Editing Chinese numerals (section)

== Basic counting in Chinese ==
[[File:Muyu-G209-1620km-5469-crop.jpg|thumb|Chinese and Arabic numerals may coexist, as on this kilometer marker: {{convert|1620|km|abbr=on}} on [[China National Highway 209|Hwy G209]] ({{zhi|c=G二〇九}})]]
The Chinese character numeral system consists of the [[Chinese characters]] used by the [[Chinese written language]] to write spoken numerals. Similar to spelling-out numbers in English (e.g., "one thousand nine hundred forty-five"), it is not an independent system ''per se''. Since it reflects spoken language, it does not use the positional system as in [[Arabic numerals]], in the same way that spelling out numbers in English does not.

=== Ordinary numerals ===
There are characters representing the numbers zero through nine, and other characters representing larger numbers such as tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands and hundred millions. There are two sets of characters for Chinese numerals: one for everyday writing, known as {{zhi|p=xiǎoxiě}} ({{zhi|t=小寫|s=小写|l=small writing|first=t}}), and one for use in commercial, accounting or financial contexts, known as {{zhi|p=dàxiě}} ({{zhi|t=大寫|s=大写|l=big writing|first=t}} or 'capital numbers'). The latter were developed by [[Wu Zetian]] ({{floruit|690–705}}) and were further refined by the [[Hongwu Emperor]] ({{floruit|1328–1398}}).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guo |first=Xianghe |date=2009-07-27 |title=武则天为反贪发明汉语大写数字——中新网 |trans-title=Wu Zetian invented Chinese capital numbers to fight corruption |url=https://www.chinanews.com.cn/hb/news/2009/07-27/1792519.shtml |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=中新社 [China News Service]}}</ref> They arose because the characters used for writing numerals are geometrically simple, so simply using those numerals cannot prevent forgeries in the same way spelling numbers out in English would.<ref>[http://big5.hwjyw.com/zyzx/jxsc/hy/200912/t20091215_34515.shtml 大寫數字「] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722183729/http://big5.hwjyw.com/zyzx/jxsc/hy/200912/t20091215_34515.shtml |date=2011-07-22 }}</ref> A forger could easily change the everyday characters {{zhi|c=三十}} (30) to {{zhi|c=五千}} (5000) just by adding a few strokes. That would not be possible when writing using the financial characters {{zhi|c=參拾}} (30) and {{zhi|c=伍仟}} (5000). They are also referred to as "banker's numerals" or "anti-fraud numerals". For the same reason, rod numerals were never used in commercial records.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Value
! colspan="2" | Financial !! colspan="2" | Ordinary
! rowspan="2" | [[Pinyin]] (Mandarin) !! rowspan="2" | [[Jyutping]] (Cantonese) !! rowspan="2" | [[Tâi-uân Lô-má-jī Phing-im Hong-àn|Tâi-lô]] (Hokkien) !! rowspan="2" | [[Romanization of Wu Chinese|Wugniu]] {{Ref|wugniu}}(Shanghainese)
! rowspan="2" | Notes
|-
! Traditional !! Simplified<ref>{{cite web |title=会计基础工作规范 |url=https://kj.czt.gd.gov.cn/gdzh/7316 |website=广东省会计信息服务平台}}</ref>{{rp|&sect;52}} !! Traditional !! Simplified
|-
| [[0 (number)|0]]
| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=零}}|| colspan="2" |{{zhi|c=零}} or {{zhi|c=〇}}
|{{zhi|p=líng}}||{{zhi|j=ling4}}||{{zhi|poj=khòng, lêng}}||{{transliteration|wuu|{{sup|6}}lin}}
|Usually {{zhi|c=零}} is preferred, but in some areas, 〇 may be a more common informal way to represent zero. The original Chinese character is {{zhi|c=空}} or {{zhi|c=〇}}, {{zhi|c=零}} is referred as remainder something less than 1 yet not nil [{{zhi|c=說文}}] referred. The traditional {{zhi|c=零}} is more often used in schools. In Unicode, 〇 is treated as a [[CJK Symbols and Punctuation|Chinese symbol or punctuation]], rather than a [[CJK Unified Ideographs|Chinese ideograph]].
