Traditional Chinese course

Lesson 14 of 240

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Numbers one to ten in Traditional Chinese

At Banyan Breakfast, A-Li reads the number cards at the counter to help Maya choose an order. He gets all the way to ten, though Auntie Lin only needs to know how many Maya wants.

Learn to count from one to ten, say zero, and ask for a small number of items. Then try the numbers in a quick exchange at the counter.

By the end of this lesson

Count from one to ten, say zero, and tell someone how many you want.

  • 一二三四五One, two, three, four, five.
  • 六七八九十Six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
  • 零Zero.
  • 兩個Two of them.
  • 我要三個I'll take three.
  • 十個Ten of them.

Scene — number cards at breakfast

Number cards lie on the counter at Banyan Breakfast. Maya looks at them while A-Li, seated nearby on his two stools, offers to read them aloud.

Auntie Lin is ready to take Maya's order. A-Li's soy milk is still beside him, unfinished.

Maya studies number cards on the counter while A-Li sits nearby and Auntie Lin gets ready to take her order.

Learn — count and order

Start with two short counting lines, then learn zero. The last three lines help you talk about how many you want.

Listen and repeat each line before using it at the counter.

  1. A-Li offers to read the first group of number cards while Maya watches.

    一二三四五

    One, two, three, four, five.

    When to use it: Count the first five numbers aloud.

    Say it: 一 stays first tone when counting aloud.

  2. A-Li continues reading the cards as Maya follows his gesture across the counter.

    六七八九十

    Six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

    When to use it: Continue counting from six through ten.

  3. Maya notices the empty-looking card and reacts to it.

    零

    Zero.

    When to use it: Say this when you see the number zero.

  4. A-Li indicates that he wants two breakfast items alongside his soy milk.

    兩個

    Two of them.

    When to use it: Say this when you want two items.

    Learn this amount as one piece.

    Say it: The last syllable has a light, neutral tone.

  5. Maya clearly orders three breakfast items from Auntie Lin.

    我要三個

    I'll take three.

    When to use it: Tell someone you want three items.

    Learn this order as one piece.

  6. Auntie Lin indicates a large batch of breakfast items on the counter.

    十個

    Ten of them.

    When to use it: Say this when the amount is ten.

Story — A-Li reads the cards

A-Li reads the number cards at the breakfast counter for Maya. Once he reaches ten, Auntie Lin turns the conversation back to Maya's order.

  1. Maya這是什麼？What's this?
  2. Auntie Lin零。Zero.
  3. A-Li一二三四五。One, two, three, four, five.
  4. A-Li六七八九十。Six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
  5. Maya十個？Ten of them?
  6. A-Li十個。Ten of them.
  7. Auntie Lin兩個？Two of them?
  8. Maya我要三個。I'll take three.
  9. Auntie Lin好喔。Okay.
  10. Maya謝謝。Thank you.

Practice — numbers at the counter

Use the cards and a breakfast order to check each number. Some exercises ask what you heard; others ask you to choose or complete a line.

Say each answer aloud after you check it.

0 of 10 done

  1. What does it mean?

    一二三四五

  2. Build the line

    Six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

    Tap the words in order.

  3. What do you say?

    Auntie Lin points to the number 0 on a card. Say that number.

  4. What do you say?

    You want exactly two items. Give Auntie Lin the amount.

  5. Fill the gap

    I'll take three.

    我要____個

  6. What did you hear?

  7. What do you say?

    You point to an unfamiliar card. Ask Auntie Lin what it is.

  8. What do you say?

    Auntie Lin helps you with your order. Thank her.

  9. Swap the word

    Change your order from ten items to three.

    我要____個

  10. Pick the reply

    Auntie Lin says:

    十個？

    Ten of them?

    And you reply with:

Say it — your turn to count

Play Maya at the breakfast counter. Count the cards for A-Li, then tell Auntie Lin how many you want.

Listen to the other person before each turn and say your answer aloud.

  1. A-Li先數這些。Count these first.
  2. Maya (you)Count from one through five.

    一二三四五

    One, two, three, four, five.

0 of 4 said

Recap — what you can say now

Traditional ChineseEnglish
一二三四五One, two, three, four, five.
六七八九十Six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
零Zero.
兩個Two of them.
我要三個I'll take three.
十個Ten of them.
Next: lesson 15How much is it

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Keep practicing with Yak Cards

Practice these numbers in Yak Cards before your next breakfast order.

Count a few things around you, then say how many you would like.

Open Yak Cards