How to count on your fingers in Chinese
Have you ever watched the movie Inglorious Basterds by Quentin Tarantino? There is one particular scene in which a group of ally spies meets in a bar in German-occupied France, dressed up as German soldiers. A German SS officer joins them and notices how one British spy orders three glasses by raising his index finger, middle finger, and ring finger. However, Germans typically use the thumb, index finger, and middle finger to indicate the number three. The spy thus exposed himself, leading to the death of everyone in the bar in typical Tarantino style.
The moment the SS officer realizes he is not talking to a German
This shows that different countries have different ways of counting on their fingers and of course Chinese-speaking countries have their own way as well. But did you know that you can count all the way to ten on one hand "in Chinese"? Stakes are usually not as high as in the movie, but it's still good to know the right gestures if you plan on going to mainland China or Taiwan. Otherwise, you might accidentally buy way more drinks than you intended.
Don't miss any future articles!
Counting from 1 to 5
Counting from 1 to 5 on one hand is not going to be surprising for most people living in the Americas. However, some Europeans, like French and Germans need to adapt, as counting begins with the index finger instead of the thumb.
The number 6
The number six is represented by sticking out one's thumb and pinky. If you are a surfer, this is an easy one, as it is the same as the shaka sign.
Using the number 666 (pronounced liùliùliù) is a slang term in Chinese meaning "awesome" and does not have the negative connotation it has in the western world. So if someone sends 666 in a Chinese group chat, they think something or someone is awesome. When meeting friends in person, you can use the sign for the number 6 and shake your hand a little to express the same meaning.
The number 7
This is where things get a bit tricky depending on whether you are in mainland China or Taiwan. In mainland China the fingertips touch each other to indicate the number 7. In Taiwan on the other hand, the thumb and index finger are spread out instead.
The number 7 in mainland China
The number 7 in Taiwan
The number 8
Now it gets even trickier because the 8 in mainland China is the same as the 7 in Taiwan. This is definitely something that tripped me up a few times when I went to Taiwan for the first time.
The number 8 in mainland China
The number 8 in Taiwan
Safety notice to the Europeans among you: Make sure not to accidentally buy seven or eight beers instead of two or three 😉
The number 9
And another one where you have to be careful. The gesture used for the number 9 in mainland China actually means "death" in Taiwan. So if you ask about someone and the answer is that gesture, it means that person passed away.
The gesture for number 9 in Taiwan is not as well established. I asked multiple Taiwanese friends how they would indicate a 9 and below is the most common answer.
The number 9 in mainland China
The number 9 in Taiwan
The number 10
Finally, the number 10. There is a one-handed and a two-handed version that you can use in mainland China. The closed fist can also be used for the number 0. The crossed index fingers represent the Chinese character for ten: 十 (shí). This gesture requires two hands but is recognized in both mainland China and Taiwan.
The number 10 or 0 in mainland China
The number 10 in both areas
Closing thoughts
Things are never as easy as they seem at first glance. I think it's super cool that you can count all the way up to ten on one hand "in Chinese", but you really have to be mindful of regional differences. That can be a bit annoying from a Chinese learner's perspective, but doesn't come as a big surprise after knowing that mainland China and Taiwan differ in so many things, like the Chinese characters and the spoken Mandarin.
I hope you learned something new today! Stay curious and see you next time 😇
