The Chinese word 十七 (shíqī), meaning "seventeen", is formed through a logical and additive numerical system. It combines the character for ten (十, shí) with the character for seven (七, qī). In this structure, 十 acts as a base multiplier, and the following digit 七 is added to it, literally creating the meaning "ten-seven" or ten plus seven. This pattern is consistent for all numbers from 11 through 19 in Mandarin.