HSK 2
千、万、亿
qiān 、 wàn 、 yì
Large numbers: thousand, ten-thousand, hundred-million
Explanation
This is how to read large numbers in Chinese using the units 千 (qiān = thousand), 万 (wàn = ten-thousand, i.e. 10,000) and 亿 (yì = hundred-million, i.e. 100,000,000). Note that Chinese counts by "ten-thousands" (万) rather than by "millions" as Vietnamese does.
(number) 亿 yì + (number) 万 wàn + (number) 千 qiān + (number) 百 bǎi + (number) 十 shí + (units digit). Read from the largest unit down to the smallest, with each unit preceded by a digit 1-9.
When reading or writing large quantities such as money, population, years... For example 两万 (liǎng wàn) = 20,000; in the thousands/ten-thousands place the digit 2 uses 两 (liǎng) rather than 二 (èr).
When there is an empty place between digits, read 零 (líng = zero/and) once, for example 三千零五十 (3050), 五万零六 (50006); if the zero falls at the very end (such as the tens or units being 0) then 零 is not read. The final unit can be omitted, for example 二千五（百）= 2500, 五万六（千）= 56000.
Vietnamese learners are used to grouping by "millions," so they often get confused with 万 and 亿. Remember 1 亿 = 一万万 (10,000 × 10,000). Don't read several 零 in a row; no matter how many consecutive zeros there are, read 零 only once.
Examples
1252, 2500, 3050, 3005
21465, 56000, 50600, 50006
450 million, 456,720,000
Practice
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Learn “千、万、亿” effectively
The grammar point “千、万、亿” (Large numbers: thousand, ten-thousand, hundred-million) is one of the key structures at HSK 2. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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