# Basic Chinese Words: Speak Mandarin
If you ever desired to learn Basic Chinese words, today is the best day
to begin. Chinese, particularly Mandarin, will appear challenging initially,
but you don't have to master it in a single sitting. The best approach to start
is by learning simple Chinese words that enable you to speak basic sentences,
greet other people, ask questions, and navigate conveniently.
In this article, you'll discover some of the most practical basic Chinese words and phrases. We'll even add how to say them using Pinyin
(pronounced like English so you can easily practice speaking them).
# Why Learn Basic Chinese Words?
There are several good reasons that people across the globe
are learning Chinese. Let's examine a few:
It's spoken by more
than a billion people around the globe.
It facilitates travel
in China or other Chinese-speaking nations.
It opens doors to
business, employment, and international opportunities.
It's a cognitive
exercise—learning a new language is excellent for your brain.
Let's get on with the most essential Chinese words and their
English meanings.
1. Greetings and Polite Words
The most important thing you need to learn in any language
is how to say hello and be respectful. In Chinese, greeting people and saying
thank you can impress a lot.
Nǐ hǎo (你好)
– Hello
Zǎo shàng hǎo (早上好)
– Good morning
Wǎn shàng hǎo (晚上好)
– Good evening
Zài jiàn (再见) – Goodbye
Nǐ hǎo ma? (你好吗?) – How are you?
Wǒ hěn hǎo (我很好)
– I'm fine
Xiè xiè (谢谢) – Thank you
Bù kè qì (不客气)
– You're welcome
Duì bù qǐ (对不起) – Sorry
Qǐng (请) – Please
Mastering these words will help you begin a conversation and
be respectful in Chinese culture.
2. Numbers from 1 to 10
Yī (一) –
One
Èr (二) –
Two
Sān (三)
– Three
Sì (四) –
Four
Wǔ (五) –
Five
Liù (六)
– Six
Qī (七) –
Seven
Bā (八) –
Eight
Jiǔ (九)
– Nine
Shí (十)
– Ten
You can try daily repetition of counting out loud – it makes
you remember easily.
3. Discussing Family
Learning to discuss family comes in useful when meeting
others or talking about yourself.
Mā ma (妈妈) – Mother
Bà ba (爸爸)
– Father
Gē ge (哥哥)
– Older brother
Dì di (弟弟)
– Younger brother
Jiě jie (姐姐)
– Older sister
Mèi mei (妹妹)
– Younger sister
Qī zi (妻子)
– Wife
Zhàng fū (丈夫)
– Husband
These are some words you can use to talk about your family
when you are meeting someone new.
4. Useful Everyday Phrases
Shì (是)
– Yes
Bù shì (不是)
– No
Wǒ bù dǒng (我不懂)
– I don't understand
Nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma? (你能帮我吗?) – Can you help me?
Wǒ yào zhè ge (我要这个) – I want this
Duō shǎo qián? (多少钱?) – How much is it?
Xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ
lǐ? (洗手间在哪里?) – Where is the restroom?
You can also practice these phrases when you watch Chinese
videos or with a language partner.
5. Days of the Week
Xīng qī yī (星期一)
– Monday
Xīng qī èr (星期二)
– Tuesday
Xīng qī sān (星期三)
– Wednesday
Xīng qī sì (星期四)
– Thursday
Xīng qī wǔ (星期五)
– Friday
Xīng qī liù (星期六)
– Saturday
Xīng qī tiān (星期天)
– Sunday
Repetition of these words by inserting them in your calendar
or uttering them while scheduling your week can be used to learn them.
6. Common Colors
Hóng sè (红色) – Red
Lán sè (蓝色) – Blue
Lǜ sè (绿色) – Green
Huáng sè (黄色)
– Yellow
Hēi sè (黑色)
– Black
Bái sè (白色)
– White
Test describing what you're wearing or observing around you
with these colors.
7. Simple Question Words
Shén me (什么)
– What
Shéi (谁) – Who
Nǎ lǐ (哪里)
– Where
Wèi shén me (为什么) – Why
Zěn me (怎么)
– How
For instance, you may ask:
"Zhè shì shén me?" – What is this?
"Tā shì shéi?" – Who is he/she?
# Tips for Learning Basic Chinese Words
2. Read out loud – Reading words out loud improves your
memory and makes you more confident.
3. Listen to Chinese television programs – This will assist
you in listening to the way actual people speak.
4. Mark things in the home – Place the Chinese character on
sticky notes and position them on your door, table, or mirror.
5. Keep it simple – Don't attempt to learn every thing at
one time. Only five words a day is sufficient!
# Final Thoughts
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