Alphabets › Chinese
Chinese · Chinese characters
Chinese Alphabet
Chinese is written in characters, each one a syllable with its own meaning. Start with the sounds: pinyin is the official Latin spelling of Mandarin (not a script of its own), used by learners and on phones in mainland China; zhuyin, or bopomofo, is a set of 37 phonetic symbols used mainly in Taiwan, the closest thing Chinese has to Japanese kana. Then come the characters by frequency: the 100 most common, then 101–250, in the order of Jun Da's Modern Chinese Character Frequency List (approximate). The themed packs after them (numbers, people, verbs…, every HSK 1 character, signs & travel) are another way in, and the radicals are the parts that hint at a character's meaning. A character in two packs shares one progress record. Characters are simplified (mainland) forms; examples are read with their tone changes (一个 yí gè, 不是 bú shì).
Pinyin Chart · HSK 1 Chart
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Pinyin: initials
bboinitial · like the p in 'spy': no puff of air爸爸 (bàba) dad
ppoinitial · p with a strong puff of air朋友 (péngyou) friend
mmoinitial · m妈妈 (māma) mum
ffoinitial · f饭 (fàn) meal
ddeinitial · like the t in 'stop': no puff of air大 (dà) big
tteinitial · t with a strong puff of air他 (tā) he
nneinitial · n你 (nǐ) you
lleinitial · l来 (lái) to come
ggeinitial · like the k in 'skin': no puff of air哥哥 (gēge) older brother
kkeinitial · k with a strong puff of air看 (kàn) to look
hheinitial · a throaty h, a softer version of the ch in Scottish 'loch'好 (hǎo) good
jjiinitial · like j in 'jeep', tongue flat behind the lower teeth, no puff家 (jiā) home
qqiinitial · like ch in 'cheap' with a puff of air, tongue flat; never 'kw'去 (qù) to go
xxiinitial · between s and sh, tongue flat小 (xiǎo) small
zhzhiinitial · like j in 'judge' with the tongue curled back中国 (Zhōngguó) China
chchiinitial · like ch in 'church' with a puff, tongue curled back茶 (chá) tea
shshiinitial · like sh in 'shirt', tongue curled back是 (shì) to be
rriinitial · between English r and the s in 'pleasure'人 (rén) person
zziinitial · like ds in 'beds'在 (zài) at
cciinitial · like ts in 'cats', with a puff of air菜 (cài) dish
ssiinitial · s三 (sān) three
yyiinitial · y (how i is written at the start of a syllable)一 (yī) one
wwuinitial · w (how u is written at the start of a syllable)五 (wǔ) five
Pinyin: finals
aafinal · a as in 'father'大 (dà) big
oofinal · o as in 'more'; after b p m f it sounds 'wo'我 (wǒ) I
eefinal · like 'uh' said with the lips spread饿 (è) hungry
iifinal · ee as in 'see'; after z c s zh ch sh r a buzzing, r-like vowel你 (nǐ) you · 是 (shì) to be
uufinal · oo as in 'food'五 (wǔ) five
üüfinal · ee with rounded lips, like German ü; written u after j q x y鱼 (yú) fish · 去 (qù) to go
aiaifinal · like 'eye'爱 (ài) love
eieifinal · like ay in 'say'美 (měi) beautiful
aoaofinal · like ow in 'cow'好 (hǎo) good
ououfinal · like o in 'go'狗 (gǒu) dog
ananfinal · 'ahn'三 (sān) three
enenfinal · like un in 'taken'门 (mén) door
angangfinal · 'ahng'忙 (máng) busy
engengfinal · like ung in 'lung'冷 (lěng) cold
ongongfinal · 'oong'中 (zhōng) middle
ererfinal · like American 'are'二 (èr) two
ieiefinal · 'yeh'谢谢 (xièxie) thank you
iuiufinal · 'yo' (short for iou)六 (liù) six
uiuifinal · 'way' (short for uei)对 (duì) correct
uouofinal · 'waw'多 (duō) many
ianianfinal · 'yen', not 'yan'钱 (qián) money
ininfinal · 'een'您 (nín) you (polite)
ingingfinal · like ing in 'sing'星期 (xīngqī) week
ununfinal · 'wun'; after j q x y it is ün春 (chūn) spring
Pinyin: tones
mā1st tonehigh and level (mark ¯)妈 (mā) mum
má2nd tonerising, like a surprised 'what?' (mark ˊ)麻 (má) numb; hemp
mǎ3rd tonelow and dipping; often just low (mark ˇ)马 (mǎ) horse
mà4th tonefalling sharply, like a firm 'No!' (mark ˋ)骂 (mà) to scold
maneutral toneshort and light, no mark吗 (ma) question word
Zhuyin (Bopomofo)
ㄅbzhuyin initial · pinyin b爸 ㄅㄚˋ (bà) dad (Taiwan writes traditional characters)
ㄆpzhuyin initial · pinyin p怕 ㄆㄚˋ (pà) to fear
ㄇmzhuyin initial · pinyin m媽 ㄇㄚ (mā) mum
ㄈfzhuyin initial · pinyin f飯 ㄈㄢˋ (fàn) meal
ㄉdzhuyin initial · pinyin d大 ㄉㄚˋ (dà) big
ㄊtzhuyin initial · pinyin t他 ㄊㄚ (tā) he
ㄋnzhuyin initial · pinyin n你 ㄋㄧˇ (nǐ) you
ㄌlzhuyin initial · pinyin l來 ㄌㄞˊ (lái) to come
ㄍgzhuyin initial · pinyin g哥 ㄍㄜ (gē) older brother
ㄎkzhuyin initial · pinyin k看 ㄎㄢˋ (kàn) to look
ㄏhzhuyin initial · pinyin h好 ㄏㄠˇ (hǎo) good
ㄐjzhuyin initial · pinyin j家 ㄐㄧㄚ (jiā) home
ㄑqzhuyin initial · pinyin q去 ㄑㄩˋ (qù) to go
ㄒxzhuyin initial · pinyin x小 ㄒㄧㄠˇ (xiǎo) small
ㄓzhzhuyin initial · pinyin zh中 ㄓㄨㄥ (zhōng) middle
ㄔchzhuyin initial · pinyin ch茶 ㄔㄚˊ (chá) tea
ㄕshzhuyin initial · pinyin sh是 ㄕˋ (shì) to be
ㄖrzhuyin initial · pinyin r人 ㄖㄣˊ (rén) person
ㄗzzhuyin initial · pinyin z在 ㄗㄞˋ (zài) at
ㄘczhuyin initial · pinyin c菜 ㄘㄞˋ (cài) dish
ㄙszhuyin initial · pinyin s三 ㄙㄢ (sān) three
ㄧi / yzhuyin medial or vowel · pinyin i / y一 ㄧ (yī) one
ㄨu / wzhuyin medial or vowel · pinyin u / w五 ㄨˇ (wǔ) five
ㄩü / yuzhuyin medial or vowel · pinyin ü / yu魚 ㄩˊ (yú) fish
ㄚazhuyin final · pinyin a啊 ㄚ (a) ah
ㄛozhuyin final · pinyin o哦 ㄛˊ (ó) oh?
ㄜezhuyin final · pinyin e餓 ㄜˋ (è) hungry
ㄝê (e in ie, üe)zhuyin final · pinyin ê (e in ie, üe)也 ㄧㄝˇ (yě) also
ㄞaizhuyin final · pinyin ai愛 ㄞˋ (ài) love
ㄟeizhuyin final · pinyin ei美 ㄇㄟˇ (měi) beautiful
ㄠaozhuyin final · pinyin ao包 ㄅㄠ (bāo) bag
ㄡouzhuyin final · pinyin ou狗 ㄍㄡˇ (gǒu) dog
ㄢanzhuyin final · pinyin an山 ㄕㄢ (shān) mountain
ㄣenzhuyin final · pinyin en門 ㄇㄣˊ (mén) door
ㄤangzhuyin final · pinyin ang忙 ㄇㄤˊ (máng) busy
ㄥengzhuyin final · pinyin eng冷 ㄌㄥˇ (lěng) cold
ㄦerzhuyin final · pinyin er二 ㄦˋ (èr) two
ˊ2nd tonezhuyin tone mark · rising (the 1st tone has no mark)來 ㄌㄞˊ (lái) to come
ˇ3rd tonezhuyin tone mark · low, dipping你 ㄋㄧˇ (nǐ) you
ˋ4th tonezhuyin tone mark · falling大 ㄉㄚˋ (dà) big
˙neutral tonezhuyin tone mark · written before the syllable嗎 ˙ㄇㄚ (ma) question word
100 most common characters
的de(links owner and thing: 's)我的 (wǒ de) my, mine
一yīone一个 (yí gè) one (of something)
是shìto be (am, is, are)是的 (shì de) yes, that's right
不bùnot, no不是 (bú shì) is not
了le(action done; change)好了 (hǎo le) done, OK now
在zàiat, in; to be (somewhere)在家 (zài jiā) at home
人rénperson中国人 (Zhōngguórén) Chinese person
有yǒuto have; there is没有 (méiyǒu) don't have, there isn't
我wǒI, me我们 (wǒmen) we
他tāhe, him他们 (tāmen) they
这zhèthis这个 (zhège) this one
个gè(general measure word)一个人 (yí gè rén) one person
们men(plural for people)我们 (wǒmen) we
中zhōngmiddle中国 (Zhōngguó) China
来láito come来自 (láizì) to come from
上shàngup, on; previous上午 (shàngwǔ) morning
大dàbig大学 (dàxué) university
为wèi / wéifor; because of / to be, act as为什么 (wèishénme) why
和héand, with我和你 (wǒ hé nǐ) you and me
国guócountry美国 (Měiguó) USA
地dìground; place地图 (dìtú) map
到dàoto arrive; to到了 (dào le) we're here
以yǐ(used in compounds)可以 (kěyǐ) may, OK
说shuōto speak, say说中文 (shuō Zhōngwén) speak Chinese
时shítime; hour时间 (shíjiān) time
要yàoto want; will; need我要这个 (wǒ yào zhège) I want this one
就jiùthen; right away; just就是 (jiù shì) exactly
出chūto go out出口 (chūkǒu) exit
会huìcan (know how to); will会说 (huì shuō) can speak
可kěcan, may可以 (kěyǐ) may, OK
也yěalso, too我也是 (wǒ yě shì) me too
你nǐyou你好 (nǐ hǎo) hello
对duìcorrect; towards对不起 (duìbuqǐ) sorry
生shēngto be born; life; student学生 (xuésheng) student
能néngcan, be able to能不能 (néng bù néng) can or can't?
