In our last session ,we learned how to count from 0 to 10 . This session we are going to practice numbers and the best way to do that is through telephone numbers. But before we practice, there is one thing you need to notice. When there is a “1” (yi) in the telephone number, very often we will pronounce it as “yao”, so as to avoid any confusion with the number 7 (qi), which, if not said clearly sounds similar. For instance, if a telephone number is 121, you will read it as “yao èr yao”, but if you keep it as “yi èr yi”, people will still understand you. Now please read aloud your home, office and cell phone number for practice.

Let’s move up to 2 digit numbers today.

11=10+1, “shí yi”

12=10+2, “shi èr”

13=10+3, “shí san”

……

Keep counting to 19 “shí jiu”

20=2 x 10, “èr shí”

30=3 x 10, “san shí”

…..

How about 21?...Yes, “èr shí yi”, like 2 x 10 + 1; one more example:

35 = 3 x 10 + 5, it’s “san shí wu”, very logical, isn’t it? So just remember the rule! Congratulations, you can count from 1 to 99 in Chinese now!

Ok, let’s do some more exercises, please say the following numbers in Chinese: 45, 69, 87, 17, 90, 38, 27, 14.

Ready for bigger numbers?...“Bai”means hundred, so 100 is “yi bai”, 200 is “èr bai”…… 231 is “èr bai san shí yi”, please note if it is 105, you need to read “0” out, so it will be “yi bai líng wu”, otherwise it means 150 “yi bai wu”. Let’s do some dictation this time, please write down what these numbers are:

sì bai san shí jiu =

liù bai èr shí=

qi bai líng sì=

wu bai shí san=

ba bai ba shí yi=

What is your telephone number?

Kelly Wang is author of this article on Learning Mandarin. Find more information about Studying Mandarin Online here http://www.accentmandarin.com/online.asp.