Meaning
十 is the number ten in Chinese. It is one of the most fundamental numbers and serves as the base for the Chinese counting system. Beyond counting, it appears in many compound numbers, dates, and idiomatic expressions.
Usage
Used in counting, telling time, dates, ages, and prices. When combined with other numbers, it forms teens (十一 = 11), tens (二十 = 20), and appears in fractions and percentages. In spoken Chinese, 十 is often clearly enunciated to distinguish it from similar-sounding numbers like 四 (four) and 七 (seven).
Examples
- 01我今年十八岁。.I am eighteen years old this year.
- 02这本书十块钱。.This book costs ten yuan.
Common collocations
- 十分very, extremely
- 十月October
- 十年ten years
- 十点ten o'clock
Origin
The character 十 is a pictograph showing a vertical line crossed by a horizontal line, representing the completion of counting on both hands (five fingers each). It is one of the oldest Chinese characters, appearing in oracle bone script.