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I need to write a numeral in 汉字。

But I am not sure, if I need to put 一 in huge numerals before tens. So, my numeral is 81,016 and my question is: do I need to write:

八万一千零一十六

or:

八万一千零十六

Which form is right? Thank you for helping!

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7
  • 2
    Chinese a Comprehensive Grammar:note that in counting numbers larger than 100, 一 yi 'one' has to be incorporated before tens as well, thus 八万一千零一十六 is needed
    – user6065
    Mar 27, 2016 at 15:05
  • Might as well put it as 八万一千十六, because there is no confusion here.
    – user4452
    Mar 27, 2016 at 17:26
  • @倪阔乐 no, in this case, 零 is a must, unless there's some hundred(s).
    – Stan
    Mar 28, 2016 at 3:26
  • @Stan: No, it is optional if there is no ambiguity.
    – user4452
    Mar 28, 2016 at 8:36
  • @倪阔乐 it seems currently there's no authoritative standard for that. But 八万一千十六 really sounds awkward to my ears, I don't know how other native speakers feel. :/
    – Stan
    Mar 28, 2016 at 9:49

3 Answers 3

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4

Both representations (八万一千零一十六 and 八万一千零十六) are correct, while 八万一千零一十六 sounds more natural.

Rule

The rule is actually very simple.

Use 十… instead of 一十… at the very beginning of the number. Otherwise, just keep the 一十.

Example:

1 = 一
11 = 十一
310 = 三百一十
3010 = 三千零一十
3310 = 三千三百一十
30010 = 三万零一十
100010 = 十万零一十
30100010 = 三千零一十万零一十

Tools

You can use online tools to do the conversion. Input Arabic numbers, and get Chinese output. Both tools can handle negative value & decimal places. It is suggested to compare the result from both tools if using for formal usage.

  1. Mandatintools.com - Variety of output styles:

    • Traditional Chinese - 81016 = 八萬一千零一十六
    • Simplified Chinese - 81016 = 八万一千零一十六
    • Traditional Chinese (formal) - 81016 = 捌萬壹仟零壹拾陸
    • Simplified Chinese (formal) - 81016 = 捌万壹仟零壹拾陆
    • Pinyin - 81016 = ba1 wan4 yi1 qian1 ling2 yi1 shi2 liu4

All translations are perfectly correct and natural, except:

  • The character 一 is not necessary for those beginning with 一十... (e.g. 一十二萬零五, 一十億). It is still correct, but unnatural.

  1. Chinesetools.eu - Variety of input types (Numbers, Dates, Years, Time, Money, Fractions, Decimals, Percents). Only one output style:

    • Simplified Chinese with Pinyin
      120101 = 十二万〇一百〇一 shíèr wàn/mò líng yībǎi líng yī

All translations are perfectly correct and natural, except:

  • I cannot understand why 万 has a pinyin of mò.

  • The dollar character should be 块 instead of 快.

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3
  • How well can we trust that online tool?
    – Stan
    Apr 13, 2016 at 9:22
  • 1
    i have tested quite several numbers. all the translated chinese number are perfectly fine, except the character 一 is not necessary in cases like 100000 = 一十萬, 1000000000 = 一十億, 10000000000000 = 一十兆. for example, 120555 = 一十二萬零五百五十五 is more natural to be writtern as 十二萬零五百五十五. alternatively, you can try this tool although only simplified chinese translation is provided. i didn't find any translation issues in this tool.
    – wilson
    Apr 13, 2016 at 10:13
  • let me add it to the answer
    – wilson
    Apr 13, 2016 at 10:15
3

八万一千零一十六 is the correct way to say it. 八万一千零十六 would be understood, but sounds awkward.

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0

I think "八万一千零一十六" is more common and formal, though "八万一千零十六" can be used also.

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2
  • Hi j5shi, thank you for your contribution! It would be better if you add more information with reference :D
    – George
    Mar 30, 2016 at 19:27
  • You may find it (written in Chinese) here: baike.baidu.com/view/1624026.htm, the reason why 十六 should be written in 一十六 was originated from the bank, to avoid the notes from being changed maliciously, e.g. 十六 may be changed to 二十六
    – j5shi
    Mar 31, 2016 at 13:31

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