而érand, but (written)而且 (érqiě) moreover
子zǐchild; (noun ending, said zi)儿子 (érzi) son
那nàthat那里 (nàlǐ) there
得de / dé / děi(links verb + how well) / to get / must跑得快 (pǎo de kuài) run fast
于yúat, in (written)关于 (guānyú) about
着zhe(ongoing action)看着 (kànzhe) looking at
下xiàdown, under; next下午 (xiàwǔ) afternoon
自zìself; from自己 (zìjǐ) oneself
之zhī(written 'of')之后 (zhīhòu) after
年niányear今年 (jīnnián) this year
过guòto pass; (have done)去过 (qù guo) have been to
发fāto send; to issue发现 (fāxiàn) to discover
后hòuback, after以后 (yǐhòu) after, later
作zuòto do, make工作 (gōngzuò) job; to work
里lǐinside这里 (zhèlǐ) here
用yòngto use用手机 (yòng shǒujī) use a phone
道dàoroad, way; to say知道 (zhīdào) to know
行xíng / hángto go; OK / row, firm银行 (yínháng) bank · 行 (xíng) OK
所suǒplace厕所 (cèsuǒ) toilet
然ránso, like that然后 (ránhòu) then, after that
家jiāhome, family回家 (huí jiā) to go home
种zhǒngkind, type这种 (zhè zhǒng) this kind
事shìmatter, thing没事 (méi shì) it's nothing, no problem
成chéngto become; to succeed成功 (chénggōng) success
方fāngsquare; direction地方 (dìfang) place
多duōmany, much多少 (duōshao) how many / how much
经jīngto pass through已经 (yǐjīng) already
么me(question ending)什么 (shénme) what
去qùto go去哪里? (qù nǎlǐ?) where are you going?
法fǎlaw; method办法 (bànfǎ) way, solution
学xuéto study, learn学习 (xuéxí) to study
如rúlike, as; if如果 (rúguǒ) if
都dōuall, both都好 (dōu hǎo) all fine
同tóngsame, together同学 (tóngxué) classmate
现xiànnow; to appear现在 (xiànzài) now
当dāngto serve as; when当然 (dāngrán) of course
没méinot (have)没关系 (méi guānxi) it doesn't matter
动dòngto move运动 (yùndòng) sport, exercise
面miànface; side; noodles面条 (miàntiáo) noodles
起qǐto rise对不起 (duìbuqǐ) sorry
看kànto look, watch, read看书 (kàn shū) read a book
定dìngto fix, decide一定 (yídìng) certainly
天tiānday; sky今天 (jīntiān) today
分fēnminute; cent; to divide五分钟 (wǔ fēnzhōng) five minutes
还hái / huánstill, also / to give back还有 (hái yǒu) there's also
进jìnto enter请进 (qǐng jìn) come in
好hǎogood, well你好 (nǐ hǎo) hello
小xiǎosmall小心 (xiǎoxīn) be careful
部bùpart; department全部 (quánbù) all
其qíits, their (written)其他 (qítā) other
些xiēsome一些 (yìxiē) some
主zhǔmain; owner主要 (zhǔyào) main
样yàngkind, way怎么样? (zěnmeyàng?) how is it?
理lǐreason; to manage经理 (jīnglǐ) manager
心xīnheart, mind小心 (xiǎoxīn) be careful
她tāshe, her她的 (tā de) her, hers
本běn(measure word for books); root一本书 (yì běn shū) a book
前qiánfront, before以前 (yǐqián) before
开kāito open; to drive开门 (kāi mén) to open the door
但dànbut但是 (dànshì) but
因yīncause因为 (yīnwèi) because
只zhǐonly只有 (zhǐyǒu) only
从cóngfrom从…到… (cóng… dào…) from… to…
想xiǎngto think; would like to我想去 (wǒ xiǎng qù) I'd like to go
实shíreal, solid其实 (qíshí) actually
Characters 101–250
日rìday; sun生日 (shēngrì) birthday
军jūnarmy军人 (jūnrén) soldier
者zhě(person who…)记者 (jìzhě) journalist
意yìmeaning; idea意思 (yìsi) meaning
无wúwithout (written)无聊 (wúliáo) boring
力lìstrength, power努力 (nǔlì) to work hard
它tāit它们 (tāmen) they (things, animals)
与yǔand, with (written)与你 (yǔ nǐ) with you
长chánglong长城 (Chángchéng) the Great Wall
把bǎ(moves the object before the verb); handle把门关上 (bǎ mén guānshàng) close the door
机jīmachine手机 (shǒujī) mobile phone
十shíten十二 (shí'èr) twelve
民mínthe people人民 (rénmín) the people
第dì(makes ordinals)第一 (dì yī) first
公gōngpublic公园 (gōngyuán) park
此cǐthis (written)因此 (yīncǐ) therefore
已yǐalready已经 (yǐjīng) already
工gōngwork工作 (gōngzuò) job; to work
使shǐto use; to make (someone do)大使馆 (dàshǐguǎn) embassy
情qíngfeeling; situation事情 (shìqing) matter, thing
明míngbright; next (day/year)明天 (míngtiān) tomorrow
