Learn Chinese Numbers 1–10 and Count Everyday Objects
Master Mandarin numbers one through ten and use them to count fingers, books, and other items. Includes pinyin, tone marks, and measure word basics.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
Counting is one of the first practical skills in any language. In Mandarin Chinese, the numbers one through ten are straightforward, but counting objects requires a special word called a measure word. This lesson teaches you the ten basic numbers, how to say them with correct tones, and how to count common objects using the general measure word 个 (gè). You will also learn to ask 'how many?' and answer with numbers. By the end, you can count fingers, books, and other small items in Chinese.
By the end, you can…
- say the numbers 1–10 in Mandarin with correct tones.
- count objects using the measure word 个 (gè).
- ask and answer 'how many?' for simple items.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
一、二、三、四、五
one, two, three, four, five
yī, èr, sān, sì, wǔ
The first five numbers. Note the fourth tone in 四 (sì) and the third tone in 五 (wǔ).
六、七、八、九、十
six, seven, eight, nine, ten
liù, qī, bā, jiǔ, shí
The second five numbers. 十 (shí) is ten; it also forms higher numbers like 十一 (eleven).
几个？
How many?
jǐ ge?
Use 几 (jǐ) to ask about a small number, usually under ten. 个 (ge) is the general measure word.
三个苹果。
three apples
sān ge píngguǒ
Number + 个 + noun. 苹果 (píngguǒ) means apple. Use 个 for many everyday objects.
我有五个。
I have five.
wǒ yǒu wǔ ge
The noun can be omitted if clear from context. 有 (yǒu) means 'have'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To count objects in Chinese, use the pattern: Number + 个 (gè) + Noun. For example, 一个苹果 (yī ge píngguǒ) means 'one apple', 两个猫 (liǎng ge māo) means 'two cats', and 十个手指 (shí ge shǒuzhǐ) means 'ten fingers'. Note that for two, you often use 两 (liǎng) instead of 二 (èr) before a measure word. So 'two books' is 两本书 (liǎng běn shū), but for now, 两个 (liǎng ge) is fine. The measure word 个 is the most common and can be used for many objects, though some nouns have specific measure words (like 本 for books). For this lesson, stick with 个.
When to use it
Use this counting pattern whenever you want to say how many of something there are. It works for both speaking and writing. For example, if you see three pens, you can say 三支笔 (sān zhī bǐ). If you want to ask 'how many people?', say 几个人？ (jǐ ge rén?). The question 几 (jǐ) expects a small number, typically under ten. For numbers ten and above, use 多少 (duōshao) instead: 多少个人？ (duōshao ge rén?). In everyday conversation, 个 is acceptable for many items, but as you learn more, you'll pick up specific measure words like 只 (zhī) for animals or 张 (zhāng) for flat objects.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
你有几个苹果？
How many apples do you have?nǐ yǒu jǐ ge píngguǒ?我有三个苹果。
I have three apples.wǒ yǒu sān ge píngguǒ你有几个手指？
How many fingers do you have?nǐ yǒu jǐ ge shǒuzhǐ?我有十个手指。
I have ten fingers.wǒ yǒu shí ge shǒuzhǐA little context goes a long way
In Chinese, measure words are required when counting nouns, unlike English where you can say 'three apples' without an extra word. Using the wrong measure word can sound odd, but 个 is a safe default for many objects. Also, the number two has two forms: 二 (èr) for counting and 两 (liǎng) before measure words. For example, 'two people' is 两个人 (liǎng ge rén), not 二个人. This distinction is important for natural speech.
One thing to watch for
Saying 二个人 (èr ge rén) for 'two people'.
Try this instead: Use 两 (liǎng) before measure words: 两个人 (liǎng ge rén). 二 (èr) is used in counting sequences or phone numbers, but 两 is preferred with measure words.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'five books' in Chinese? (Use 个 as the measure word.)
Show a sample answer
五个书 (wǔ ge shū)
Number + 个 + noun. 五 (wǔ) is five, 个 (ge) is the measure word, and 书 (shū) is book. Note: In real life, books use the measure word 本 (běn), but 个 is acceptable for practice.
2What does 几个猫？ (jǐ ge māo?) mean?
Show a sample answer
How many cats?
几 (jǐ) means 'how many' (for small numbers), 个 (ge) is the measure word, and 猫 (māo) means cat. So the phrase asks 'how many cats?'.
3Translate 'I have eight fingers' into Chinese.
Show a sample answer
我有八个手指。 (wǒ yǒu bā ge shǒuzhǐ.)
我 (wǒ) = I, 有 (yǒu) = have, 八 (bā) = eight, 个 (ge) = measure word, 手指 (shǒuzhǐ) = fingers. The sentence follows the pattern Subject + 有 + Number + 个 + Noun.
Remember: numbers 1–10 are easy, but always add a measure word like 个 when counting objects. Practice counting things around you in Chinese!
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Chinese into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr