40 in Chinese
Nearby Chinese Numbers
40 in Other Languages
About 40 in Chinese
The Chinese word for 40 is 四十. It is pronounced sìshí [xì] in Chinese. The simplified written form is 四十.
Numerically, 40 is an even integer. In Chinese-speaking environments, 40 is the kind of number you'll hear and need to use regularly, from market prices to building floor numbers.
Learning 40 in Chinese is a step toward real communicative confidence. Numbers are unavoidable — they appear in every aspect of daily life, from prices and timetables to addresses and phone calls.
Learning Numbers in Chinese
What makes Chinese numbers challenging
Chinese numbers are logically structured but tonal — each digit must be said with the correct tone or it becomes a different word entirely. The digit 1 (yī, first tone) is replaced by "yāo" in phone numbers and certain contexts. Larger numbers use a different grouping system: Chinese counts in units of 10,000 (万/wàn) rather than 1,000, so one million is "one hundred ten-thousands" (一百万). Measure words (classifiers) are required when counting objects, and different objects need different classifiers.
Tips for learning Chinese numbers
Master the four tones first — they are the foundation of all Chinese number comprehension. Learn 万 (wàn, ten thousand) early, as it is the key to understanding large numbers. Practice with prices and addresses since these are the most common real-world number encounters. Remember that "yāo" replaces "yī" for the digit 1 in phone numbers, room numbers, and other sequences — this is one of the first things textbooks miss.