数字 · Numbers
How to Teach Kids Chinese Numbers 1–100 (with Free Number Cards)
Chinese numbers are one of the easiest places to start learning Mandarin. Once kids know 0–10, they can build every number up to 99 using the same pattern.
Step 1: learn 0–10
| Number | Character | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 零 | líng |
| 1 | 一 | yī |
| 2 | 二 | èr |
| 3 | 三 | sān |
| 4 | 四 | sì |
| 5 | 五 | wǔ |
| 6 | 六 | liù |
| 7 | 七 | qī |
| 8 | 八 | bā |
| 9 | 九 | jiǔ |
| 10 | 十 | shí |
Step 2: 11–99 follow one pattern
- 11–19: ten + digit. 十一 shíyī (11), 十五 shíwǔ (15).
- Tens: digit + ten. 二十 èrshí (20), 五十 wǔshí (50).
- 21–99: digit + ten + digit. 二十三 èrshísān (23), 九十九 jiǔshíjiǔ (99).
- 100: 一百 yìbǎi.
Step 3: 二 or 两?
Both mean "two". Use 二 èr when counting and in numbers like 十二 (12). Use 两 liǎng before a measure word: 两个人 liǎng gè rén (two people).
Step 4: big numbers
百 bǎi = 100, 千 qiān = 1,000, 万 wàn = 10,000, 亿 yì = 100,000,000. Chinese groups big numbers in fours, so 10,000 has its own word.
Games that work
- Number card flash: show a card and kids shout the number. Then swap, so you say it and they pick the card.
- Hand signs: Chinese speakers use one-hand signs for 6–10. Look them up together and practise.
- Hop and count: lay cards 0–10 on the floor and call out numbers to hop to.
- Find it on the chart: using a 1–100 chart, call 三十七 and kids find 37.
Free sample 免费样张
1 printable page: Chinese number cards 0–10 plus 百, 千, 万, 亿 and 两, with pinyin.
Download PDF – US Letter Download PDF – A4
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Want the full set? Chinese Numbers 1–100 Chart + Number Cards – A 1–100 chart in characters with pinyin, plus number cards.