A Complete Beginner's Guide to Basic Chinese Words and Phrases

So, you want to learn Chinese but feel confused as a beginner? You can do this! Millions of people are learning Chinese online right now. Just look at these facts:

You will find basic Chinese words to learn. There are simple phrases and tips to help you speak Chinese. With Coachers, you can learn Chinese from anywhere. Try personalized coaching and fun tools. Soon, you will say, “I am learning Chinese!” with confidence, even if you are just starting.

Key Takeaways

• Begin with important Chinese words and phrases. Focus on pronouns, greetings, and common nouns. This helps you build a strong base.

• Practice every day to get better. Use basic words when you talk, shop, or eat out. This helps you remember what you learn.

• Learn why pinyin and tones matter. Good pronunciation helps you speak clearly. It also helps you understand others.

• Try real-life situations. Pretend to order food or ask for directions. This will help you speak better.

• Think about getting help from Coachers. Lessons made for you and flexible times can help you learn Chinese faster.

Basic Chinese Words to Learn

Learning basic Chinese words to learn is your first step to speaking with confidence. You will use these words every day. They help you greet people, ask questions, and talk about things around you. Let’s start with the most common Chinese words that every beginner should know.

Essential Pronouns

Pronouns are some of the most basic Chinese words you will use. They help you talk about yourself, others, and things. Here are the most frequently used Chinese words for pronouns:

• 我 (wǒ) – I, me

  Example: 我喜欢中文。 (Wǒ xǐhuān zhōngwén.) – I like Chinese.

• 你 (nǐ) – You (singular)

  Example: 你好吗？ (Nǐ hǎo ma?) – How are you?

• 他 (tā) – He, him

  Example: 他是老师。 (Tā shì lǎoshī.) – He is a teacher.

• 她 (tā) – She, her

  Example: 她很高兴。 (Tā hěn gāoxìng.) – She is happy.

• 我们 (wǒmen) – We, us

  Example: 我们去学校。 (Wǒmen qù xuéxiào.) – We go to school.

You will also see these common Chinese words for pointing things out:

• 这 (zhè) – This

  Example: 这是我的书。 (Zhè shì wǒ de shū.) – This is my book.

• 那 (nà) – That

  Example: 那是你的朋友吗？ (Nà shì nǐ de péngyǒu ma?) – Is that your friend?

When you want to ask questions, use these basic Chinese words:

• 什么 (shénme) – What

  Example: 你吃什么？ (Nǐ chī shénme?) – What are you eating?

• 谁 (shéi) – Who

  Example: 谁是王老师？ (Shéi shì Wáng lǎoshī?) – Who is Teacher Wang?

These useful Chinese words will help you start simple conversations and ask questions. Practice them often to build your confidence.

Numbers and Common Nouns

Numbers are some of the most basic Chinese words to learn. You will use them for counting, shopping, and giving your phone number. Here are the most common Chinese words for numbers:

• 一 (yī) – One

• 二 (èr) – Two

• 三 (sān) – Three

• 四 (sì) – Four

• 五 (wǔ) – Five

• 六 (liù) – Six

• 七 (qī) – Seven

• 八 (bā) – Eight

• 九 (jiǔ) – Nine

• 十 (shí) – Ten

Example: 我有三本书。 (Wǒ yǒu sān běn shū.) – I have three books.

You will also need some common Chinese words for places and things. These are frequently used Chinese words in daily life:

• 饭店 (fàndiàn) – Restaurant

  Example: 我们去饭店吃饭。 (Wǒmen qù fàndiàn chīfàn.) – We go to the restaurant to eat.

• 办公室 (bàngōngshì) – Office

  Example: 妈妈在办公室工作。 (Māma zài bàngōngshì gōngzuò.) – Mom works in the office.

• 部门 (bùmén) – Department

  Example: 他在市场部门。 (Tā zài shìchǎng bùmén.) – He is in the marketing department.

