Logic of Ten Slides Logic of Ten
The Structure of Mandarin Numerals
Lesson 01 Unit: Numerical Contexts
Today's Objectives
Master the Base-10 logical structure of Mandarin numbers 0-99.
Correctly perform traditional hand gestures for numbers 1-10.
Develop immediate auditory recognition for numerical values.
The Essential Ten
一 yī (1)
二 èr (2)
三 sān (3)
四 sì (4)
五 wǔ (5)
六 liù (6)
七 qī (7)
八 bā (8)
九 jiǔ (9)
十 shí (10)
Linguistic Mathematics
Teens (11-19)
10 + [Unit]
十 + 三 = 十三
shí + sān = shísān (13)
Tens (20, 30...)
[Unit] + 10
三 + 十 = 三十
sān + shí = sānshí (30)
Putting it together:
四十七
sìshíqī
(4 x 10 + 7) = 47
Gestural Literacy
In China, 1-10 can be communicated with one hand.
☝️
1
✌️
2
🤟
3
✋
4
🖐️
5
🤙
6
"Hang Loose"
👌
7
Pinch Down
🔫
8
L-shape
☝️
9
Hooked Finger
✊
10
Fist (or 🤞)
Audio Reflex
Listen closely. When you hear a number, perform the corresponding hand gesture immediately.
01
Listen
02
Process
03
Gesture
Logic and Gestures Worksheet Numerical Logic & Gestures
Numerical Contexts | Lesson 01
NAME:
DATE:
1
Gestural Literacy
Observe the hand gesture descriptions below and write the corresponding Chinese numeral (Character) and Pinyin.
Gesture A:
Thumb and pinky extended; others curled. (Like "Hang Loose")
Pinyin
Gesture B:
Index and middle finger extended in an "L" shape. (Like a "pistol")
Pinyin
Gesture C:
All fingers pinched together, pointing downward.
Pinyin
Gesture D:
Index finger hooked into a curve.
Pinyin
2
Linguistic Architecture
Deconstruct the following composite numbers using the Base-10 logic. Write the full Chinese characters and Pinyin.
18
Logic: (10 + 8)
30
Logic: (3 x 10)
52
Logic: (5 x 10 + 2)
89
Logic: (8 x 10 + 9)
99
Logic: (9 x 10 + 9)
3
Audio Recognition Matrix
Fill the grid with any random numbers between 0-99. As the instructor calls out numbers in Mandarin, mark them off. First to a vertical/horizontal/diagonal line wins.
Logic of Ten Answer Key Logic of Ten Answer Key
Numerical Contexts | Teacher Resource
TEACHER USE ONLY
1. Gestural Literacy Answers
Gesture A (Hang Loose):
六 (liù)
Number: 6
Gesture B (Pistol/L):
八 (bā)
Number: 8
Gesture C (Pinch):
七 (qī)
Number: 7
Gesture D (Hook):
九 (jiǔ)
Number: 9
2. Linguistic Architecture Answers
Num Logic Character Pinyin 18 10 + 8 十八 shíbā 30 3 x 10 三十 sānshí 52 5 x 10 + 2 五十二 wǔshí'èr 89 8 x 10 + 9 八十九 bāshíjiǔ 99 9 x 10 + 9 九十九 jiǔshíjiǔ
3. Bingo Call Script (Suggested)
Call these out in a random order to challenge students' auditory recognition:
47 sìshíqī
13 shísān
60 liùshí
25 èrshíwǔ
78 qīshíbā
92 jiǔshí'èr
5 wǔ
100 yībǎi
Temporal Syntax Slides Temporal Syntax
Macro to Micro: Ordering Time
Lesson 02
The Golden Rule
"Chinese logic always moves from the Largest unit to the Smallest."
Year Nián
Month Yuè
Day Rì/Hào
Time Diǎn
Building the Date
The Year (年 nián)
Years are read digit by digit, followed by "nián".
2026年 èr líng èr liù nián
The Month (月 yuè)
Simple: Number + yuè
January: 一月
October: 十月
Today is:
2026年 1月 17日
èr líng èr liù nián, yī yuè, shí qī rì
Formal: 日 (rì)
Spoken: 号 (hào)
Telling Time: The Basics
点 (diǎn) = O'Clock
3:00 → 三点 (sān diǎn)
分 (fēn) = Minutes
3:10 → 三点十分 (sān diǎn shí fēn)
The "2" Rule
When saying "2 o'clock", use 两 (liǎng) instead of 二 (èr).