性xìngnature; sex, gender女性 (nǚxìng) female, women
知zhīto know知道 (zhīdào) to know
全quánwhole安全 (ānquán) safe, safety
三sānthree三天 (sān tiān) three days
又yòuagain; also又来了 (yòu lái le) here again
关guānto close, turn off关门 (guān mén) to close the door
点diǎno'clock; a little; dot一点儿 (yìdiǎnr) a little
正zhèngstraight; just now正在 (zhèngzài) in the middle of
业yèbusiness营业时间 (yíngyè shíjiān) opening hours
外wàioutside外国 (wàiguó) foreign country
将jiāngwill (written)将来 (jiānglái) the future
两liǎngtwo (of something)两个人 (liǎng gè rén) two people
高gāotall, high高兴 (gāoxìng) happy, glad
间jiānroom; between房间 (fángjiān) room
由yóufrom; by自由 (zìyóu) freedom
问wènto ask问题 (wèntí) question, problem
很hěnvery很好 (hěn hǎo) very good
最zuìmost最好 (zuì hǎo) best
重zhòng / chóngheavy / again重要 (zhòngyào) important
并bìngand; not at all (with 不)并不 (bìng bù) not at all
物wùthing礼物 (lǐwù) gift
手shǒuhand手机 (shǒujī) mobile phone
应yīngshould应该 (yīnggāi) should
战zhànwar战争 (zhànzhēng) war
向xiàngtowards向左 (xiàng zuǒ) to the left
头tóuhead头疼 (tóuténg) headache
文wénwriting, language中文 (Zhōngwén) Chinese
体tǐbody身体 (shēntǐ) body, health
政zhèngpolitics政府 (zhèngfǔ) government
美měibeautiful美国 (Měiguó) USA
相xiāngeach other相信 (xiāngxìn) to believe
见jiànto see再见 (zàijiàn) goodbye
被bèi(passive 'by'); quilt被偷了 (bèi tōu le) was stolen
利lìbenefit顺利 (shùnlì) smoothly
什shén(in 什么, what)什么 (shénme) what
二èrtwo二月 (èryuè) February
等děngto wait; etc.等一下 (děng yíxià) wait a moment
产chǎnto produce生产 (shēngchǎn) to produce
或huòor或者 (huòzhě) or
新xīnnew新年 (xīnnián) New Year
己jǐself自己 (zìjǐ) oneself
制zhìto make; system制度 (zhìdù) system
身shēnbody身份证 (shēnfènzhèng) ID card
果guǒfruit水果 (shuǐguǒ) fruit
加jiāto add加油 (jiāyóu) come on! / to refuel
西xīwest西边 (xībian) west side
斯sī(used in foreign names)俄罗斯 (Éluósī) Russia
月yuèmonth; moon一月 (yīyuè) January
话huàspeech, words说话 (shuōhuà) to speak
合héto close; to fit合适 (héshì) suitable
回huíto return回家 (huí jiā) to go home
特tèspecial特别 (tèbié) especially
代dàigeneration; to replace现代 (xiàndài) modern
内nèiinside国内 (guónèi) domestic
信xìnletter; to believe信用卡 (xìnyòngkǎ) credit card
表biǎowatch; to show; form手表 (shǒubiǎo) wristwatch
化huàto change; -ize文化 (wénhuà) culture
老lǎoold老师 (lǎoshī) teacher
给gěito give; for给我 (gěi wǒ) give me
世shìworld; generation世界 (shìjiè) the world
位wèi(polite measure word for people); place几位? (jǐ wèi?) how many people? (in a restaurant)
次cìtime, occurrence一次 (yí cì) once
度dùdegree温度 (wēndù) temperature
门méndoor, gate门口 (ménkǒu) entrance
任rènto appoint; any任何 (rènhé) any
常chángoften常常 (chángcháng) often
先xiānfirst, before先生 (xiānsheng) Mr, sir
海hǎisea上海 (Shànghǎi) Shanghai
通tōngto go through交通 (jiāotōng) traffic
教jiào / jiāoto teach教室 (jiàoshì) classroom
儿érchild, son女儿 (nǚ'ér) daughter
原yuánoriginal原来 (yuánlái) originally; so that's it
东dōngeast东西 (dōngxi) thing, stuff
声shēngsound, voice声音 (shēngyīn) sound, voice
提títo lift; to mention提高 (tígāo) to raise
立lìto stand; to set up立刻 (lìkè) immediately
及jíand; to reach来得及 (láidejí) there's still time
比bǐthan; to compare比较 (bǐjiào) relatively
员yuánmember, staff服务员 (fúwùyuán) waiter
解jiěto untie; to explain了解 (liǎojiě) to understand
水shuǐwater水果 (shuǐguǒ) fruit
名míngname名字 (míngzi) name
真zhēnreal, true真的 (zhēn de) really
论lùnto discuss讨论 (tǎolùn) to discuss
处chù / chǔplace / to deal with到处 (dàochù) everywhere
走zǒuto walk; to leave走路 (zǒulù) to walk
义yìmeaning; justice意义 (yìyì) significance
各gèeach各位 (gèwèi) everyone
入rùto enter入口 (rùkǒu) entrance
几jǐhow many; a few几点 (jǐ diǎn) what time?
