Numbers and measure words
Count from one to ten and order a drink.
Count simple objects using a number and an appropriate classifier.
Hear the lesson phrases
Google voice when available; device voice as a fallback.
Read the audio transcript
一、二、三。 十一 二十 两本书 一杯茶 三个学生
Build numbers
The numbers one to ten are 一、二、三、四、五、六、七、八、九、十. Eleven is 十一, literally ten-one; twenty is 二十, two-ten.
二 is the usual word for two when counting. 两 is commonly used before a classifier: 两本书 means two books.
Use a classifier before a noun
Between a number and a noun, Mandarin normally uses a classifier. 个 is common with people, 本 with books, and 杯 measures cups or glasses.
一 changes tone in many spoken combinations. It is yì before a first, second, or third tone, and yí before a fourth tone. In a counting sequence it remains yī.
Lesson vocabulary
Read each word aloud, then test your recall of its meaning.
| 一 | one | |
| 二 | two (in counting) | |
| 两 | two (before classifiers) | |
| 本 | classifier for books | |
| 杯 | cup; cupful | |
| 茶 | tea |
Practice questions
Answer the questions and read the explanations. You can repeat the exercises.
Count with 二, but learn 两 before classifiers. Store a useful classifier together with each noun.