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Which of these is a common Chinese hand sign for 10?

A closed fist, or crossed index and middle fingers.

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  1. Thumb and little finger up
  2. A closed fist ✔
  3. All five fingers spread

Why: A fist can mean ten, and some people cross the index and middle fingers or make a cross with both index fingers, like the character 十. All five fingers up means five.

Huh, didn't know that: The cross sign copies the character for ten, 十 (shí).

The dad joke
I showed a fist to say ten dumplings. The cook laughed and brought me eleven.
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References

Answer: A closed fist. A fist can mean ten, and some people cross the index and middle fingers or make a cross with both index fingers, like the character 十. All five fingers up means five.

  1. The Open University (OpenLearn), Beginners' Chinese taster course, 4 Basic numbers www.open.edu/openlearn/languages/beginners-chinese-taster-course/content-section-6
    ten or zero: a closed fist.
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  2. The Open University (OpenLearn), Beginners' Chinese taster course, 4 Basic numbers www.open.edu/openlearn/languages/beginners-chinese-taster-course/content-section-6
    Another sign of ten: middle and index fingers (both left hand) crossed over each other.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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