A Complete Guide to the Most Basic Chinese Words for Beginners

Do you want to start speaking Chinese right now? Begin with the most essential Chinese language basic words.

• Greetings like 你好 (nǐ hǎo), 早 (zǎo), 再见 (zài jiàn) help you connect with others.

• Numbers from 1-10, pronouns, and simple verbs are key Chinese language basic words you’ll use every day.

• Learning Pinyin and tones ensures you pronounce these basic words correctly.
  Chinese grammar is straightforward for beginners, so you can quickly use these Chinese language basic words in real conversations. With Coachers.org, you get online support to practice anytime, anywhere.

Key Takeaways

• Begin learning Chinese with simple words like greetings, numbers, pronouns, and common verbs. These words help you build a strong base.

• Practice saying words the right way using Pinyin and tones. Listen to native speakers, repeat after them, and ask for feedback from tutors.

• Use polite words like please, thank you, sorry, and excuse me. These words show respect and help you connect with others.

• Learn everyday nouns, directions, time words, and food phrases. This helps you handle real-life situations with confidence.

• Practice often with tools like Coachers.org. This helps you get better at speaking, receive feedback, and stay motivated.

Greetings

Hello and Goodbye

When you meet someone in China, you can say 你好 (nǐ hǎo), which means "hello." If you want to sound extra polite, use 您好 (nín hǎo) with older people or strangers. To say goodbye, use 再见 (zài jiàn). These words help you start and end conversations with confidence.

Here are some examples you can try:

• 你好！(nǐ hǎo!) — Hello!

• 您好！(nín hǎo!) — Hello! (polite)

• 再见！(zài jiàn!) — Goodbye!

You can also use casual greetings with friends, like 你今天好吗？(nǐ jīntiān hǎo ma?) which means "How are you today?" or 最近怎么样？(zuìjìn zěnme yàng?) for "How have you been lately?"

Time-Based Greetings

Chinese people often greet each other based on the time of day. Here are some useful phrases:

Try using these greetings when you meet someone at different times. For example, say 早上好 (zǎoshang hǎo) in the morning or 晚上好 (wǎnshang hǎo) in the evening. To end the day, you can say 晚安 (wǎn'ān), which means "good night."

Pronunciation

Getting the pronunciation right makes a big difference. Here are some tips to help you sound more natural:

1. Learn the basic Pinyin sounds and tones. Practice with a teacher or native speaker to hear the differences. 2. Listen to Chinese audio, songs, or movies. This helps you get used to the rhythm and accent. 3. Repeat words and sentences out loud. Go slowly and focus on the tones. 4. Record yourself and compare with native speakers. Ask for feedback if you can. 5. Practice every day. Review your mistakes and keep trying.

Tip: Coachers.org offers personalized coaching, so you can practice greetings with native speakers and get real-time feedback. This helps you build confidence and improve your accent from the start.

Polite Words

Being polite is very important in Chinese. Using polite words shows respect. It helps people feel good around you. Here are some polite words you will use often.

Please and Thank You

You say 请 (qǐng) to ask for things nicely. For example, if you want salt, you say, “请给我盐” (qǐng gěi wǒ yán). This means “Please give me the salt.” 谢谢 (xiè xie) means “thank you.” You say it when someone helps you or gives you something. These words help you make friends. They show you care about how others feel.

Tip: In China, saying 请 and 谢谢 is very important. It shows you respect people. It helps everyone get along and stay happy.

Sorry and Excuse Me

Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. If you bump into someone, you say 对不起 (duì bù qǐ). This means “sorry.” If someone says sorry to you, you can say 没关系 (méi guānxi). This means “it’s okay.” These words help fix small problems. They help keep people happy.

Usage Examples

Here are some times you need polite words:

Polite words are used every day in China. They help you talk to people. They show you know the culture. Using these chinese language basic words makes talking easier and nicer.

Chinese Language Basic Words: Pronouns and Questions

Personal Pronouns

You use pronouns every day when you talk about yourself or others. In Chinese, pronouns are simple and easy to remember. Here are the most common ones:

• 我 (wǒ) — I, me

• 你 (nǐ) — you

• 他 (tā) — he, him

• 她 (tā) — she, her

• 它 (tā) — it

• 我们 (wǒmen) — we, us

• 他们 (tāmen) — they, them

You only add “们” (men) to make pronouns plural, like 我们 for “we.” Don’t use “们” with numbers or objects. For example, say “五个学生” (five students), not “五个学生们.”

Key Question Words

When you want to ask questions, you need some special words. These question words help you start conversations and learn more about people. Here are the most useful ones for beginners:

• 什么 (shén me) — what

• 怎么 (zěn me) — how

• 为什么 (wèi shén me) — why

• 哪里 (nǎ lǐ) — where

• 谁 (shéi) — who

• 哪个 (nǎ ge) — which

• 什么时候 (shén me shí hou) — when

Tip: Mastering these question words lets you ask about names, places, time, and more. You can talk about many topics with just a few chinese language basic words.

Simple Questions

You can use pronouns and question words to make simple questions. Here are some examples you can try:

Remember, don’t add “吗” to questions that already use “是不是” or “有没有.” For example, say “你是不是学生？” not “你是不是学生吗？” This keeps your questions clear and correct.

With Coachers.org, you get to practice these questions in real conversations. You learn how to use chinese language basic words naturally, and you get feedback from expert coaches. This helps you build real speaking skills and confidence.

Numbers

Counting 1-10

Numbers are some of the first chinese language basic words you’ll use every day. Let’s start with 1 to 10. You’ll see these everywhere—from menus to street signs. Here’s a handy table to help you remember:

You can count higher by combining these numbers. For example, 11 is 十一 (shí yī), and 20 is 二十 (èr shí).

Everyday Uses

You’ll use numbers all the time in China. When you shop, you might say 两个人 (liǎng gè rén) for “two people” or 两只猫 (liǎng zhī māo) for “two cats.” If you need to talk about cars, you say 两辆车 (liǎng liàng chē). Notice that you use “两” (liǎng) instead of “二” (èr) when counting things.

When you ask for a phone number, you say:
你的电话号码是多少？(Nǐ de diànhuà hàomǎ shì duōshǎo?) — What is your phone number?
You answer with:
我的电话号码是… (Wǒ de diànhuà hàomǎ shì…) — My phone number is…

Each digit is said one by one. For the number 1, people often say “yāo” instead of “yī” to avoid confusion with 7 (qī), especially on the phone. For example, 83146110 is pronounced “bā sān yāo sì liù yāo yāo líng.”

You also use numbers for age. If you want to say “I am 25 years old,” you say 我二十五岁 (wǒ èr shí wǔ suì).

Pronunciation

Chinese numbers have different tones. Practice saying each number out loud. Listen to native speakers and repeat after them. Try to match their tone and rhythm. If you get stuck, ask a Coachers.org tutor for help. They can give you tips and correct your pronunciation in real time.

Tip: Practice numbers every day. Use them when you count objects, read phone numbers, or talk about your age. The more you use them, the easier they get!

Everyday Nouns

People and Objects

You use nouns every day when you talk about people and things around you. In Chinese, these words are simple and easy to remember. Here’s a table with some of the most common ones you’ll see and hear:

You can use these words to talk about your family, pets, or things you own. For example, you might say “我是学生” (wǒ shì xuésheng) for “I am a student,” or “我有一只狗” (wǒ yǒu yì zhī gǒu) for “I have a dog.”

Places

Knowing place names helps you get around and talk about where you are. Here are some useful words:

You might say “我在家” (wǒ zài jiā) for “I am at home,” or “我们去饭馆” (wǒmen qù fànguǎn) for “We are going to the restaurant.” These words make it easy to talk about your day and where you want to go.

Modern Life Vocabulary

Life in China moves fast. You see new words everywhere, especially in technology and daily life. Two words you hear all the time are 支付宝 (Zhīfùbǎo, Alipay) and 微信 (Wēixìn, WeChat). People use Alipay to pay for things. WeChat is for chatting, sharing photos, and even paying bills.

Tip: If you visit a shop, you might hear “你用支付宝还是微信？” (Nǐ yòng Zhīfùbǎo háishì Wēixìn?) which means “Do you use Alipay or WeChat?” Most stores accept both.

