Chinese Vocabulary: Basic Words

Unlock the key Chinese words for everyday communication and travel.

Your Quest to Mastery

1. Study the Vocabulary

Start by reading and listening to the words in the Vocabulary List to build your foundational knowledge.

2. Test Your Knowledge

Play the interactive games to improve your recall, reading, and listening skills.

3. Achieve Mastery

Score highly across all games to master this topic, earn the prestigious Mastery Badge!

Vocabulary List

English Pronunciation
Yes
是的
shi de
No
bu
Maybe
或许
huo xu
Of course
当然
dang ran
My name is
我的名字是
wo de ming zi shi
What is your name?
你叫什么名字?
ni jiao shen me ming zi?
I am 20 years old.
我20岁了。
wo 20 sui le.
I come from…
我来自…
wo lai zi...
Good morning
早上好
zao shang hao
Good afternoon
下午好
xia wu hao
Good evening
晚上好
Wǎnshàng hǎo
How are you?
你好吗?
nǐ hǎo ma?
Thank you!
谢谢你!
xièxiè nǐ!
Thank you very much!
非常感谢!
fēicháng gǎnxiè!
You’re welcome!
不客气!
bù kèqì!
Please
qǐng
Excuse me!
打扰一下!
dǎrǎo yīxià!
Sorry!
对不起!
duìbùqǐ!
What?
什么?
shénme?
Who?
WHO?
WHO?
When?
什么时候?
shénme shíhòu?
Where?
在哪里?
zài nǎlǐ?
Why?
为什么?
wèishénme?
Which?
哪个?
nǎge?
How?
如何?
rúhé?
What time is it?
现在是几奌?
xiànzài shì jǐ diǎn?
Where are you from?
你从哪来?
nǐ cóng nǎ lái?
Where do you live?
你住在哪里?
nǐ zhù zài nǎlǐ?
Can you help me?
你能帮助我吗?
nǐ néng bāngzhù wǒ ma?
Can I help you?
我可以帮你吗?
wǒ kěyǐ bāng nǐ ma?
How much does it cost?
它要多少钱?
Ta yao duo shao qian?
Do you understand?
你明白吗?
Ni ming bai ma?
Can you say that again?
你能再说一遍吗?
Ni neng zai shuo yi bian ma?
Can you speak slowly?
你可以讲慢点吗?
Ni ke yi jiang man dian ma?

Wizard’s Wisdom: Measure Words in Chinese

In Chinese, when counting objects, you must use a specific ‘measure word’ or ‘classifier’. For example, for counting people, you use the measure word 个 (gè). So, instead of saying ‘two shirts’, you would say 两件衬衫 (liǎng jiàn chènshān), where 件 (jiàn) is the measure word for shirts.

Games for Chinese Vocabulary: Basic Words

Was This Lesson Helpful?

Please log in or sign up to rate this lesson. 

Take Your Learning Offline

Want a convenient, print-ready study guide for this lesson? Become a Memory Wizards Pro member to unlock the downloadable " Memory Scrolls" for this topic and our entire library!

  • ✓ Complete Vocabulary Lists
  • ✓ Key Facts & Timelines
  • ✓ Beautifully Formatted for Print & Mobile
Upgrade to Pro

You must be logged in to provide feedback. Please log in or create a free account.

You must be logged in to provide feedback. Please log in or create a free account.

Scroll to Top