A language is a way for us to communicate with each other. It is a group of sentences linked together systematically that convey meaning. When we learn a language, we also need to learn to count in that language. Number words help to express the value or quantity of something. Any language is incomplete without numbers.
The Mandarin Chinese number system is an ancient system that has been in use since the Han dynasty in 200 B.C. China. Mandarin Chinese numbers have significance in Chinese culture. Chinese tradition associates numbers with fortune. People in China believe in numerology and ‘lucky numbers’. Even though the commonly used number system in China today is Arabic-Roman, two of its number systems are used occasionally. Counting in Mandarin Chinese requires you to learn the symbols and sounds representing their numbers.
Advantages of learning counting in Mandarin Chinese
Learning to count in Mandarin Chinese has many advantages depending on the learner’s needs. For a person who wants to move to China, counting in Mandarin Chinese is a must, as many official documents and banknotes require Mandarin Chinese numbers to be written. Besides that, daily needs like buying groceries, reading signboards, and traveling also require you to be familiar with Mandarin Chinese numbers. A person interested in exploring Chinese culture and language will also gain immensely from it. Learning to count in Mandarin Chinese will allow you to properly appreciate Chinese history and tradition.
Chinese finger counting technique
The Chinese finger counting technique is a unique way of communicating Mandarin Chinese numbers through hand signs. It is also known as the Chinese hand-counting method. This method helps you count to ten in Mandarin Chinese on your fingers. Counting from 1 to 5 is simple, but 6 to 10 uses specific hand gestures. To count from 1 to 5, simply extend out the fingers on your hand, and to count from 6 onwards, there are special gestures distinct from normal counting. There are mild variations in the hand gestures for the numbers seven, eight, and nine in North China and South China. These hand gestures are commonly used in business and form a part of the Chinese sign language. They bring a sense of community among the Chinese all over the world. Chinese hand-counting technique is unique as you only need to use a single hand to count from 1 to 10.
Tips to learn to count to 100 in MandarinChinese
At first, counting in Mandarin Chinese can seem a bit daunting, but this is not true. Mandarin Chinese number characters are shorter than Arabic number words. For beginners, who are new to the Mandarin Chinese language, understanding how to count in Mandarin Chinese is also a big task. There are many tools to help you learn to count in Mandarin Chinese. Here are some tips and tricks to learn Mandarin Chinese counting to 100 for children:
Make a song - When you are trying to memorize something like the alphabet or numbers, rhymes are the best way for children to enjoy learning. This way, they learn faster and remember longer. This is why we at LingoAce created the Candies & Numbers song to help your child learn how to count in a fun and engaging way.
Learn using patterns - Our natural logic helps us remember patterns. To make counting to 100 in Mandarin Chinese easier, break down the numbers into lots of ten. So, learn to count to 10 first, then understand how to count to 20 in Mandarin Chinese. For example,1 to 10, 11 to 20, 20 to 30 etc. The first lot (1 to 10) acts as the base, so it should be given extra importance while learning.
Practice slowly and regularly - Trying to learn too fast can become an obstacle rather than an advantage. A well-paced learning schedule can help children retain more information. Regular practice is an old but sure way to success.
Use charts and tables - Visual tools like charts and tables help children count to ten in Mandarin Chinese and organize large numbers such as 82, 99, etc. Charts and tables show comparisons between Arabic numerals and their Mandarin Chinese counterparts. For example, 10 and 十 written side by side.
Best online resources to learn to count in MandarinChinese
Thanks to technology, we can learn anything from anywhere in the world at the click of a button. Online learning has become very popular as it is easy to access and provides multiple options to choose from. Resources like videos, apps, games, quizzes, animations, etc., are available online. Here are the best online resources available to learn counting in Mandarin Chinese:
Videos - Videos are engaging and interactive. They are also pre-recorded, so they can repeatedly watch to understand Mandarin Chinese counting with hands slowly. A lot of information is packed into short videos. They act as visual and auditory aids to learning.
Games - As children love playing games, game-based learning has proved to be a successful method for children and adults. It is full of colorful audio-visuals and animations. You can think of some game or counting song in Mandarin Chinese that creatively includes numbers. Such activities also have a rewarding feature, which keeps you hooked.
Apps - Apps are a combination of games, animations, and quizzes. They offer a whole package of learning. Apps can either be paid or free. You can select the best app out of the many available. Mandarin Chinese learning apps can be used on multiple devices so that you can learn on the go.
Quizzes - Puzzles and quizzes have the unique ability to arouse our curiosity. These are some of the most exciting activities while learning to count in Mandarin Chinese. There are many quizzes and puzzles available online, and solving them can boost your confidence.
Learning the Mandarin Chinese language is incomplete without learning to count in Mandarin Chinese. Even though Arabic numerals are commonly used in China today, there are many advantages of learning to count in Mandarin Chinese for those who value tradition and culture. Just like learning any new language, there are ways to memorize the Mandarin Chinese number system through rhymes, charts, hand gestures, etc. Along with these, there are many online resources to make Mandarin Chinese counting fun and easy. So if you’ve been planning to learn Mandarin Chinese numbers, don’t wait because there is no right time to start.
