Numbers and measure words

Google voice when available; device voice as a fallback. Pinyin shows dictionary tones; natural speech includes the tone changes taught in the lessons.

Build numbers from familiar pieces

The digits are 零 líng, 一 yī, 二 èr, 三 sān, 四 sì, 五 wǔ, 六 liù, 七 qī, 八 bā, 九 jiǔ, and 十 shí. Eleven is 十一, twenty is 二十, and twenty-three is 二十三.

For a telephone number, read individual digits rather than combining them into larger numbers. The digit 一 is also often read yāo in phone numbers; the ordinary counting form is yī.

Count a noun with a measure word

A common pattern is number + measure word + noun. 一本书 is one book; 两本书 is two books. 本 is used for books and similar bound volumes. 个 is a common general measure word, but it does not replace every specific measure word in careful speech.

杯 can count cupfuls: 一杯水 means a cup of water. Contrast 一个杯子, one cup as an object, with 一杯水, one cupful of water.

Choose 两 and ask with 几

Before measure words, use 两 for two: 两本书. Use 二 when counting digits or inside numbers such as 二十三. Do not change 二十 to 两十.

几 asks “how many” when a relatively small number is expected. Keep the measure word in the question: 几本书？ The answer uses the same noun pattern with a number.

Lesson vocabulary

Listen once, say it aloud, and try to recall the Chinese before looking.

Practice questions

Try every question, then check your answers. Capital letters and punctuation do not affect your score. Pinyin tone marks matter. For typed answers, use simplified characters or the taught pinyin (spacing is flexible).

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Independent practice

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