口kǒumouth; opening出口 (chūkǒu) exit
认rènto recognize认识 (rènshi) to know (someone)
条tiáo(measure word for long things); strip一条鱼 (yì tiáo yú) a fish
平píngflat, level平安 (píng'ān) safe and sound
系xìsystem; to relate没关系 (méi guānxi) it doesn't matter
气qìair; gas; mood天气 (tiānqì) weather
题títopic, question问题 (wèntí) question, problem
活huóto live; lively生活 (shēnghuó) life
尔ěryou (old); (used in foreign names)偶尔 (ǒu'ěr) occasionally
更gèngmore, even more更好 (gèng hǎo) better
别biédon't; other别客气 (bié kèqi) don't mention it
打dǎto hit; to make (a call)打电话 (dǎ diànhuà) to make a phone call
女nǚfemale女人 (nǚrén) woman
变biànto change变化 (biànhuà) change
四sìfour四月 (sìyuè) April
神shéngod, spirit精神 (jīngshen) energy, spirit
总zǒngalways; total总是 (zǒngshì) always
何héwhat (written)如何 (rúhé) how
电diànelectricity电话 (diànhuà) telephone
数shù / shǔnumber / to count数字 (shùzì) number, digit
安ānsafe; calm安全出口 (ānquán chūkǒu) emergency exit
少shǎofew, little多少钱? (duōshao qián?) how much is it?
报bàonewspaper; to report报纸 (bàozhǐ) newspaper
才cáionly then; talent刚才 (gāngcái) just now
结jiéknot; to finish结婚 (jiéhūn) to marry
反fǎnopposite反对 (fǎnduì) to oppose
受shòuto receive; to bear受伤 (shòushāng) to be injured
目mùeye目的 (mùdì) purpose
太tàitoo, so太贵了 (tài guì le) too expensive
量liàngamount数量 (shùliàng) quantity
再zàiagain再见 (zàijiàn) goodbye
感gǎnto feel感冒 (gǎnmào) a cold
建jiànto build建议 (jiànyì) suggestion
务wùaffair, task服务 (fúwù) service
做zuòto do, make做饭 (zuò fàn) to cook
接jiēto receive; to pick up接电话 (jiē diànhuà) to answer the phone
必bìmust必须 (bìxū) must
场chǎngopen area, ground机场 (jīchǎng) airport
件jiàn(measure word for clothes and matters)一件衣服 (yí jiàn yīfu) a piece of clothing
Numbers
一yīone一个 (yí gè) one (of something)
二èrtwo二月 (èryuè) February
三sānthree三天 (sān tiān) three days
四sìfour四月 (sìyuè) April
五wǔfive五块 (wǔ kuài) five yuan
六liùsix六点 (liù diǎn) six o'clock
七qīseven七天 (qī tiān) seven days, a week
八bāeight八月 (bāyuè) August
九jiǔnine九点 (jiǔ diǎn) nine o'clock
十shíten十二 (shí'èr) twelve
零língzero一零一 (yāo líng yāo) 101 (said in room numbers)
百bǎihundred一百 (yìbǎi) one hundred
千qiānthousand一千 (yìqiān) one thousand
万wànten thousand一万 (yíwàn) ten thousand
两liǎngtwo (of something)两个人 (liǎng gè rén) two people
半bànhalf一半 (yíbàn) half
几jǐhow many; a few几点 (jǐ diǎn) what time?
第dì(makes ordinals)第一 (dì yī) first
People & family
人rénperson中国人 (Zhōngguórén) Chinese person
我wǒI, me我们 (wǒmen) we
你nǐyou你好 (nǐ hǎo) hello
您nínyou (polite)您好 (nín hǎo) hello (polite)
他tāhe, him他们 (tāmen) they
她tāshe, her她的 (tā de) her, hers
们men(plural for people)我们 (wǒmen) we
男nánmale男人 (nánrén) man
女nǚfemale女人 (nǚrén) woman
子zǐchild; (noun ending, said zi)儿子 (érzi) son
儿érchild, son女儿 (nǚ'ér) daughter
爸bàdad爸爸 (bàba) dad
妈māmum妈妈 (māma) mum
哥gēolder brother哥哥 (gēge) older brother
姐jiěolder sister姐姐 (jiějie) older sister
弟dìyounger brother弟弟 (dìdi) younger brother
妹mèiyounger sister妹妹 (mèimei) younger sister
朋péngfriend朋友 (péngyou) friend
友yǒufriend朋友 (péngyou) friend
老lǎoold老师 (lǎoshī) teacher
师shīteacher, master老师 (lǎoshī) teacher
生shēngto be born; life; student学生 (xuésheng) student
先xiānfirst, before先生 (xiānsheng) Mr, sir
医yīmedicine, doctor医生 (yīshēng) doctor
Little grammar words
的de(links owner and thing: 's)我的 (wǒ de) my, mine
是shìto be (am, is, are)是的 (shì de) yes, that's right
不bùnot, no不是 (bú shì) is not
了le(action done; change)好了 (hǎo le) done, OK now
在zàiat, in; to be (somewhere)在家 (zài jiā) at home
有yǒuto have; there is没有 (méiyǒu) don't have, there isn't
没méinot (have)没关系 (méi guānxi) it doesn't matter
这zhèthis这个 (zhège) this one
那nàthat那里 (nàlǐ) there
个gè(general measure word)一个人 (yí gè rén) one person
也yěalso, too我也是 (wǒ yě shì) me too
都dōuall, both都好 (dōu hǎo) all fine
就jiùthen; right away; just就是 (jiù shì) exactly
很hěnvery很好 (hěn hǎo) very good
太tàitoo, so太贵了 (tài guì le) too expensive
吗ma(turns a sentence into a yes/no question)好吗? (hǎo ma?) OK?
呢ne(and you? / question softener)你呢? (nǐ ne?) and you?
吧ba(suggestion: let's…)走吧 (zǒu ba) let's go
和héand, with我和你 (wǒ hé nǐ) you and me
要yàoto want; will; need我要这个 (wǒ yào zhège) I want this one
会huìcan (know how to); will会说 (huì shuō) can speak
能néngcan, be able to能不能 (néng bù néng) can or can't?
可kěcan, may可以 (kěyǐ) may, OK
以yǐ(used in compounds)可以 (kěyǐ) may, OK
什shén(in 什么, what)什么 (shénme) what
么me(question ending)什么 (shénme) what
谁shéiwho谁的 (shéi de) whose
哪nǎwhich, where哪里 (nǎlǐ) where
怎zěnhow怎么 (zěnme) how
请qǐngplease; to invite请问 (qǐngwèn) excuse me (may I ask)
谢xièto thank谢谢 (xièxie) thank you
对duìcorrect; towards对不起 (duìbuqǐ) sorry
Everyday verbs
来láito come来自 (láizì) to come from
去qùto go去哪里? (qù nǎlǐ?) where are you going?
说shuōto speak, say说中文 (shuō Zhōngwén) speak Chinese
看kànto look, watch, read看书 (kàn shū) read a book
听tīngto listen听音乐 (tīng yīnyuè) listen to music
吃chīto eat吃饭 (chī fàn) to eat a meal
喝hēto drink喝水 (hē shuǐ) drink water
买mǎito buy买东西 (mǎi dōngxi) to go shopping
卖màito sell卖完了 (mài wán le) sold out
想xiǎngto think; would like to我想去 (wǒ xiǎng qù) I'd like to go
做zuòto do, make做饭 (zuò fàn) to cook
走zǒuto walk; to leave走路 (zǒulù) to walk
坐zuòto sit; to take (a bus, train)坐车 (zuò chē) to take a vehicle
住zhùto live, stay住在 (zhù zài) to live in
用yòngto use用手机 (yòng shǒujī) use a phone
知zhīto know知道 (zhīdào) to know
道dàoroad, way; to say知道 (zhīdào) to know
喜xǐto like; happy喜欢 (xǐhuan) to like
欢huānjoyful欢迎 (huānyíng) welcome
爱àito love我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ) I love you
给gěito give; for给我 (gěi wǒ) give me
找zhǎoto look for找钱 (zhǎo qián) to give change
开kāito open; to drive开门 (kāi mén) to open the door
关guānto close, turn off关门 (guān mén) to close the door
写xiěto write写字 (xiě zì) to write characters
读dúto read aloud, study读书 (dú shū) to study
回huíto return回家 (huí jiā) to go home
问wènto ask问题 (wèntí) question, problem
叫jiàoto be called; to call我叫… (wǒ jiào…) my name is…
学xuéto study, learn学习 (xuéxí) to study
Time & places
年niányear今年 (jīnnián) this year
月yuèmonth; moon一月 (yīyuè) January
日rìday; sun生日 (shēngrì) birthday
天tiānday; sky今天 (jīntiān) today
时shítime; hour时间 (shíjiān) time
点diǎno'clock; a little; dot一点儿 (yìdiǎnr) a little
分fēnminute; cent; to divide五分钟 (wǔ fēnzhōng) five minutes
今jīnnow, this (day/year)今天 (jīntiān) today
明míngbright; next (day/year)明天 (míngtiān) tomorrow
昨zuóyesterday昨天 (zuótiān) yesterday
早zǎoearly; morning早上好 (zǎoshang hǎo) good morning
晚wǎnlate; evening晚上 (wǎnshang) evening
上shàngup, on; previous上午 (shàngwǔ) morning
下xiàdown, under; next下午 (xiàwǔ) afternoon
中zhōngmiddle中国 (Zhōngguó) China
前qiánfront, before以前 (yǐqián) before
后hòuback, after以后 (yǐhòu) after, later
里lǐinside这里 (zhèlǐ) here
外wàioutside外国 (wàiguó) foreign country
左zuǒleft左边 (zuǒbian) left side
右yòuright右边 (yòubian) right side
东dōngeast东西 (dōngxi) thing, stuff
西xīwest西边 (xībian) west side
南nánsouth南方 (nánfāng) the south
北běinorth北京 (Běijīng) Beijing
国guócountry美国 (Měiguó) USA
家jiāhome, family回家 (huí jiā) to go home
京jīngcapital city北京 (Běijīng) Beijing
Things & describing words
大dàbig大学 (dàxué) university
小xiǎosmall小心 (xiǎoxīn) be careful
多duōmany, much多少 (duōshao) how many / how much
少shǎofew, little多少钱? (duōshao qián?) how much is it?
好hǎogood, well你好 (nǐ hǎo) hello
新xīnnew新年 (xīnnián) New Year
高gāotall, high高兴 (gāoxìng) happy, glad
长chánglong长城 (Chángchéng) the Great Wall
快kuàifast快乐 (kuàilè) happy
慢mànslow慢走 (màn zǒu) take care (said to a leaving guest)
热rèhot热水 (rè shuǐ) hot water
冷lěngcold很冷 (hěn lěng) very cold
贵guìexpensive太贵了 (tài guì le) too expensive
水shuǐwater水果 (shuǐguǒ) fruit
火huǒfire火车 (huǒchē) train
山shānmountain爬山 (pá shān) to hike
门méndoor, gate门口 (ménkǒu) entrance
车chēvehicle, car出租车 (chūzūchē) taxi
钱qiánmoney多少钱? (duōshao qián?) how much is it?
饭fàncooked rice; meal米饭 (mǐfàn) cooked rice
茶chátea喝茶 (hē chá) to drink tea
书shūbook书店 (shūdiàn) bookshop
名míngname名字 (míngzi) name
字zìcharacter, word汉字 (Hànzì) Chinese characters
电diànelectricity电话 (diànhuà) telephone
话huàspeech, words说话 (shuōhuà) to speak
口kǒumouth; opening出口 (chūkǒu) exit
出chūto go out出口 (chūkǒu) exit
入rùto enter入口 (rùkǒu) entrance
手shǒuhand手机 (shǒujī) mobile phone
Radicals (building blocks)
亻rénradical: person (side form of 人)你 (nǐ) you · 他 (tā) he · 住 (zhù) to live
口kǒuradical: mouth吃 (chī) to eat · 喝 (hē) to drink · 叫 (jiào) to call
氵shuǐradical: water (three drops)没 (méi) not · 洗 (xǐ) to wash · 海 (hǎi) sea
扌shǒuradical: hand打 (dǎ) to hit · 找 (zhǎo) to look for · 拉 (lā) to pull
木mùradical: tree, wood林 (lín) woods · 桌 (zhuō) table · 椅 (yǐ) chair
艹cǎoradical: grass, plants (on top)茶 (chá) tea · 菜 (cài) vegetable, dish · 花 (huā) flower
女nǚradical: woman妈 (mā) mum · 姐 (jiě) older sister · 好 (hǎo) good
讠yánradical: speech (side form of 言)说 (shuō) to speak · 话 (huà) words · 请 (qǐng) please
忄xīnradical: heart, feeling (side form of 心)快 (kuài) fast · 慢 (màn) slow · 怕 (pà) to fear
心xīnradical: heart, mind (at the bottom)想 (xiǎng) to think · 您 (nín) you (polite) · 忘 (wàng) to forget
日rìradical: sun, day明 (míng) bright · 早 (zǎo) early · 时 (shí) time
月yuèradical: moon; also flesh, body朋 (péng) friend · 脸 (liǎn) face · 胖 (pàng) fat
土tǔradical: earth, soil地 (dì) ground · 在 (zài) at · 场 (chǎng) field, square
辶chuòradical: walking, movement这 (zhè) this · 进 (jìn) to enter · 还 (hái) still
钅jīnradical: metal, gold (side form of 金)钱 (qián) money · 钟 (zhōng) clock · 银 (yín) silver
火huǒradical: fire灯 (dēng) lamp · 炒 (chǎo) to stir-fry · 烧 (shāo) to burn
灬huǒradical: fire (four dots at the bottom)热 (rè) hot · 点 (diǎn) dot, o'clock · 照 (zhào) to shine
宀miánradical: roof家 (jiā) home · 字 (zì) character · 安 (ān) peace
纟sīradical: silk, thread红 (hóng) red · 给 (gěi) to give · 线 (xiàn) thread, line
饣shíradical: food (side form of 食)饭 (fàn) meal · 饿 (è) hungry · 饺 (jiǎo) dumpling
门ménradical: door, gate问 (wèn) to ask · 间 (jiān) room · 闻 (wén) to smell
目mùradical: eye看 (kàn) to look · 眼 (yǎn) eye · 睡 (shuì) to sleep
足zúradical: foot (side form ⻊)跑 (pǎo) to run · 路 (lù) road · 跳 (tiào) to jump
车chēradical: vehicle辆 (liàng) measure word for cars · 转 (zhuǎn) to turn · 轮 (lún) wheel
贝bèiradical: shell, money贵 (guì) expensive · 买 (mǎi) to buy · 货 (huò) goods
疒nèradical: sickness病 (bìng) illness · 疼 (téng) to hurt · 痛 (tòng) pain
犭quǎnradical: animal (side form of 犬, dog)狗 (gǒu) dog · 猫 (māo) cat · 猪 (zhū) pig
礻shìradical: spirit, ritual (side form of 示)礼 (lǐ) ceremony, gift · 福 (fú) good fortune · 视 (shì) to look at
衤yīradical: clothing (side form of 衣)衬衫 (chènshān) shirt · 裤 (kù) trousers · 袜 (wà) sock
冫bīngradical: ice (two drops)冷 (lěng) cold · 冰 (bīng) ice · 冻 (dòng) to freeze
刂dāoradical: knife (side form of 刀)到 (dào) to arrive · 别 (bié) don't · 刻 (kè) quarter hour
力lìradical: strength男 (nán) male · 动 (dòng) to move · 办 (bàn) to handle
石shíradical: stone码 (mǎ) code, number · 碗 (wǎn) bowl · 破 (pò) broken
米mǐradical: rice粉 (fěn) powder, noodles · 糖 (táng) sugar · 粥 (zhōu) rice porridge
雨yǔradical: rain, weather (on top)雪 (xuě) snow · 雷 (léi) thunder · 零 (líng) zero
HSK 1: the rest
杯bēicup杯子 (bēizi) cup, glass
本běn(measure word for books); root一本书 (yì běn shū) a book
客kèguest不客气 (bú kèqi) you're welcome
气qìair; gas; mood天气 (tiānqì) weather
菜càivegetable; dish点菜 (diǎn cài) to order food
租zūto rent出租车 (chūzūchē) taxi
打dǎto hit; to make (a call)打电话 (dǎ diànhuà) to make a phone call
脑nǎobrain电脑 (diànnǎo) computer
视shìto look at电视 (diànshì) television
影yǐngshadow; image电影 (diànyǐng) film
起qǐto rise对不起 (duìbuqǐ) sorry
店diànshop饭店 (fàndiàn) restaurant; hotel
飞fēito fly飞机 (fēijī) plane
机jīmachine手机 (shǒujī) mobile phone
钟zhōngclock; bell分钟 (fēnzhōng) minute
兴xìngmood, interest高兴 (gāoxìng) happy, glad
工gōngwork工作 (gōngzuò) job; to work
作zuòto do, make工作 (gōngzuò) job; to work
狗gǒudog小狗 (xiǎogǒu) puppy
汉hànHan (Chinese)汉语 (Hànyǔ) Chinese language
语yǔlanguage英语 (Yīngyǔ) English
号hàonumber; date几号? (jǐ hào?) what's the date?
面miànface; side; noodles面条 (miàntiáo) noodles
见jiànto see再见 (zàijiàn) goodbye
块kuàipiece; yuan (spoken)十块 (shí kuài) ten yuan
猫māocat小猫 (xiǎomāo) kitten
系xìsystem; to relate没关系 (méi guānxi) it doesn't matter
米mǐrice (uncooked); metre米饭 (mǐfàn) cooked rice
漂piào(in 漂亮)漂亮 (piàoliang) pretty
亮liàngbright漂亮 (piàoliang) pretty
苹píng(in 苹果)苹果 (píngguǒ) apple
果guǒfruit水果 (shuǐguǒ) fruit
认rènto recognize认识 (rènshi) to know (someone)
识shíto know认识 (rènshi) to know (someone)
商shāngtrade商店 (shāngdiàn) shop
午wǔnoon中午 (zhōngwǔ) noon
候hòutime; to wait时候 (shíhou) time, moment
睡shuìto sleep睡觉 (shuìjiào) to sleep
觉jiào / juésleep; to feel觉得 (juéde) to think, feel
岁suìyears old几岁? (jǐ suì?) how old?
同tóngsame, together同学 (tóngxué) classmate
喂wèihello (on the phone)喂? (wèi?) hello?
雨yǔrain下雨 (xià yǔ) to rain
现xiànnow; to appear现在 (xiànzài) now
些xiēsome一些 (yìxiē) some
星xīngstar星期 (xīngqī) week
期qīperiod星期一 (xīngqīyī) Monday
习xíto practise学习 (xuéxí) to study
校xiàoschool学校 (xuéxiào) school
衣yīclothes衣服 (yīfu) clothes
服fúclothes; to serve服务员 (fúwùyuán) waiter
院yuàncourtyard; institution医院 (yīyuàn) hospital
椅yǐchair椅子 (yǐzi) chair
再zàiagain再见 (zàijiàn) goodbye
样yàngkind, way怎么样? (zěnmeyàng?) how is it?
桌zhuōtable桌子 (zhuōzi) table
Signs & travel
厕cètoilet厕所 (cèsuǒ) toilet
所suǒplace厕所 (cèsuǒ) toilet
禁jìnforbidden禁止吸烟 (jìnzhǐ xīyān) no smoking
止zhǐto stop禁止 (jìnzhǐ) prohibited
烟yānsmoke; cigarette吸烟 (xīyān) to smoke
推tuīpush (on doors)推 (tuī) PUSH
拉lāpull (on doors)拉 (lā) PULL
站zhànstation; to stand火车站 (huǒchēzhàn) train station
票piàoticket车票 (chēpiào) ticket
场chǎngopen area, ground机场 (jīchǎng) airport
铁tiěiron地铁 (dìtiě) subway, metro
地dìground; place地图 (dìtú) map
路lùroad马路 (mǎlù) street
街jiēstreet街道 (jiēdào) street
银yínsilver银行 (yínháng) bank
行xíng / hángto go; OK / row, firm银行 (yínháng) bank · 行 (xíng) OK
药yàomedicine药店 (yàodiàn) pharmacy
售shòuto sell售票处 (shòupiàochù) ticket office
停tíngto stop, park停车场 (tíngchēchǎng) car park
危wēidanger危险 (wēixiǎn) danger
险xiǎnrisky危险 (wēixiǎn) danger
安ānsafe; calm安全出口 (ānquán chūkǒu) emergency exit
全quánwhole安全 (ānquán) safe, safety
警jǐngpolice; alarm警察 (jǐngchá) police
洗xǐto wash洗手间 (xǐshǒujiān) toilet, washroom
间jiānroom; between房间 (fángjiān) room
免miǎnfree of免费 (miǎnfèi) free of charge
费fèifee免费 (miǎnfèi) free of charge
营yíngto operate营业中 (yíngyè zhōng) open (shop sign)
业yèbusiness营业时间 (yíngyè shíjiān) opening hours
换huànto change换钱 (huàn qián) to change money
楼lóufloor; building二楼 (èr lóu) second floor
酒jiǔalcohol酒店 (jiǔdiàn) hotel
宾bīnguest宾馆 (bīnguǎn) hotel
馆guǎnhall, house饭馆 (fànguǎn) restaurant
Basic Chinese phrases