǎi)
• 235 = 二百三十五 (èr bǎi sān shí wǔ)
• 1,000 = 一千 (yì qiān)
• 1,480 = 一千四百八十 (yì qiān sì bǎi bā shí)
• 10,000 = 一万 (yí wàn)

Notice how the numbers are read from the largest place to the smallest, just like in English. You say the number, then the place word, and keep going.

The Zero Rule

Zero is a little tricky, but the rule is easy. When there is a zero in the middle of a number, you say 零 (líng) to fill the gap.

• 105 = 一百零五 (yì bǎi líng wǔ)
• 2,006 = 两千零六 (liǎng qiān líng liù)

Even if there are two zeros in a row, as in 2,006, you only say 零 once. Also, you do not say 零 for zeros at the end of a number. So 300 is just 三百.

Two Ways to Say "2": 二 and 两

This is a common question for beginners. Both 二 (èr) and 两 (liǎng) mean two, but you use them in different places.

• Use 二 when counting, reading digits, or saying numbers like 12 and 22.
• Use 两 before a measure word, such as 两个人 (liǎng gè rén), which means "two people."

You will also use 两 before 百, 千, and 万 in everyday speech. For example, 200 is usually 两百 (liǎng bǎi). When in doubt, remember this: if you are counting objects or people, 两 is usually the right choice.

Big Numbers: 万 and 亿

English groups big numbers by thousands. Chinese groups them by ten thousands. This feels strange at first, but it becomes natural with practice.

• 100,000 = 十万 (shí wàn), which means ten ten-thousands
• 1,000,000 = 一百万 (yì bǎi wàn)
• 100,000,000 = 一亿 (yí yì)

A helpful tip is to think of 万 as your main unit. When you see a large number, first count how many 万 it has. This habit will help you read prices, populations, and news headlines faster.

How to Write Chinese Numbers

Writing Chinese numbers is a fun way to practice. Here are a few simple tips:

1. Write from top to bottom and left to right. Characters follow a stroke order. For 一, write one line from left to right. For 十, write the horizontal line first, then the vertical line.
2. Practice with squared paper. It helps you keep each character balanced and neat.
3. Start with the simple characters. Learn 一, 二, 三, and 十 first. Then move to harder ones like 四, 五, 六, and 八.
4. Say the number as you write it. This builds a strong link between the look and the sound.

In daily life, many people in China also use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) for prices, phone numbers, and dates. Chinese characters appear more in books, formal writing, and traditional settings.

Formal Numbers Used on Checks and Contracts

There is also a set of formal characters used for money and official papers. They have more strokes, so it is hard to change them by mistake.

Beginners do not need to learn these right away, but it is nice to know they exist when you see them on a bank form or receipt.

Numbers in Everyday Life

Here are a few real-life rules that will make you sound more natural:

• Phone numbers are read digit by digit. The number 1 is often said as yāo (幺) instead of yī, so it does not sound like seven (qī).
• Years are read digit by digit too. The year 2026 is 二零二六年 (èr líng èr liù nián).
• Dates are simple. Say the number, then 月 for month and 日 or 号 for day. For example, 3月15日 is 三月十五号.
• Money uses 块 (kuài) in speech and 元 (yuán) in writing. So 25 yuan is 二十五块.

Lucky and Unlucky Numbers

Numbers also carry meaning in Chinese culture. The number 8 (八, bā) sounds like the word for "get rich," so people love it. Phone numbers and license plates with many eights can be very expensive. The number 4 (四, sì) sounds like the word for "death," so some people avoid it, such as in floor numbers.

Easy Tips to Practice

Learning numbers works best when you practice a little every day.

• Count objects around you in Mandarin, like steps, cups, or apps on your phone.
• Read price tags and say them in Chinese.
• Use flashcards or an app to test yourself.
• Say your phone number and birthday in Chinese.
• Listen to short Mandarin videos and try to catch the numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Chinese numbers hard to learn? Not at all. Once you know 0 to 10, you can make most numbers using simple patterns.

How many characters do I need to learn? About fifteen characters will take you to millions: the eleven basic ones plus 百, 千, 万, and 亿.

Do I need to write Chinese characters, or can I use pinyin? Pinyin is great for starting out, but learning the characters will help you read signs, menus, and prices.

Final Thoughts

Write Chinese numbers follow clear and logical rules. Learn the numbers 0 to 10, remember the place words 百, 千, 万, and 亿, and practice the zero rule. With a few minutes of daily practice, you will soon be counting, shopping, and chatting in Mandarin with confidence. Start with one small step today, and keep going. You will be surprised how fast you improve.