两点 (liǎng diǎn)
AM vs PM: Time Modifiers
Place these at the START of the time phrase.
上午 (shàngwǔ)
Morning (Before Noon)
中午 (zhōngwǔ)
Noon (12:00-13:00)
下午 (xiàwǔ)
Afternoon (After 1:00 PM)
下午 三点 二十分
(Afternoon + 3 + O'clock + 20 + Minutes) = 3:20 PM
Mission: Sequence
You have 5 chaotic travel events. Your task: Order them chronologically and write the correct Mandarin time string for each.
Check your worksheets for the full event list!
Itinerary Fixer Activity The Chaotic Itinerary
Temporal Syntax | Activity 02
TRAVELER:
DATE:
URGENT MESSAGE
Your flight to Shanghai has been moved, and your calendar has synced incorrectly. The following events are in the wrong order and use Western formatting. Reorder them chronologically and write the full Chinese Temporal String (Year-Month-Day-AM/PM-Time) for each.
Scrambled Data (Input)
A. Dinner with CEO (6:30 PM, March 14, 2026) ID: 001
B. Hotel Check-out (11:00 AM, March 14, 2026) ID: 002
C. Factory Tour (9:15 AM, March 15, 2026) ID: 003
D. Landing in Pudong (2:45 PM, March 13, 2026) ID: 004
E. Boarding Bullet Train (8:00 AM, March 13, 2026) ID: 005
Reordered Itinerary (Output)
1
EVENT:
CHINESE SYNTAX:
2
EVENT:
CHINESE SYNTAX:
3
EVENT:
CHINESE SYNTAX:
4
EVENT:
CHINESE SYNTAX:
Digital Connections Slides Digital Connections
Exchanging Contact Information
Lesson 03
Reading Phone Numbers
Phone numbers in Mandarin are read digit by digit.
138 - 5555 - 0987
The Critical Exception: "1"
When reading a "1" in a series of digits (like phone numbers or room numbers), it is read as yāo instead of "yī".
Asking the Question
Scenario: Phone
你的电话号码是多少？
Nǐ de diànhuà hàomǎ shì duōshǎo?
(What is your phone number?)
Vocabulary:
电话 (diànhuà) - Telephone
号码 (hàomǎ) - Number
Scenario: WeChat
你的微信是什么？
Nǐ de Wēixìn shì shénme?
(What is your WeChat ID?)
Vocabulary:
微信 (Wēixìn) - WeChat
加 (jiā) - Add (someone)
Electronic Mail Syntax
student_01 @ university . edu
@
艾特 (ài tè)
"at"
.
点 (diǎn)
"dot"
电子邮件 (diànzǐ yóujiàn) — Email
Network Nexus
60
Seconds Per Peer
100%
Mandarin Only
3
Pieces of Info
"Listen carefully for the 'Yāo'!"
Network Nexus Log Network Nexus Log
Digital Connections | Simulation 03
MY INFO:
Simulation Protocol
In this speed-friending simulation, you must record the contact details of five peers. You have 60 seconds per encounter. You may only communicate in Mandarin. Focus on the yāo vs yī distinction for phone numbers.
CONTACT 01
NAME:
PHONE:
WECHAT:
EMAIL:
CONTACT 02
NAME:
PHONE:
WECHAT:
EMAIL:
CONTACT 03
NAME:
PHONE:
WECHAT:
EMAIL:
CONTACT 04
NAME:
PHONE:
WECHAT:
EMAIL:
Essential Question
你的...是多少/是什么？
Reminder
Number 1 is read as "yāo" in phone numbers.
Digital Symbol
@ = 艾特 (ài tè)
. = 点 (diǎn)
Market Dynamics Slides Market Dynamics
Currency, Prices, & The Art of the Deal
Lesson 04
Renminbi (人民币)
Official Term: 元 (yuán)
Used in formal contexts, writing, and price tags.
100 元 yībǎi yuán
Colloquial Term: 块 (kuài)
Used in daily speech and market bargaining.
100 块 yībǎi kuài
¥
The People's Currency
The Price Query
这个 多少 钱？
Zhège duōshǎo qián?
(How much is this?)
Analysis:
这个 (zhège) : This one多少 (duōshǎo) : How many/much钱 (qián) : Money
Response Example:
五十块 (Wǔshí kuài)
50 RMB
讲价 (jiǎngjià): Bargaining
Bargaining is a social exchange. Always start low and smile.
Essential Phrases
太贵了！(Tài guì le!) Too expensive!