Here’s a quick dialogue you might use:

A: 你有微信吗？ (Nǐ yǒu Wēixìn ma?)  
B: 有，我的微信是... (Yǒu, wǒ de Wēixìn shì...)

Translation:
A: Do you have WeChat?
B: Yes, my WeChat is...

Learning these everyday nouns helps you talk about people, places, and things. You start using chinese language basic words in real conversations right away.

Food and Dining

Basic Food Words

Hungry in China? You’ll want to know some food words before you order. Here’s a table with the most common foods you’ll see on menus and in markets:

Try saying these words out loud. Listen for the tones. If you’re not sure, ask a native speaker or your Coachers.org tutor for help.

Ordering

Ordering food in a Chinese restaurant feels exciting. You get to try new dishes and practice your language skills. Here are some phrases you’ll use:

• 我要这个 (wǒ yào zhège) — I’ll have this one (pointing at the menu)

• 请给我... (qǐng gěi wǒ...) — Please give me...

• 你有什么推荐？(nǐ yǒu shénme tuījiàn?) — What do you recommend?

• 这个是什么？(zhège shì shénme?) — What is this?

• 我要喝茶 (wǒ yào hē chá) — I want to drink tea

• 请再来一份 (qǐng zài lái yī fèn) — Please bring another portion

• 够了 (gòu le) — That’s enough

You can ask for drinks by saying 我要喝 plus the drink name. For example, 我要喝水 (wǒ yào hē shuǐ) means “I want to drink water.” If you want it hot or cold, add 热的 (rè de) or 冷的 (lěng de).

Tip: Pointing at the menu and saying 这个 (zhè ge) works great if you’re not sure how to pronounce a dish.

Restaurant Phrases

When you eat out, you’ll need a few more phrases. Here are some you’ll hear and use:

• 请给我们菜单 (qǐng gěi wǒmen càidān) — Can we please have a menu?

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

• 请给我刀叉 (qǐng gěi wǒ dāo chā) — Can I please have a fork and knife?

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

Chinese dining has its own etiquette. People share dishes instead of ordering just for themselves. Wait for the oldest person to start eating first. Never stick chopsticks straight up in your rice. If you finish your food, leave a little on your plate to show you’re full. Slurping noodles is a good thing—it means you like the food!

Paying for the meal can be a fun moment. Friends often “fight” to pay the bill. You can say 请给我帐单 (qǐng gěi wǒ zhàng dān) when you’re ready to pay. Tipping isn’t common, so don’t worry about it.

Note: Practicing these phrases with a Coachers.org tutor helps you sound natural and confident when you order food in China.

Directions

Key Words

When you travel in China, knowing direction words helps you get where you want to go. Here are some of the most common ones:

You use these words every day. For example, if you want to tell someone to go straight and then turn left, you say “直走，然后左转” (zhí zǒu, ránhòu zuǒ zhuǎn).

Tip: Pay attention to tones. Saying a word with the wrong tone can change the meaning!

Asking Directions

You often need to ask for help when you are in a new place. Here are some simple phrases you can use:

• 请问，地铁站在哪里？(Qǐngwèn, dìtiě zhàn zài nǎlǐ?) — Excuse me, where is the subway station?

• 洗手间怎么走？(Xǐshǒujiān zěnme zǒu?) — How do I get to the restroom?

• 到火车站怎么走？(Dào huǒchē zhàn zěnme zǒu?) — How do I get to the train station?

Imagine you are at a busy street. You ask, “请问，银行怎么走？” (Excuse me, how do I get to the bank?) Someone might answer, “往前走，右转” (Go forward, turn right). These short answers help you find your way fast.

Transportation

Getting around in China is easy when you know the right words. Here are some you will use a lot:

• 公交 (gōngjiāo) — Bus

• 地铁 (dìtiě) — Subway

• 出租车 (chūzūchē) — Taxi

You can ask, “最近的地铁站在哪里？” (Where is the nearest subway station?) or “我怎么去机场？” (How do I get to the airport?). If you want to take a taxi, just say, “我要去…” (I want to go to…) and add your destination.

Note: Practice these words with a friend or your Coachers.org tutor. Real-life practice makes you more confident when you travel!