|-
| [[1 (number)|1]]
| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=壹}}|| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=一}}
|{{zhi|p=yī}}||{{zhi|j=jat1}}||{{zhi|poj=it, tsi̍t}}||{{transliteration|wuu|{{sup|7}}iq}}
|Also {{zhi|c=弌}} (obsolete financial), can be easily manipulated into {{zhi|c=弍|l=two}} or {{zhi|c=弎|l=three}}.
|-
| [[2 (number)|2]]
|{{zhi|c=貳}}||{{zhi|c=贰}}|| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=二}}
|{{zhi|p=èr}}||{{zhi|j=ji6}}||{{zhi|poj=jī, nn̄g}}||{{transliteration|wuu|{{sup|6}}gni, {{sup|6}}er, {{sup|6}}lian}}
|Also {{zhi|c=弍}} (obsolete, financial), can be easily manipulated into {{zhi|c=弌|l=one}} or {{zhi|c=弎|l=three}}. Also {{zhi|t=兩|s=两}}.
|-
|[[3 (number)|3]]
|{{zhi|c=參}}||{{zhi|c=叁}}|| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=三}}
|{{zhi|p=sān}}||{{zhi|j=saam1}}||{{zhi|poj=sam, sann}}||{{transliteration|wuu|{{sup|1}}se}}
|Also {{zhi|c=弎}} (obsolete financial), which can be easily manipulated into {{zhi|c=弌|l=one}} or {{zhi|c=弍|l=two}}.
|-
| [[4 (number)|4]]
| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=肆}}|| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=四}}
|{{zhi|p=sì}}||{{zhi|j=sei3}}||{{zhi|poj=sù, sì}}||{{transliteration|wuu|{{sup|5}}sy}}
|Also {{zhi|c=䦉}} (obsolete financial).{{refn|group=nb|[[Variant Chinese characters|Variant Chinese character]] of {{zhi|c=肆}}, with a {{zhi|c=镸}} radical next to a {{zhi|c=四}} character. Not all browsers may be able to display this character, which forms a part of the Unicode [[List of CJK Unified Ideographs#CJK Unified Ideographs Extension A|CJK Unified Ideographs Extension A]] group.}}
|-
|[[5 (number)|5]]
| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=伍}}|| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=五}}
|{{zhi|p=wǔ}}||{{zhi|j=ng5}}||{{zhi|poj=ngóo, gōo}}||{{transliteration|wuu|{{sup|6}}ng}}
|{{N/A}}
|-
|[[6 (number)|6]]
|{{zhi|c=陸}}||{{zhi|c=陆}}|| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=六}}
|{{zhi|p=liù}}||{{zhi|j=luk6}}||{{zhi|poj=liok, la̍k}}||{{transliteration|wuu|{{sup|8}}loq}}
|{{N/A}}
|-
|[[7 (number)|7]]
| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=柒}}|| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=七}}
|{{zhi|p=qī}}||{{zhi|j=cat1}}||{{zhi|poj=tshit}}||{{transliteration|wuu|{{sup|7}}chiq}}
|{{N/A}}
|-
|[[8 (number)|8]]
| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=捌}}|| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=八}}
|{{zhi|p=bā}}||{{zhi|j=baat3}}||{{zhi|poj=pat, peh}}||{{transliteration|wuu|{{sup|7}}paq}}
|{{N/A}}
|-
|[[9 (number)|9]]
| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=玖}}|| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=九}}
|{{zhi|p=jiǔ}}||{{zhi|j=gau2}}||{{zhi|poj=kiú, káu}}||{{transliteration|wuu|{{sup|5}}cieu}}
|{{N/A}}
|-
|[[10 (number)|10]]
| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=拾}}|| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=十}}
|{{zhi|p=shí}}||{{zhi|j=sap6}}||{{zhi|poj=si̍p, tsa̍p}}||{{transliteration|wuu|{{sup|8}}zeq}}
|Although some people use {{zhi|c=什}} as financial{{Citation needed|date=August 2013}}, it is not ideal because it can be easily manipulated into {{zhi|c=伍|l=five}} or {{zhi|c=仟|l=thousand}}.