便宜一点。 (Piányí yīdiǎn.) Cheaper, a bit.
行不行？ (Xíng bù xíng?) Is it okay? (Accept?)
Negotiation Strategy
Ask for the initial price.
Offer 50% of the price.
Perform "The Walkaway" if needed.
Find the "Middle Ground."
Silk Market Simulation
In the next 20 minutes, you will enter the virtual 'Silk Market'. Half are vendors, half are buyers. Buyers have a budget of 200 RMB.
Goal: Buy 3 items for the lowest price possible.
Market Negotiation Guide Silk Market Negotiation
Market Dynamics | Simulation 04
ROLE:
Buyer Mission
Budget: 200 RMB (Total)
Goal: Purchase 3 distinct items.
Strategy: Never accept the first price. Aim for 50-70% of the initial ask.
Vendor Mission
Goal: Maximize profit per item.
Ask: Start at least 3x your cost price.
Strategy: Emphasize "high quality" and "special discount for you."
Bargaining Kit
太贵了！ (Tài guì le!)
Too expensive!
便宜一点。 (Piányí yīdiǎn.)
Make it cheaper.
不行。 (Bù xíng.)
No/Won't work.
你看。 (Nǐ kàn.)
You see (Look here).
给您钱。 (Gěi nín qián.)
Here is the money (payment).
Transaction Log
Item Name Initial Ask Final Price TOTAL SPENT:
Vendor Item Ideas (Sample Costs):
• Silk Scarf (Cost: 20)
• Jade Pendant (Cost: 45)
• Tea Set (Cost: 60)
• Fan (Cost: 10)
Cultural Logic: The "Walkaway"
In many Chinese markets, if the vendor refuses your price, simply say "Too expensive" and begin to walk away slowly. Most vendors will call you back with a "Better price for you!" This is a standard part of the social script.
Numerical Symbolism Slides 8
Numerical Symbolism
Fortune, Taboo, & Business Logic
Lesson 05
The Power of Sound
"Numerology in China is driven by Homophones — words that sound like other words."
八 (bā)
Sounds like...
发 (fā)
Wealth & Prosperity
四 (sì)
Sounds like...
死 (sǐ)
Death
The Ultimate Lucky Number: 8
Olympic Pride
The 2008 Beijing Olympics began at 08:08:08 PM on 08/08/08.
Digital Value
A phone number ending in 8888-8888 was once sold at auction for over US$280,000.
8
Tetraphobia in Architecture
"Where are the 4th, 14th, and 24th floors?"
Hospitality & Real Estate
Hotels often skip the 4th floor entirely, jumping from 3 to 5.
Aviation
Flight numbers and seat rows ending in '4' are often avoided by airlines in China.
Graduate Discussion:
How does this impact multinational marketing strategies?
Other Notable Symbols
九
9 (jiǔ)
Sounds like 久 (jiǔ)
Symbolizes Longevity and eternity. Associated with the Emperor and Dragons.
六
6 (liù)
Sounds like 流 (liú)
Symbolizes Flow and smoothness. Everything goes well (六六大顺).
Case Analysis
You are a cultural consultant for a Fortune 500 company. Analyze the three business scenarios on your worksheet and provide numerical recommendations.
Strategy is in the numbers.
Numerical Symbolism Case Study Auspicious Analysis
Numerical Symbolism | Case Study 05
CONSULTANT:
CULTURAL CONSULTANCY BRIEF
You are tasked with advising a multinational conglomerate on their market entry into Mainland China. Use your knowledge of numerical homophones to provide strategic recommendations for the following scenarios.
Scenario A: The Luxury High-Rise
Your client is developing a 48-story luxury apartment complex in Shenzhen. They are concerned about the "saleability" of units on specific floors and the numbering of the building itself.
1. Identify the "Problem Floors" and explain the linguistic reasoning:
2. Suggest a creative numbering strategy to maximize occupancy without losing floor space:
Scenario B: Corporate Branding
A new tech startup, "CloudConnect," is choosing a corporate headquarters phone number. They have three options from the service provider:
A: 138-4444-4944
B: 138-6688-6688
C: 138-9911-9911
Recommendation & Justification (Analyze the symbols of each):
Scenario C: Retail Pricing
A luxury watch brand is launching a "Limited Prosperity Edition." The production cost is 6,000 RMB. They want a retail price that feels "auspicious" yet premium.
Propose three different "Auspicious Price Points" and explain the symbolic value of each:
