PMT #51: Mastering 零

🌀 Pearls of Mandarin: Translation #51

Hello Mandarin Enthusiasts! 🌟

In this week’s CGG #52 lesson, we explored when and where to place 零 in numbers. While it might seem tricky at first, mastering just four simple rules makes it much easier.

Now, it’s time to put those rules into practice! With today’s translation exercises, you’ll get hands-on experience and build confidence using 零 correctly in different contexts.

Recap of CGG #52 lesson

• Zero in the Middle of a Number: Use 零 (líng) to fill gaps between place values (like hundred and units), but skip the missing units like 十 (shí), 百 (bǎi), or 千 (qiān).

• Zeroes in a Row: Even if multiple zeroes appear consecutively in the middle of a number, only say 零 (líng) once.

• Skipping 零 at the End of a Number: Do not add 零 (líng) if the number ends in zero.

• No 零 Between Groups of 4 Digits: In large numbers split into groups of 4 digits, omit 零 at the end of a group. Only use 零 to fill gaps within a group or connect two groups when digits are missing.

Today’s Exercises

Translate these English sentences into Mandarin:

Easy

1. This pair of shoes costs 108 yuan.

2. There are 1,006 people in the stadium.

Intermediate

3. The rent for this office is 1,800 yuan per month.

4. The total weight of the shipment is 1,040 kilograms.

Advanced

5. The area of this forest is 3,009 square kilometers.

6. In 10,000,250 seconds, how many hours is that?

Take your time, and remember: practicing will help you sound more natural and confident in your Mandarin conversations. You’ve got this! 💫

🌀 Translation #1

This pair of shoes costs 108 yuan.

The number 108 bridges hundreds and single digits, requiring 零 to mark the gap where tens would be.

📚 Structure: [Hundreds] + 零 + [Units]

Let’s break down the translation:

• 这 (zhè) means “this”

• 双 (shuāng) is the measure word for pairs

• 鞋子 (xiézi) means “shoes”

• 一百零八 (yībǎi líng bā) means 108

  • 一百 for 100

  • 零 connects to the final digit

  • 八 for 8

• 块 (kuài) is the colloquial measure word for yuan

Notes

• Don’t say 一百八: you must include 零 between 百 and 八 so that there is no possible confusion with 180

• Avoid formal 元 (yuán) in casual conversation about prices

Recap

• 这双鞋子一百零八块。

• 这 / 双 / 鞋子 / 一百零八 / 块。

• zhè shuāng xiézi yībǎi líng bā kuài

• This pair of shoes costs 108 yuan.

• this / pair / shoes / one-hundred-zero-eight / yuan

Audio Recordings

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🌀 Translation #2

There are 1,006 people in the stadium.