|-
|[[100 (number)|100]]
| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=佰}}|| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=百}}
|{{zhi|p=bǎi}}||{{zhi|j=baak3}}||{{zhi|poj=pek, pah}}||{{transliteration|wuu|{{sup|7}}paq}}
|{{N/A}}
|-
|[[1000 (number)|1,000]]
| colspan="2" | {{zhi|c=仟}}|| colspan="2"| {{zhi|c=千}}
|{{zhi|p=qiān}}||{{zhi|j=cin1}}||{{zhi|poj=tshian, tsheng}}||{{transliteration|wuu|{{sup|1}}chi}}
|{{N/A}}
|-
|[[10000 (number)|10<sup>4</sup>]]
| {{zhi|c=萬}}||{{zhi|c=万}} ||{{zhi|c=萬}}||{{zhi|c=万}}
|{{zhi|p=wàn}}||{{zhi|j=maan6}}||{{zhi|poj=bān}}||{{transliteration|wuu|{{sup|6}}ve}}
|Chinese numbers group by ten-thousands; see [[#Reading and transcribing numbers|Reading and transcribing numbers]] below.
|-
|[[1 E8|10<sup>8</sup>]]
| {{zhi|c=億}}||{{zhi|c=亿}}||{{zhi|c=億}}||{{zhi|c=亿}}
|{{zhi|p=yì}}||{{zhi|j=jik1}}||{{zhi|poj=ik}}||{{transliteration|wuu|{{sup|5}}i, {{sup|6}}yi}}
|For variant meanings and words for higher values, see [[#Large numbers|Large numbers]] below.
|}
1. {{note|wugniu}}Wugniu is a pan-Wu romanization scheme, but the exact romanization depends on the variety. The romanization listed here is specifically for Shanghainese.

=== Regional usage ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Financial
! Normal
! Value
! Pinyin
! Standard alternative
! Notes
|-
|
| {{lang|zh|空}}
| [[0 (number)|0]]
| {{zhi|p=kòng}}
| {{lang|zh|零}}
| Historically, the use of {{lang|zh|空}} for 'zero' predates {{lang|zh|零}}. This is now archaic in most [[varieties of Chinese]], but it is still used in most of [[Southern Min]].
|-
|
| {{lang|zh|洞}}
| [[0 (number)|0]]
| {{zhi|p=dòng}}
| {{lang|zh|零}}
| Literally 'a hole', is analogous to the shape of {{angbr|0}} and {{angbr|{{zhi|c=〇}}}}, it is used to unambiguously pronounce  ''#0'' in [[Radiotelephony procedure|radio communication]].<ref name="Li2016">{{Cite news |last=Li |first=Suming |date=18 March 2016 |title="军语"里的那些秘密 武警少将亲自为您揭开 |trans-title=Secrets in the "Military Lingo", Reveled by PAP General |work=People's Armed Police |editor-last=Qiao |editor-first=Meng |url=http://www.81.cn/jwsj/2016-03/18/content_6967336.htm |access-date=2021-06-18}}</ref><ref name="atmp2020">{{Cite book |url=https://www.caa.gov.tw/Article.aspx?a=1356&lang=1 |title=飛航管理程序 |date=30 November 2015 |edition=14 |trans-title=Air Traffic Management Procedures}}</ref>
|-
|
| {{lang|zh|幺}}
| [[1 (number)|1]]
| {{zhi|p=yāo}}
| {{lang|zh|一}}
| Literally 'the smallest', it is used to unambiguously pronounce  ''#1'' in radio communication.<ref name="Li2016"/><ref name="atmp2020"/> This usage is not observed in Cantonese except for {{zhi|c=十三幺}}, which refers to a special winning hand in [[mahjong]].
