34.1 Numbers III (Larger Numbers)

For 100, 200, 300, etc., we say 一 jat1 to 九 gau2 and then 百 baak3 (the place value for hundreds).

For 1000, 2000, 3000, etc., we say 一 jat1 to 九 gau2 and then 千 cin1 (the place value for thousands).

For 10000, 20000, 30000, etc., we say 一 jat1 to 九 gau2 and then 萬 maan6 (the place value for ten thousands).

Note that we usually use 兩 loeng5 for ‘two’ only when it is the first digit of a number (i.e., no other digits come before it).

Also, note that although we can put 二 ji6 or 兩 loeng5 before 百 baak3, 千 cin1 and 萬 maan6, we only put 二 ji6 but not 兩 loeng5 before 十 sap6 (the place value for tens).

We say a number from the leftmost digit to the rightmost digit. We insert the corresponding place value after each digit, except the ones digit (the last digit), which is not followed by a place value.

When there is a zero (0) between other digits (1 to 9), we need to say 零 ling4 for the zero.

If there are consecutive zeros (00, 000, etc.), we say 零 ling4 only once.

We don’t need to say a zero if it is not followed by other digits (1 to 9).

When there is another digit before 10, 11, 12, etc., we say 一十 jat1 sap6 instead of 十 sap6.

Note that when there is no digit before 10, 11, 12, etc., we say 十 sap6 instead.

In Grammar and Vocabulary 12.1, we learned that we can use the contracted forms of the tens digits (e.g., 廿 jaa6 for 20, 卅呀 saa1 aa6 for 30) when the tens digit is followed by a ones digit other than zero (1 to 9) or a classifier. When saying numbers larger than 99, we can also use these contracted forms. However, we don’t usually say 廿 jaa6 for 20 when the ones digit is zero even if it is followed by a classifier. Also, as the number gets larger, we tend to say it without contracted forms.

We can also contract 一十 jat1 sap6 to 一呀 jat1 aa6 when it is followed by a ones digit other than 0 (1 to 9) or a classifier.

For longer numbers, we sometimes say them without the place values (萬 maan6, 百 baak3, 千 cin1, 十 sap6, etc.) so that they are easier to understand.

Note that when saying a number this way, we will say every zero.