Numbers

1. 一、二、三

   It, jī, sann

   One, two, three

   Usage

   Basic Taiwanese counting — the foundation for all numbers

   Grammar Note

   Taiwanese number pronunciation differs from Mandarin: "it", "jī", "sann" are distinct tones

2. 四、五、六

   Sì, gōo, la̍k

   Four, five, six

   Usage

   Taiwanese numbers four through six

   Grammar Note

   "Sì" has a falling tone. "La̍k" (six) has a distinctive checked tone unlike Mandarin

3. 七、八、九、十

   Tshit, peh, káu, tsa̍p

   Seven, eight, nine, ten

   Usage

   Taiwanese numbers seven through ten, completing the base set

   Grammar Note

   "Tshit", "peh", and "tsa̍p" all have checked (short stop) tones, characteristic of Min Nan

4. 一百

   Tsi̍t-pah

   One hundred

   Usage

   The number 100, commonly used in prices and quantities

   Grammar Note

   "Tsi̍t" undergoes tone sandhi before classifiers. "Pah" (hundred) is a checked tone

5. 一千

   Tsi̍t-tshing

   One thousand

   Usage

   The number 1000, used for larger prices or amounts

   Grammar Note

   "Tshing" (thousand) differs significantly from Mandarin "qiān," a hallmark of Min Nan

6. 半

   Puànn

   Half

   Usage

   Expressing half, used for time (half past), quantities, and portions

   Grammar Note

   "Puànn" alone means half. "Sann-tiám-puànn" means three thirty (3:30)

7. 幾个？

   Kuí-ê?

   How many?

   Usage

   Ask how many of something when the quantity is unknown

   Grammar Note

   "Ê" is the general classifier in Taiwanese. "Kuí" is the question word for uncertain quantity

8. 兩个

   Nn̄g-ê

   Two (items)

   Usage

   Count two of something; commonly used when ordering or buying

   Grammar Note

   "Nn̄g" replaces "jī" (two) before classifiers, similar to "two" vs "a couple" in English

9. 第一

   Tē-it

   First

   Usage

   Indicate the first in a sequence, also used to mean "number one / the best"

   Grammar Note

   Placing "tē" before a number creates an ordinal. Equivalent to English -st/-nd/-rd/-th

10. 空

    Khòng

    Zero

    Usage

    The number zero, used in phone numbers and other numeric contexts

    Grammar Note

    Taiwanese reads zero as "khòng" (空) in phone numbers and addresses; the numeral 零 is read lîng

11. 我二十七歲

    Guá jī-tsa̍p-tshit huè

    I'm 27 years old

    Usage

    Answering when someone asks "Lí kuí huè?" (how old are you?)

    Grammar Note

    Age is "number + 歲" with no copula. 歲 has the readings huè and hè; both are correct regional variants

12. 我今年二十八歲

    Guá kin-nî jī-tsa̍p-peh huè

    I turn 28 this year

    Usage

    Saying that your birthday falls within this year, so your age changes

    Grammar Note

    Taiwanese says "kin-nî + number + huè" for "I turn N this year"; no verb for "become" is used. Same "number + 歲" frame as "I gōo-hè" (he is five)

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