|-
|
| {{lang|zh|蜀}}
| [[1 (number)|1]]
| {{zhi|p=shǔ}}
| {{lang|zh|一}}
| In most [[Min varieties]], there are two words meaning 'one'. For example, in [[Hokkien]], {{zhi|poj=chi̍t}} is used before a [[Chinese classifier|classifier]]: 'one person' is {{zhi|poj=chi̍t ê lâng}}, not {{zhi|poj=it ê lâng}}. In [[written Hokkien]], {{zhi|c=一}} is often used for both {{zhi|poj=chi̍t}} and {{zhi|poj=it}}, but some authors differentiate, writing {{zhi|c=蜀}} for {{zhi|poj=chi̍t}} and {{zhi|c=一}} for {{zhi|poj=it}}.
|-
|
| {{zhi|t=兩|s=两}}
| [[2 (number)|2]]
| {{zhi|p=liǎng}}
| {{lang|zh|二}}
| Used instead of {{zhi|c=二}} before a [[Chinese classifier|classifier]]. For example, 'two people' is {{zhi|c=两个人}}, not {{zhi|c=二个人}}. However, in some lects such as Shanghainese, {{zhi|c=兩}} is the generic term used for two in most contexts, such as {{zhi|c=四十兩}} and not {{zhi|c=四十二}}. It appears where 'a pair of' might in English, but {{zhi|c=两}} is always used in such cases. It is also used for numbers, with usage varying from dialect to dialect, even person to person. For example, '2222' can be read as {{zhi|c=二千二百二十二}}, {{zhi|c=兩千二百二十二}}, or even {{zhi|c=兩千兩百二十二}} in Mandarin. It is used to unambiguously pronounce  ''#2'' in radio communication.<ref name="Li2016"/><ref name="atmp2020"/>
|-
|
| {{zhi|t=倆|s=俩}}
| [[2 (number)|2]]
| {{zhi|p=liǎ}}
| {{lang|zh|兩}}
| In regional dialects of [[Northeastern Mandarin]], {{zhi|c=倆}} represents a "lazy" pronunciation of {{zhi|c=兩}} within the local dialect. It can be used as an alternative for {{zhi|c=兩个|l=two of}}, e.g. {{zhi|c=我们倆|p=wǒmen liǎ|l=the two of us}}, as opposed to {{zhi|c=我们兩个|p=wǒmen liǎng gè}}. A measure word never follows {{zhi|c=倆}}.
|-
|
| {{lang|zh|仨}}
| [[3 (number)|3]]
| {{zhi|p=sā}}
| {{lang|zh|三}}
| In regional dialects of [[Northeastern Mandarin]], {{zhi|c=仨}} represents a "lazy" pronunciation of three within the local dialect. It can be used as a general number to represent 'three', e.g.{{zhi|c=第仨号|p=dìsāhào|l=number three}}; {{zhi|c=星期仨|p=xīngqīsā|l=Wednesday}}, or as an alternative for {{zhi|c=三个|l=three of}}, e.g. {{zhi|c=我们仨|p=wǒmen sā|l=the three of us}}, as opposed to {{zhi|c=我们三个|p=wǒmen sān gè}}). Regardless of usage, a measure word never follows {{zhi|c=仨}}.
|-
|
| {{lang|zh|拐}}
| [[7 (number)|7]]
| {{zhi|p=guǎi}}
| {{lang|zh|七}}
| Literally 'a turn' or 'a walking stick' and is analogous to the shape of {{angbr|7}} and {{zhi|c=七}}, it is used to unambiguously pronounce  ''#7'' in radio communication.<ref name="Li2016"/><ref name="atmp2020"/>
|-
|
| {{lang|zh|勾}}
| [[9 (number)|9]]
| {{zhi|p=gōu}}
| {{lang|zh|九}}
| Literally 'a hook' and is analogous to the shape of {{angbr|9}}, it is used to unambiguously pronounce  ''#9'' in radio communication.<ref name="Li2016"/><ref name="atmp2020"/>
|-
|
|{{lang|zh|呀}}
|[[10 (number)|10]]
| {{zhi|p=yà}}
|{{lang|zh|十}}
|In spoken [[Cantonese]], {{zhc|c=呀|j=aa6}} can be used in place of {{zhi|c=十}} when it is used in the middle of a number, preceded by a multiplier and followed by a ones digit, e.g. {{zhi|c=六呀三}} '63', it is not used by itself to mean 10. This usage is not observed in Mandarin.
