0 in Chinese = 零 (líng)

The number 0 in Chinese is pronounced "ling" (like "ling" in "lingering", with a high level tone), written in pinyin as "líng", and the character is 零.

Quick Answer

Pronunciation

Líng (零) uses Mandarin's first tone—the "high level tone." Your voice stays high and flat throughout the sound.

Step by step:

1. Start at a high pitch (higher than your normal speaking voice)
2. Hold that pitch steady throughout the entire word
3. Say "ling" as in "lingering" but keep your voice high and flat

Common mistakes:

• Letting your voice drop or rise (it should stay perfectly flat)
• Pronouncing it too softly—the first tone is strong and clear
• Using an English "L" that's too heavy—the Chinese "L" is lighter

The Character 零

The Chinese character 零 is more complex than other number characters, using 13 strokes. It's composed of the rain radical (雨) on top, which gives it a distinctive look.

In traditional Chinese, you'll see the same character 零. This is one number that doesn't differ between simplified and traditional forms.

Cultural Significance

Unlike numbers 4 and 8 which have strong cultural associations, zero is relatively neutral in Chinese culture. However, it has some interesting aspects:

Modern usage: Zero became commonly used in Chinese mathematics after the introduction of Arabic numerals. The character 零 originally meant "drizzle" or "fragmentary."

Special meanings:

• In phone numbers, 零 is clearly pronounced to avoid confusion
• In mathematics and science, it's essential
• 零度 (líng dù) = zero degrees (temperature)

Not traditionally unlucky or lucky: Unlike 4 (unlucky) or 8 (lucky), zero doesn't carry strong superstitious connotations in Chinese culture.

Practical Usage

Phone numbers: When giving phone numbers, each digit is pronounced separately. Zero is always 零 (líng).

Prices:

• 10元 = 十元 (shí yuán), not 一零元
• 101元 = 一百零一元 (yī bǎi líng yī yuán) - note the 零 in the middle
• 100元 = 一百元 (yī bǎi yuán), 零 is omitted when it's just zeros at the end

Times and dates:

• Zero as a time doesn't exist—midnight is 12:00 (十二点) or 00:00 (零点)
• Room 101 = 一零一 (yī líng yī) or 一百零一 (yī bǎi líng yī)

Temperature:

• 0°C = 零度 (líng dù)
• Below zero = 零下 (líng xià)

Regional Variations

The pronunciation of 零 (líng) remains consistent across Mandarin-speaking regions, but other Chinese dialects have their own pronunciations:

Cantonese: ling⁴ (sounds similar but with a different tone) Hokkien/Taiwanese: lêng Shanghainese: lin

If you're in mainland China, Taiwan, or Singapore speaking Mandarin, stick with líng.

Common Phrases with 0

零零星星 (líng líng xīng xīng): Scattered, sporadic, in bits and pieces

零售 (líng shòu): Retail (literally "fragmentary sale")

零件 (líng jiàn): Parts, components, spare parts

零钱 (líng qián): Small change, loose coins

零食 (líng shí): Snacks (literally "fragmentary food")

Quick Takeaways

• 0 in Chinese is 零 (líng) with a high flat first tone
• It's pronounced like "ling" in "lingering" but with a steady high pitch
• The character uses 13 strokes and includes the rain radical
• Zero is culturally neutral—not lucky or unlucky
• When saying numbers like 101, you must include 零 in the middle
• Proper tone is essential—the flat high tone distinguishes it from other sounds

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If you're in China and need to hear how zero sounds in context with other numbers, TravelNum shows you exactly how any number is pronounced in Chinese.