• 车站 (chēzhàn) – Train station

  Example: 车站在哪里？ (Chēzhàn zài nǎlǐ?) – Where is the train station?

• 公园 (gōngyuán) – Park

  Example: 我喜欢去公园。 (Wǒ xǐhuān qù gōngyuán.) – I like to go to the park.

• 博物馆 (bówùguǎn) – Museum

  Example: 他们在博物馆。 (Tāmen zài bówùguǎn.) – They are at the museum.

• 商店 (shāngdiàn) – Store, shop

  Example: 你去商店买什么？ (Nǐ qù shāngdiàn mǎi shénme?) – What do you buy at the store?

• 银行 (yínháng) – Bank

  Example: 银行几点开门？ (Yínháng jǐ diǎn kāimén?) – What time does the bank open?

• 邮局 (yóujú) – Post office

  Example: 邮局在学校旁边。 (Yóujú zài xuéxiào pángbiān.) – The post office is next to the school.

You will also see some measure words in Chinese. These are basic Chinese words that help you count things:

• 个 (gè) – for people or objects

• 位 (wèi) – for people (polite)

• 名 (míng) – for people, professionals

• 只 (zhī) – for animals

• 匹 (pǐ) – for horses

• 张 (zhāng) – for flat objects

Tip: You use measure words with numbers. For example, 一个苹果 (yí gè píngguǒ) means "one apple."

When you practice these basic Chinese words to learn, you will find it easier to talk about your day, ask for things, and understand what others say. These common Chinese words are the building blocks for every beginner. Try to use these frequently used Chinese words in your daily practice. Soon, you will remember them without thinking!

Essential Chinese Words for Beginners

Greetings

You will use greetings every day when you speak Chinese. These words help you start conversations and make friends. Let’s look at the most important Chinese greeting words you need as a beginner.

Here are the top five essential Chinese words experts recommend for greetings:

1. 你好 (nǐ hǎo) – hello

2. 谢谢 (xiè xie) – thank you

3. 我 (wǒ) – I/me

4. 对不起 (duì bù qǐ) – sorry

5. 再见 (zài jiàn) – goodbye

You can use hello in many ways. Try these basic greetings when you meet someone:

• 你好吗？ (Nǐ hǎo ma?) – How are you?

• 你最近怎么样？ (Nǐ zuìjìn zěnme yàng?) – How have you been lately?

• 身体好吗？ (Shēntǐ hǎo ma?) – Are you in good health?

• 您好 (Nín hǎo) – Hello (polite)

• 早上好 (Zǎoshang hǎo) – Good morning

• 下午好 (Xiàwǔ hǎo) – Good afternoon

• 晚上好 (Wǎnshàng hǎo) – Good evening

• 嗨 (hāi) – Hi

• 哈喽 (hā lou) – Hello

• 嘿 (hēi) – Hey

Tip: Use 你好 (nǐ hǎo) for hello in almost any situation. If you want to sound more polite, say 您好 (nín hǎo).

You will hear these greetings everywhere in China. Practice them with your Coachers teacher or with friends.

Everyday Objects

You need to know the names of everyday objects to talk about your daily life. These essential Chinese words help you shop, eat, and travel.

Here are some common words you will use:

• 牙膏 (yágāo) – toothpaste

• 毛巾 (máojīn) – towel

• 日用品 (rìyòngpǐn) – daily necessities

• 蛋糕 (dàn gāo) – cake

• 超市 (chāo shì) – supermarket

• 快餐 (kuài cān) – fast food

• 汉堡 (hàn bǎo) – hamburger

• 薯条 (shǔ tiáo) – French fries

• 勺子 (sháo zi) – spoon

• 筷子 (kuài zi) – chopstick

• 碗 (wǎn) – bowl

• 盘子 (pán zi) – plate

• 零食 (líng shí) – snack

• 海鮮 (hǎi xiān) – seafood

• 面包 (miàn bāo) – bread

You will see these words in stores, restaurants, and hotels. Try using them when you order food or buy things. Coachers’ conversational Chinese lessons make it easy to practice these words in real-life situations.

