Chinese Numbers & Telling Time: Essential Basics (数字 & 时间)
Whether you're traveling in China, ordering food, or making appointments, understanding numbers (数字 shùzì) and how to tell time (时间 shíjiān) are fundamental skills in Mandarin Chinese. The systems are logical but have unique features compared to English.
This guide provides the essentials for counting and telling time in Mandarin, key building blocks covered in our Chinese course curriculum.
Chinese Numbers (数字 - Shùzì)
Chinese numbers are remarkably systematic. Once you learn 0-10, building larger numbers becomes much easier.
Important Note on Tones: Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language. While tones are often omitted in Pinyin here for simplicity, correct pronunciation requires learning the specific tone for each syllable. Getting tones right is crucial for being understood, a key focus in our Chinese speaking practice.
Cardinal Numbers (0-10):
- 零 líng (0)
- 一 yī (1)
- 二 èr (2)
- 三 sān (3)
- 四 sì (4)
- 五 wǔ (5)
- 六 liù (6)
- 七 qī (7)
- 八 bā (8)
- 九 jiǔ (9)
- 十 shí (10)
Note on 2: While 二 èr is used for counting and in larger numbers (like 20, 200), when used before measure words or sometimes for 'two' items, 两 liǎng is often used (e.g., liǎng ge rén - two people; liǎng diǎn - 2 o'clock).
Numbers 11-99:
These follow a logical pattern:
- 11-19: Ten (十 shí) + Digit (e.g., 11 = 十一 shíyī, 15 = 十五 shíwǔ, 19 = 十九 shíjiǔ)
- Tens (20, 30...90): Digit + Ten (十 shí) (e.g., 20 = 二十 èrshí, 30 = 三十 sānshí, 90 = 九十 jiǔshí)
- Combined (21-99): Ten Digit + Unit Digit (e.g., 21 = 二十一 èrshíyī, 58 = 五十八 wǔshíbā, 99 = 九十九 jiǔshíjiǔ)
Notice there is no "and" like in Dutch or German.
Larger Numbers:
- 百 bǎi = Hundred
- 千 qiān = Thousand
- 万 wàn = Ten Thousand (This is a very important unit in Chinese!)
- 亿 yì = Hundred Million
Examples:
- 100 = 一百 yìbǎi (Note: often just bǎi when context is clear, but yìbǎi is safer for learners)
- 101 = 一百零一 yìbǎi líng yī (Note the use of 零 líng for the zero)
- 150 = 一百五(十) yìbǎi wǔ(shí) (The final 十 can sometimes be omitted in speech, written usually included)
- 200 = 二百 èrbǎi or 两百 liǎngbǎi
- 1,000 = 一千 yìqiān
- 2,500 = 两千五(百) liǎngqiān wǔ(bǎi) or 二千五百 èrqiān wǔbǎi
- 10,000 = 一万 yíwàn (One 'wan')
- 15,000 = 一万五千 yíwàn wǔqiān (One 'wan' five thousand)
- 100,000 = 十万 shíwàn (Ten 'wan')
Handling large numbers and the specific rules for using 零 líng requires careful study and practice. This is best learned through structured lessons, like those provided in our online Chinese courses.
Ordinal Numbers (序数 - Xùshù):
To make a number ordinal (first, second, third), simply add 第 dì before the cardinal number.
- 第一 dì-yī (First)
- 第二 dì-èr (Second)
- 第三 dì-sān (Third)
- 第十 dì-shí (Tenth)
- 第二十五 dì-èrshíwǔ (Twenty-fifth)
Measure Words: Remember that when counting specific objects in Chinese, you usually need a measure word (量词 liàngcí) between the number and the noun (e.g., 三本书 sān běn shū - three books). This is a vital grammar point for another discussion!
Telling Time in Chinese (时间 - Shíjiān)
Asking for the time in Mandarin:
- 现在几点? Xiànzài jǐ diǎn? (What time is it now?)
- 请问现在几点了? Qǐngwèn xiànzài jǐ diǎn le? (Excuse me, what time is it now? - more polite)
Key Vocabulary:
- 点 diǎn = o'clock, hour marker
- 分 fēn = minute
- 秒 miǎo = second
- 半 bàn = half (used for half past the hour)
- 刻 kè = quarter of an hour (15 minutes)
- 差 chà = short of, lacking (used for minutes *before* the hour)
- 早上 zǎoshang = early morning (approx. 6-9 AM)
- 上午 shàngwǔ = morning (approx. 9 AM - 12 PM)
- 中午 zhōngwǔ = noon (approx. 12-1 PM)
- 下午 xiàwǔ = afternoon (approx. 1-6 PM)
- 晚上 wǎnshang = evening/night (approx. 6 PM onwards)
Basic Time Format:
The most common structure is: Hour + 点 (diǎn) + Minute + 分 (fēn). You often add the time period (morning, afternoon, etc.) at the beginning for clarity.
- 3:00 = 三点 sān diǎn
- 7:00 AM = 早上七点 zǎoshang qī diǎn
- 2:00 PM = 下午两点 xiàwǔ liǎng diǎn (Note: 两 liǎng used for 2 o'clock)
- 8:05 = 八点零五分 bā diǎn líng wǔ fēn (Use 零 líng if minutes < 10)
- 10:25 = 十点二十五分 shí diǎn èrshíwǔ fēn
Using 半 (bàn - half) and 刻 (kè - quarter):
- Half Past: Hour + 点半 (diǎn bàn)
- 4:30 = 四点半 sì diǎn bàn
- 9:30 PM = 晚上九点半 wǎnshang jiǔ diǎn bàn
- Quarter Past: Hour + 点一刻 (diǎn yī kè) OR Hour + 点十五分 (diǎn shíwǔ fēn)
- 6:15 = 六点一刻 liù diǎn yī kè / 六点十五分 liù diǎn shíwǔ fēn
- Quarter To: 差一刻 + *Next* Hour + 点 (chà yī kè + [Next Hour] + diǎn)
- 8:45 = 差一刻九点 chà yī kè jiǔ diǎn (Quarter to nine)
- Also common: 八点四十五分 bā diǎn sìshíwǔ fēn
Using 差 (chà - short of/to):
Used for minutes before the hour.
- Structure: 差 + Minutes + 分 + Hour + 点 (chà + [Minutes] + fēn + [Hour] + diǎn)
- 9:50 = 差十分十点 chà shí fēn shí diǎn (10 minutes to 10)
- 1:55 = 差五分两点 chà wǔ fēn liǎng diǎn (5 minutes to 2)
While the direct "Hour + 点 + Minute + 分" format is always understood, using 半, 刻, and 差 sounds more natural in conversation. Practice is essential, and online Chinese learning provides great opportunities.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Chinese numbers are logical, with the base 0-10 being key. The structure for larger numbers, especially using 万 wàn, requires attention. Telling time involves learning core vocabulary like 点, 分, 半, and understanding common structures.
Focus on pronunciation and tones from the start. Use flashcards, practice counting objects (remembering measure words!), and try stating the time frequently. Find out why Sprachlingua's method helps learners master these practical skills.
Ready to count and tell time confidently in Mandarin Chinese?
Explore Our Online Chinese CoursesKeep practicing – 加油 (jiāyóu - Go for it / Add oil)!