The 10 Most Common Chinese Words: Essential Vocabulary for Beginners

If you’re just starting to learn Chinese, diving into thousands of characters can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry! Just like in any language, a small set of common words can go a long way. Learning these basic Chinese words will help you hold simple conversations and understand daily interactions. Let’s explore the 10 most common Chinese words, complete with example sentences to help you grasp their usage.

1. 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) – Hello

One of the first words every Chinese learner encounters is “你好” (nǐ hǎo). It’s the standard way to greet someone and is used in both casual and formal settings.

Example sentence:

• A: 你好! (Nǐ hǎo!) – Hello!
• B: 你好! (Nǐ hǎo!) – Hi!

It’s polite, simple, and universally understood—perfect for greeting friends, colleagues, or strangers.

2. 谢谢 (Xièxie) – Thank you

“谢谢” (xièxie) is the essential phrase for expressing gratitude. Politeness is key in Chinese culture, and this word is widely used, whether you’re in a taxi, restaurant, or store.

Example sentence:

• A: 这是你的咖啡。(Zhè shì nǐ de kāfēi.) – Here’s your coffee.
• B: 谢谢! (Xièxie!) – Thank you!

3. 是 (Shì) – Yes/To be

“是” (shì) is one of the most versatile words in Chinese. It can mean “yes,” and it’s also the verb “to be.” It’s used when confirming information or agreeing with someone.

Example sentence:

• A: 你是学生吗? (Nǐ shì xuéshēng ma?) – Are you a student?
• B: 是，我是学生。(Shì, wǒ shì xuéshēng.) – Yes, I’m a student.

Notice that “是” serves as both an answer and a part of the sentence structure when saying “I am.”

4. 不 (Bù) – No/Not

“不” (bù) is the main way to say “no” or negate something in Chinese. You’ll find it used in front of verbs to express a negative or opposite meaning.

Example sentence:

• A: 你喜欢咖啡吗? (Nǐ xǐhuan kāfēi ma?) – Do you like coffee?
• B: 不，我不喜欢。(Bù, wǒ bù xǐhuan.) – No, I don’t like it.

This word is extremely important for forming negative statements.

5. 好 (Hǎo) – Good

“好” (hǎo) is the word for “good” and it’s widely used to describe things, agree to something, or even express approval. You’ll often hear it when people are agreeing with a plan.

Example sentence:

• A: 我们下午去看电影，好吗？(Wǒmen xiàwǔ qù kàn diànyǐng, hǎo ma?) – Let’s go watch a movie this afternoon, okay?
• B: 好！(Hǎo!) – Good/Alright!

You’ll hear this in many situations where “okay” or “yes” might be used in English.

This is just the start! Learning these foundational words will allow you to understand and be understood in everyday conversations in Chinese.

6. 了 (le) – Past Tense Marker

“了” (le) is a particle used to indicate a change in status or to mark the completion of an action. For beginners, it’s essential to understand that “了” doesn’t mean “past” on its own but shows that something has happened.
Example sentence:

• 我吃饭了。(Wǒ chī fàn le.) – I have eaten.

7. 对 (duì) – Correct

“对” (duì) is commonly used to say “correct” or “yes” when confirming something. It’s a straightforward and highly useful word in daily conversations.
Example sentence:

• 你说得对。(Nǐ shuō de duì.) – What you said is correct.

8. 怎么 (zěnme) – How

“怎么” (zěnme) is used to ask “how” in Mandarin. It’s an incredibly handy word when you want to learn how to do something or inquire about methods.
Example sentence:

• 这个怎么做？(Zhège zěnme zuò?) – How do you do this?

9. 喜欢 (xǐhuān) – Like

“喜欢” (xǐhuān) is the Mandarin word for “like.” It’s useful when expressing your preferences or feelings about things, people, or activities.
Example sentence:

• 我喜欢听音乐。(Wǒ xǐhuān tīng yīnyuè.) – I like listening to music.

10. 要 (yào) – Want

“要” (yào) means “to want” or “to need.” It can also be used when ordering food or expressing a desire for something.
Example sentence:

我要一杯咖啡。(Wǒ yào yì bēi kāfēi.) – I want a cup of coffee.

11. 对不起 (Duìbuqǐ) – Sorry

If you ever need to apologize or show regret, “对不起” is the phrase to use. This word can be used in a wide variety of situations, from small inconveniences to more serious apologies.

Example sentence:
对不起，我迟到了。(Duìbuqǐ, wǒ chídào le.) – Sorry, I’m late.

12. 没关系 (Méiguānxi) – It’s okay

Often paired with “对不起,” the phrase “没关系” is a polite response meaning “it’s okay” or “no problem.” It’s a great word to ease tension or tell someone not to worry.

Example sentence:
没关系，你不用担心。(Méiguānxi, nǐ bùyòng dānxīn.) – It’s okay, you don’t need to worry.

13. 多少钱 (Duōshǎo qián) – How much?

When shopping or buying something, knowing how to ask “how much” is crucial. “多少钱” is the go-to phrase when you need to inquire about prices, whether in a store, market, or taxi.

Example sentence:
这个多少钱？(Zhège duōshǎo qián?) – How much is this?

14. 可以 (Kěyǐ) – Can, may

This versatile word is used to express permission or ability. You’ll use “可以” to ask or grant permission, making it a handy word to know in everyday interactions.

Example sentence:
我可以进去吗？(Wǒ kěyǐ jìnqù ma?) – Can I go in?

These common Chinese words are your building blocks for basic conversation. From saying hello to expressing gratitude, mastering them will greatly enhance your interactions in China. Happy learning!