Basic Chinese Phrases for Everyday Use

When you travel or live in China, you will use basic Chinese phrases every day. These essential phrases help you shop, eat out, find your way, and handle emergencies. Let’s look at the most useful Chinese phrases for beginners.

Shopping and Transactions

Shopping in China can feel exciting. You will hear many key Chinese question words and phrases. Here are some basic words and phrases you need:

• 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) – Hello

• 打扰一下 (Dǎrǎo yīxià) – Excuse me

• 请问… (Qǐng wèn…) – May I ask…

• 多少钱? (Duōshǎo qián?) – How much is this?

• 太贵了 (Tài guìle) – Too expensive

• 便宜一点 (Piányi yīdiǎn) – Cheaper

• 可以便宜些吗? (Kěyǐ piányixiē ma?) – Can it be cheaper?

• 我要买这个 (Wǒ yào mǎi zhège) – I want to buy this

• 你能帮我找…吗? (Nǐ néng bāng wǒ zhǎo… ma?) – Can you help me find…?

• 我需要帮助 (Wǒ xūyào bāngzhù) – I need help

• 谢谢 (Xièxiè) – Thank you

• 再见 (Zài jiàn) – Goodbye

Tip: Prices are almost always negotiable at markets and small shops. If you feel something is too expensive, just say 太贵了 (Tài guìle). Try 便宜一点 (Piányi yīdiǎn) to ask for a better price.

You might also want to ask for help if you cannot find something. Just say 请问… (Qǐng wèn…) before your question. If you need help, say 请帮帮我 (Qǐng bāng bāng wǒ) or simply help (帮忙, bāngmáng).

Dining Out

Eating out in China is a fun way to practice your Chinese. You will use many essential Chinese phrases at restaurants and cafes. Here are some phrases you will need:

• 欢迎 (huān yíng) — Welcome

• 几位 (jǐ wèi) — How many people?

• 菜单 (cài dān) — Menu

• 我要… (wǒ yào…) — I would like…

• ___ 杯水 (___ bēi shuǐ) — May we have ___ glasses of water please?

• 一壶茶 (yī hú chá) — May we have a pot of tea please?

• 有叉子吗 (yǒu chā zi ma) — May I have a fork please?

• 有筷子吗 (yǒu kuài zi ma) — Do you have chopsticks?

• 有勺子吗 (yǒu sháo zi ma) — Do you have spoons?

• 买单 (mǎi dān) — May I have the bill?

• 可以刷卡吗 (kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma) — Do you accept cards?

• 带走 (dài zǒu) — Take away

• 不用味精 (bú yòng wèi jīng) — Please don’t use MSG

• 我不能吃… (wǒ bù néng chī…) — I can’t eat…

Note: If you have allergies or cannot eat something, say 我不能吃… (wǒ bù néng chī…) and add the food name. For example, 我不能吃花生 (wǒ bù néng chī huāshēng) – I can’t eat peanuts.

You can always say 谢谢 (xièxiè) to show your gratitude. If you want to know how to say thank you in Chinese, just remember 谢谢 (xièxiè).

Asking for Directions

Getting lost in a new city can happen. Don’t worry! You can use these basic Chinese phrases for asking for directions:

• 请问, … 在哪儿/哪里? (Qǐng wèn, … zài nǎr/nǎlǐ?) – May I ask where is …?

• 请问厕所在哪里? (Qǐng wèn cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?) – May I ask where is the toilet?

• 请问地铁站在哪？(Qǐngwèn dìtiě zhàn zài nǎ?) – Excuse me, where is the subway?

• 请问最近的便利店怎么走？(Qǐngwèn zuìjìn de biànlì diàn zěnme zǒu?) – Excuse me, how do I get to the closest convenience store?