|-
|{{lang|zh|念}}
|{{lang|zh|廿}}
|[[20 (number)|20]]
|{{zhi|p=niàn}}
|{{zhi|c=二十}}
|A contraction of {{zhi|c=二十}}. The written form is still used to refer to dates, especially Chinese calendar dates. Spoken form is still used in various dialects of Chinese. See [[#Reading and transcribing numbers|Reading and transcribing numbers]] section below. In spoken [[Cantonese]], {{zhc|c=廿|j=jaa6}} can be used in place of {{zhi|c=二十}} when followed by another digit such as in numbers 21–29 (e.g. {{zhi|c=廿三}} '23', a measure word, e.g. {{zhi|c=廿個}}, a noun, or in a phrase like {{zhi|c=廿幾}} 'twenty-something'. It is not used by itself to mean 20. {{zhi|c=廿|j=jiāp/gnie6}} is still used in place of {{zhi|c=二十}} in Southern Min and Wu. {{lang|zh|卄}} is a rare variant.
|-
|
|{{lang|zh|卅}}
|[[30 (number)|30]]
|{{zhi|p=sà}}
|{{zhi|c=三十}}
|A contraction of {{zhi|c=三十}}. The written form is still used to abbreviate date references in Chinese. For example, [[May 30 Movement]] ({{zhi|c=五卅運動}}). The spoken form is still used in various dialects of Chinese. In spoken [[Cantonese]], {{zhi|c=卅|j=saa1}} can be used in place of {{zhi|c=三十}} when followed by another digit such as in numbers 31–39, a measure word (e.g. {{zhi|c=卅個}}), a noun, or in phrases like {{zhi|c=卅幾}} 'thirty-something'. It is not used by itself to mean 30. When spoken {{zhi|c=卅}} is pronounced as {{zhi|c=卅呀|j=saa1-aa6}}. Thus {{zhi|c=卅一}} '31', is pronounced as {{Transliteration|yue|saa1-aa6-jat1}}.
|-
|
|{{lang|zh|卌}}
|[[40 (number)|40]]
|{{zhi|p=xì}}
|{{zhi|c=四十}}
|A contraction of {{zhi|c=四十}}. Found in historical writings written in [[Literary Chinese]]. Spoken form is still used in various dialects of Chinese, albeit very rare. See [[#Reading and transcribing numbers|Reading and transcribing numbers]] section below. In spoken Cantonese {{zhi|c=卌|j=sei3}} can be used in place of {{zhi|c=四十}} when followed by another digit such as in numbers 41–49, a measure word (e.g. {{zhi|c=卌個}}), a noun, or in phrases like {{zhi|c=卌幾}} 'forty-something', it is not used by itself to mean 40. When spoken, {{zhi|c=卌}} is pronounced as {{zhi|c=卌呀|j=sei3-aa6}}. Thus {{zhi|c=卌一|j=41}}, is pronounced as {{Transliteration|yue|sei3-aa6-jat1}}. Similarly, in Southern Min 41 can be referred to as {{zhi|c=卌一|j=siap it}}.
|-
|
|{{lang|zh|皕}}
|[[200 (number)|200]]
|{{zhi|p=bì}}
|{{zhi|c=二百}}
|Very rarely used; one example is in the name of a library in [[Huzhou]], {{zhi|c=皕宋樓|p=Bìsòng Lóu}}.
|}