Chinese Tongue-twister 四和十 (Sì hé shí) Four and Ten

Tuesday, December 6, 2022


四和十 (Sì hé shí) Four and Ten

Sì shì sì, shí shì shí, shí  sì shì shí sì,   sì shí shì sì shí,
四 是 四, 十 是 十，十 四 是 十 四，四 十 是 四 十，
Four is four, ten is ten, fourteen is fourteen, forty is forty.

shí sì bú shì sì shí ， sì shí bú shì shí sì，
十  四 不 是  四 十  ， 四 十  不 是  十  四
Fourteen is not forty, forty is not fourteen.

First is the number "四" (sì), its pronunciation is a voiced consonant with a clear "s" sound followed by a short, crisp "i" sound. The pronunciation of "四" should be gentle, without too much force.

Next is the number "十" (shí), it starts with the initial consonant "sh". The pronunciation of "十" is a clear "sh" sound followed by a long "i" sound.

Funny Stories Related to the Pronunciation of "Four" and "Ten" in Chinese

The pronunciation of "four" and "ten" in Chinese often leads to some amusing jokes and misunderstandings. For example, once a foreign friend wanted to buy four apples, but his pronunciation wasn't very accurate, and the shopkeeper mistakenly thought he wanted to buy ten apples. As a result, the friend felt very confused because he only needed four, not ten apples.

Another example is when a foreign friend wanted to express how satisfied he was with the service at a restaurant, but he accidentally confused the pronunciation of "four" and "ten." So he said, "I am ten satisfied with your service!" The waiters all laughed because he unexpectedly expressed a high evaluation of the service, but his pronunciation caused a misunderstanding.

  • How many apples do you want?
    你要买几个苹果？
    Nǐ yào mǎi jǐ gè píngguǒ?
  • I want to buy four apples.
    我要买四个苹果。
    Wǒ yào mǎi sì gè píngguǒ.
  • Here are ten apples.
    这是十个苹果。
    Zhè shì shí gè píngguǒ.
  • I want four!
    我要四个！
    Wǒ yào sì gè!
  • Sorry, I misunderstood.
    对不起，我听错了。
    Duìbùqǐ, wǒ tīng cuòle.

Sign up for a free trial now!

FAQ / Tips

Certainly, we offer a complimentary 30 - minute trial lesson for you to experience our services before committing to a purchase.This will allow you to gain a better understanding of our qualified tutors, innovative teaching methods, comprehensive class materials, and more.We are committed to providing you with the highest level of service and ensuring your satisfaction with our courses.
Thank you for choosing Chinese Learning for your language learning needs.If you need to cancel or reschedule a lesson, please do so at least 4 hours ahead of time. To request a cancellation, please send an email to ivy.wang @chineselearning.com or service @chineselearning.com.We appreciate your cooperation and understanding, and we look forward to providing you with the best learning experience possible."
Our learning is different from traditional language learning in a number of ways. Firstly, we use technology to enhance the learning experience and provide personalized learning paths for each student. Secondly, our focus is not just on language proficiency, but also on cultural understanding and practical application of the language.Thirdly, we place a strong emphasis on developing speaking and listening skills, as well as reading and writing.Additionally, we incorporate modern teaching methods and materials, such as multimedia resources and interactive exercises.Finally, our courses are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing students to learn at their own pace and according to their own schedule.
We offer secure and convenient payment options, including PayPal. PayPal is a widely recognized and trusted online payment platform that provides a secure way to make transactions. We also follow industry-standard security protocols to ensure the safety of your personal and financial information.
If you have any questions or concerns, you can send an email to: service @chineselearning.com.We have a team of professionals who will be happy to assist you with any issues as soon as possible.
No, the tuition fees you have paid cover all costs.There are no additional fees or hidden charges. We strive to be transparent and upfront with our pricing, ensuring that our clients receive the best value for their investment.