• 远吗? (Yuǎn ma?) – Is it very far?

• 近吗? (Jìn ma?) – Is it close by?

• 这边? (Zhè biān?) – Is it this way?

• 那边? (Nà bian?) – Is it that way?

• 谢谢你 (Xièxiè nǐ) – Thank you

If you feel lost, just ask 请问, … 在哪里? (Qǐng wèn, … zài nǎlǐ?). People will try to help you. Always say 谢谢 (xièxiè) after someone gives you directions.

Emergencies

Emergencies can happen anywhere. You need to know some emergency phrases in Chinese to stay safe. Here are some essential phrases for emergencies:

• 请帮帮我! (Qǐng bāng bāng wǒ!) – Please help me!

• 救命! (Jiù mìng!) – Help! (in danger)

• 危险! (Wēixiǎn!) – Danger!

• 我需要帮助 (Wǒ xūyào bāngzhù) – I need help

• 我不舒服 (Wǒ bù shūfu) – I don’t feel well

• 我发烧了 (Wǒ fāshāo le) – I have a fever

• 我咳嗽 (Wǒ késou) – I am coughing

• 我感觉恶心 (Wǒ gǎnjué ěxīn) – I feel nauseous

• 我呼吸急促 (Wǒ hūxī jícù) – I am short of breath

• 医院 (yīyuàn) – Hospital

• 医生 (yīshēng) / 大夫 (dàifu) – Doctor

• 护士 (hùshi) – Nurse

• 急诊室 (jízhěn shì) – Emergency room

• 救护车 (jiùhùchē) – Ambulance

🚑 If you need an ambulance, say: 请叫救护车! (Qǐng jiào jiùhùchē!) – Please call an ambulance!

If you ever feel sick or in danger, use these phrases right away. People in China will do their best to help you. Remember, knowing a few essential phrases can make a big difference in emergencies.

You now have a set of basic Chinese phrases for shopping, dining, asking for directions, and emergencies. Practice these with your Coachers teacher or with friends. The more you use them, the more confident you will feel in real-life situations.

Beginner Sentence Patterns

Learning how to build sentences is a big step in your chinese journey. You already know many words and beginner phrases. Now, let’s put them together to make real sentences you can use every day.

Subject + Verb + Object

The most common sentence pattern in chinese is Subject + Verb + Object (SVO). You use this pattern all the time, just like in English. It helps you say what someone does and to whom or what. Here are some examples:

• 我吃饭。 (Wǒ chī fàn.) – I eat rice.

• 你喝水。 (Nǐ hē shuǐ.) – You drink water.

• 他看书。 (Tā kàn shū.) – He reads a book.

You can use this pattern for almost anything. Want to say you like something? Try this:

• 我喜欢学习。 (Wǒ xǐhuān xuéxí.) – I like studying.

• 她喝茶。 (Tā hē chá.) – She drinks tea.

Tip: In chinese, you often see animate subjects like people or animals. The subject usually comes first, followed by the verb and then the object. This makes your meaning clear and direct.

You can also link two nouns with 是 (shì), which means “to be”:

• 约翰是我的哥哥。 (Yuēhàn shì wǒ de gēge.) – John is my older brother.

To describe someone or something, use 很 (hěn), 真 (zhēn), or 太 (tài) before an adjective:

• 你真美。 (Nǐ zhēn měi.) – You are so beautiful.

• 这很大。 (Zhè hěn dà.) – This is big.

Making Requests

You will often need to ask for things or make requests in chinese. Here are some easy patterns you can use:

1. Subject + Verb + Object

   • 我要水。 (Wǒ yào shuǐ.) – I want water.

2. Negative form

   • 我不要。 (Wǒ bú yào.) – I don’t want it.

3. Yes/No question

   • 你要茶吗？ (Nǐ yào chá ma?) – Do you want tea?

4. No-verb sentence

   • 你很漂亮！(Nǐ hěn piàoliang!) – You are beautiful!

