Introduction: HOW TO COUNT TO TEN ON ONE HAND (in Chinese)

In this instructable I will not only teach you to count to ten in Chinese, but also how to do it using only one hand!

So as long as you have one good hand, and a good brain in your head, you are good to go. The only thing left to worry about is what your other hand will do in the meantime.

Let's begin...

Step 1: COUNTING ONE TO FIVE

As in the West, the Chinese count one to five using the first five digits on one hand.

Check out the boxes below for details on how to say the numbers in Chinese.

Step 2: COUNTING SIX TO TEN

Whereas in the West we would probably start using our other hand right about now, here in China we simply start using different permutations of hand signals on just one hand.

Step 3: COUNTING BEYOND TEN

In the West once we have reached TEN then that is it. With this counting system you can count as high as you like by combining numbers.


To show 100, you show ONE, TEN, TEN

To show 200, you show TWO, TEN, TEN

To show 250, you show TWO, TEN, TEN, FIVE, TEN

To show 500, you show FIVE, TEN, TEN

To show 1000, you show ONE, TEN, TEN, TEN


With each ten you shake your fist, but don't do it too violently, you don't want to start a fight!

Now that you are all familiar with the system, time for a test.

Move to the next stage and guess the number...

Step 4: TEST 1

What is the number below?

Step 5: TEST 2

What is the number below?

Step 6: TEST 3

What is the number below?

Post your answers in the comments section.

I look forward to marking your homework, and good luck with using this great technique!