Beginner Chinese · Simplified characters · 10 focus words
Numbers 1–10
Read and write ten Chinese numbers, then use them to count books.
Your goal: Recognize 一 to 十 and put a number before 本书 when counting books.
01 · Read
Get to know the words.
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning here |
|---|---|---|
| 一 | yī | one |
| 二 | èr | two |
| 三 | sān | three |
| 四 | sì | four |
| 五 | wǔ | five |
| 六 | liù | six |
| 七 | qī | seven |
| 八 | bā | eight |
| 九 | jiǔ | nine |
| 十 | shí | ten |
Supporting words for the sentence exercises (5)
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning here |
|---|---|---|
| 我 | wǒ | I; me |
| 我们 | wǒmen | we; us |
| 有 | yǒu | have |
| 本 | běn | measure word for books |
| 书 | shū | book |
Use 二 when counting “one, two, three”. Before a measure word, 两 is usually used for “two”: 两本书. This lesson practises three and ten to keep that distinction clear.
Pinyin in the word list shows the reading used here. Neutral syllables have no tone mark. Spoken tone changes can differ from dictionary tones; these activities do not include audio.
02 · Write
Watch a stroke. Try it yourself.
Begin with 一、二、三. Compare the lengths and spacing of their horizontal strokes. Then work through 四 to 十 with the stroke animation. Say the number as you finish each character.
Start with the guides visible. Replay any character you need, then try with less help. Writing practice works through the characters in your focus vocabulary.
03 · Build
Put the words to work.
Read the examples, then arrange the same words in the guided sentence tool. Supporting words are listed above.
我有三本书。
Wǒ yǒu sān běn shū.
I have three books.
三本书 means “three books”. 本 belongs between the number and 书.
我们有十本书。
Wǒmen yǒu shí běn shū.
We have ten books.
我们 is “we”. Keep the same counting pattern: 十 + 本 + 书.
Opens this lesson’s guided set. Your solved exercises are kept; the current exercise starts at the beginning of this set.
04 · Remember
Try without the model.
Answer on paper or aloud before opening each answer.
Write “seven” and “nine” without looking at the list.
Show answer
七 · 九
Complete “three books”: 三 __ 书.
Show answer
本 → 三本书 (sān běn shū)
05 · Keep practising
Take this lesson to paper.
一 yī · one
二 èr · two
三 sān · three
Studio opens with the 10 focus words and this lesson’s title. Choose your tracing and repetition settings, then print or save as PDF from your browser. Supporting sentence words can be added in Settings.
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