Note: In chinese, you can turn a statement into a question by adding 吗 (ma) at the end. This is a quick way to ask yes/no questions.

Chinese sentences often rely on context instead of lots of connecting words. You can keep your sentences short and clear. Practice these patterns with your Coachers teacher or in daily life. Soon, you will feel comfortable making your own sentences in chinese!

Pronunciation and Tones

Learning how to pronounce chinese words is just as important as learning what they mean. If you want to sound natural when you speak chinese, you need to understand pinyin and tones. Let’s break it down together.

Pinyin Basics

Pinyin is the system that helps you read and say chinese words using the Roman alphabet. You see pinyin everywhere when you start learning chinese. It connects chinese characters with their pronunciation, so you can say new words with confidence.

Here’s why pinyin matters for every chinese beginner:

• Pinyin shows you how to pronounce each chinese sound.

• It teaches you about simple vowels, compound vowels, and consonants.

• You use pinyin to practice tones, which are key in chinese.

• Mastering pinyin helps you speak chinese clearly and understand others.

Tip: Practice pinyin every day. Listen to your Coachers teacher and repeat after them. The more you practice, the easier chinese sounds will feel.

Some common pronunciation challenges for chinese beginners include:

• Breaking up consonant clusters (like “zh” or “ch”).

• Mixing up the /l/ and /r/ sounds.

• Confusing the final /n/ and /ng/ sounds.

• Not linking words together smoothly.

Don’t worry if you make mistakes at first. Every chinese learner faces these challenges!

Mandarin Tones

Mandarin chinese is a tonal language. This means the pitch or tone you use can change the meaning of a word. There are four main tones in chinese:

1. First tone: high and steady (mā)

2. Second tone: rising, like you’re asking a question (má)

3. Third tone: starts low, dips, then rises (mǎ)

4. Fourth tone: sharp and falling (mà)

If you say a chinese word with the wrong tone, you might say something completely different! Practicing tones is vital for clear communication in chinese.

Note: Try saying the same pinyin syllable with all four tones. You’ll hear how the meaning changes. Ask your Coachers teacher to check your tones and help you improve.

When you focus on pinyin and tones, you build a strong foundation for speaking chinese. Keep practicing, and you’ll sound more natural every day!

Quick Practice Scenarios for Beginners

Learning chinese gets easier when you practice real-life situations. You can use topic-oriented learning and real-life scenarios to boost your skills. Try these simple role-plays to get comfortable with everyday chinese.

Meeting Someone

You meet new people all the time. Practicing greetings in chinese helps you sound friendly and confident. Here’s a quick role-play you can try:

1. You see someone new at a park.

2. You say: 你好 (nǐ hǎo) – Hello!

3. They reply: 你好 (nǐ hǎo)!

4. You ask: 请问，你是哪里人？(qǐng wèn, nǐ shì nǎ lǐ rén?) – Where are you from?

5. They answer: 我是美国人。 (wǒ shì měi guó rén.) – I am American.

6. You say: 很高兴认识你！(hěn gāo xìng rèn shí nǐ!) – Nice to meet you!

Try using different greetings like 早上好 (zǎo shàng hǎo) for good morning or 下午好 (xià wǔ hǎo) for good afternoon. Practicing these chinese phrases helps you start conversations with ease.

Ordering Food

Ordering food in chinese restaurants is fun and useful. You can practice this scenario with a friend or your Coachers teacher.

• You walk into a restaurant.

• The server greets you: 欢迎光临！(huān yíng guāng lín!) – Welcome!

• You say: 我要一碗面条。(wǒ yào yī wǎn miàn tiáo.) – I want a bowl of noodles.

• The server asks: 还要别的吗？(hái yào bié de ma?) – Anything else?

• You reply: 再来一杯水，谢谢。(zài lái yī bēi shuǐ, xiè xiè.) – One more glass of water, thank you.

