Learn Numbers in Chinese

HAND GESTURE FOR “ONE”, 一 (YI)

To show 一 yī as a gesture (say, when ordering one cup of coffee/tea), point your index finger upwards 👆

HAND GESTURE FOR 二 (ER), “TWO”

The Chinese hand gesture for 二 (èr), “two”, is a ‘V’ sign made by holding up the index and middle fingers ✌️

 HOW TO USE 二 ÈR

The word for “two” in Chinese is special: there are 2 ways to say it depending on the situation. One is 二 (èr), the other is 两 (liǎng). But when it comes to using them in speech, there is a clear distinction.

Here are the 4 cases when to use 二  (èr):

1. When you count 1, 2, 3

一 (yī), 二 (èr), 三 (sān)…

2. To say “the 2nd”

第二个人 dì èr gè rén – the second person
第二杯咖啡 dì èr bēi kāfēi – the second cup of coffee

3. To say “22”

二十二 (èr shí èr) – twenty-two

4. For building numbers in case the number is in the name (e.g. “Terminal 2”)

T2 (t èr) – Terminal 2 (airport terminals in China are often referred to this way: T1, T2, T3)

HAND GESTURE 两 (liǎng), “TWO”

The Chinese hand gesture for 两 (liang), “two”, is the same same as for 二 (èr), as they represent the same idea  – it’s a ‘V’ sign made by holding up the index and middle fingers ✌️

 HOW TO USE 两 (liǎng)

两 (liǎng) is a special word for “two”. Use it when you count things (e.g. “two people”, two cats”, “two sandwiches”, “two dollars).

CHINESE HAND GESTURE FOR 三 (SĀN), “THREE”

Most Chinese people use their middle finger + ring finger + little finger to show 3.️ So it looks a lot like an OK gesture 👌

CHINESE HAND GESTURE FOR 四 (SÌ), “FOUR”

Most Chinese people use the 4 fingers of their hand (except the thumb) to show “four”.️

HAND GESTURE FOR 五 (wǔ), “FIVE”

The Chinese hand gesture for “five” is one the easiest – it’s just 5 fingers outstretched 🖐

HAND GESTURE FOR 六 (liù), “SIX”

The Chinese hand gesture for 6 is cool – it’s basically a “call me” gesture 🤙

HAND GESTURE FOR 七 (qī), “SEVEN”

The Chinese hand gesture for “seven” is cool too – it very much resembles the famous Italian gesture with pinched fingers, “What?” 🤌

It resembles the character 七!

HAND GESTURE FOR 八 (bā), “EIGHT”

The Chinese hand gesture for “eight” resembles the character 八️ a lot – it’s the thumb and index fingers stretched wide. Compare it with “six”, 六, to practice the difference!

HAND GESTURE FOR 九 (jiǔ), “NINE”

To show “nine” as a hand gesture, bend your index finger in a hook shape.

HAND GESTURE FOR 十 (shí), “TEN”

“Ten” is our final Chinese hand gesture. It’s a “hope” sign with fingers crossed 🤞 , which resembles the character 十.