Practicing these chinese sentences makes eating out much easier. You will feel more confident every time you order.

Asking for Help

Sometimes you need help in a new place. Knowing how to ask for help in chinese is important. Here are some common phrases you can use:

Try these chinese phrases when you need help. You can practice with your Coachers teacher in online sessions. Real-life scenarios help you remember what to say and when to say it.

Practicing these chinese situations will help you speak with confidence. You will understand how native speakers use chinese in daily life. Join a Coachers session to practice these scenarios and get feedback from expert teachers. The more you use chinese, the faster you will improve!

Why Pick Coachers for Learning Chinese

When you start learning chinese, you want something that works for you. Coachers gives you what you need to do well. You get your own coach, flexible plans, and you can learn anywhere.

Personalized Coaching

You learn chinese faster when lessons fit your style. Coachers uses coaching that matches your needs. Your coach learns about you and how you study. They change lessons to fit your speed. This helps you learn chinese faster and remember more. You get feedback right away, so you always know how to get better.

Personalized coaching means your chinese lessons are made for you, not the other way around.

Flexible Online Plans

You can learn chinese when it works for you. Coachers has flexible online plans. You pick when and how often you study. You can join from home, work, or while traveling. You never have to miss a lesson. Coachers gives you all-day access to tools and real-life video practice.

Group and Private Sessions

You can pick group or private sessions for learning chinese. Private sessions give you one-on-one help and fast progress. You get lessons that focus on what you need. Group classes let you learn with others. You share ideas, practice talking, and stay excited. Both ways help you build strong chinese skills.

• Private sessions: Fast feedback, flexible times, and lessons just for you.

• Group classes: Lower cost, more social, and lots of practice with classmates.

Business Chinese

If you want to use chinese at work, Coachers can help. You can learn business chinese for meetings, emails, and talks. Your coach will teach you words and phrases for your job. You will feel ready for any work situation in chinese.

Become a Certified Coacher

Do you want to teach chinese? Coachers can help you become a certified coacher. You get training, support, and a flexible teaching schedule. You can teach chinese online and help others reach their goals. You also join a worldwide group of expert coaches.

With Coachers, you get everything you need to master chinese your way.

You can use chinese in your daily life. Try talking in chinese with friends or family. Use chinese words when you go shopping or eat at a restaurant. Coachers gives you help from expert coaches and flexible plans. You get support all the time. Want to get better at chinese? Here are some good next steps:

1. Listen to chinese every day. 2. Learn chinese characters by heart. 3. Read chinese stories or comics. 4. Use online chinese tools. 5. Speak chinese and learn from your mistakes.

• Practice speaking in a place where people use chinese.

Join a free chinese class, try group or private lessons, or start your chinese certification. You can begin learning chinese today at Coachers.org! 🚀

FAQ

What is the best way to start learning chinese?

You can start by learning basic chinese words and phrases. Practice speaking every day. Use online tools or join a class. Coachers offers fun lessons and real-life practice. You will see progress fast if you use chinese in daily life.

How long does it take to speak basic chinese?

Most people can speak simple chinese in a few months. If you practice often, you will learn faster. Try to use chinese every day. Listen, speak, and ask questions. Coachers helps you build confidence with real conversations.

Do I need to learn chinese characters right away?

You do not need to learn all chinese characters at first. Start with pinyin and simple words. As you get better, add more chinese characters. Reading and writing chinese will get easier with practice. Coachers can guide you step by step.

Can I learn chinese online with Coachers?

Yes! You can learn chinese online from anywhere. Coachers gives you live lessons, practice tools, and feedback. You choose your schedule. You can join group classes or get private coaching. Learning chinese online is flexible and fun.

What makes Coachers different for learning chinese?

Coachers gives you personal coaching, flexible plans, and expert teachers. You get real-life chinese practice and support. You can learn chinese for travel, work, or daily life. Coachers helps you reach your chinese goals faster.