Time and Dates

Days and Months

You use days and months all the time in daily life. In Mandarin, days of the week follow a simple pattern. You just add a number to the word for week. For example, 星期一 (xīngqī yī) means Monday. Sunday is a little different. You can say 星期天 (xīngqī tiān) or 星期日 (xīngqī rì).

Here’s a handy table to help you remember:

You just say the number plus 月 (yuè) for months. For example, 三月 (sān yuè) is March.

Telling Time

Telling time in Chinese is easy once you know the pattern. You use 点 (diǎn) for hours and 分 (fēn) for minutes. For half past, say 半 (bàn). For example:

• 三点 (sān diǎn) — 3 o’clock

• 三点半 (sān diǎn bàn) — 3:30

• 下午三点四十五分 (xiàwǔ sān diǎn sìshíwǔ fēn) — 3:45 PM

You always put 点 after the hour. If you want to ask the time, say:
现在几点？(xiànzài jǐ diǎn?) — What time is it now?

Tip: In Chinese, time words usually come before the verb. For example, say 我明天去商店 (wǒ míngtiān qù shāngdiàn) for “I will go to the store tomorrow.”

Using Time Words

You use time words every day. Here are some of the most common:

• 今天 (jīntiān) — today

• 明天 (míngtiān) — tomorrow

• 昨天 (zuótiān) — yesterday

• 现在 (xiànzài) — now

• 早上 (zǎoshang) — morning

• 晚上 (wǎnshang) — evening

You can talk about dates by saying the year, month, and day in order. For example:
二零二五年九月十五号 (èr líng èr wǔ nián jiǔ yuè shíwǔ hào) — September 15, 2025.

Try these practice sentences:

• 你的生日是几月几号？(nǐ de shēngrì shì jǐ yuè jǐ hào?) — When is your birthday?

• 我们下周一上午十点见。(wǒmen xià zhōuyī shàngwǔ shí diǎn jiàn) — Let’s meet next Monday at 10 a.m.

• 我每天七点起床。(wǒ měitiān qī diǎn qǐchuáng) — I get up at 7 every day.

Note: Practice using these time words in your daily conversations. The more you use them, the more natural they will feel!

Common Verbs

Learning a few common verbs helps you build sentences fast. These verbs let you talk about who you are, what you have, where you want to go, and what you like. Let’s look at some of the most important ones you’ll use every day.

To Be and To Have

You use 是 (shì) to say what something is. It links the subject and what you want to say about it. For example, “我是学生” (wǒ shì xuésheng) means “I am a student.” You use 有 (yǒu) to show what you have or what exists. “我有一个苹果” (wǒ yǒu yī gè píngguǒ) means “I have an apple.” If you want to say you don’t have something, just add 没 (méi) before 有: “我没有钱” (wǒ méi yǒu qián) — I don’t have money.

To Go and To Want

You use 去 (qù) to talk about going somewhere. “我去学校” (wǒ qù xuéxiào) means “I go to school.” If you want to say you want something, use 要 (yào). “我要水” (wǒ yào shuǐ) means “I want water.” You can also use 要 to talk about plans or needs. For example, “我要去北京” (wǒ yào qù Běijīng) — I want to go to Beijing.

To Like and Everyday Actions

You use 喜欢 (xǐhuan) to talk about what you like. “我喜欢中国菜” (wǒ xǐhuan Zhōngguó cài) means “I like Chinese food.” This verb helps you share your feelings and opinions. You can also use other action verbs like 拿 (ná, to take) and 给 (gěi, to give) in daily life. For example, “请拿咖啡” (qǐng ná kāfēi) — Please take the coffee, or “请把书给我” (qǐng bǎ shū gěi wǒ) — Please give me the book.

These verbs are the backbone of chinese language basic words. You use them to talk about yourself, ask questions, and share what you want or like. Practice making your own sentences with these verbs. The more you use them, the easier it gets!

Tip: Try saying a few sentences out loud every day. Mix and match these verbs with new words you learn. You’ll start speaking Chinese with confidence in no time!

Practice and Memorization

Study Tips

You want to remember new Chinese words, right? Try mixing up your study methods. Here are some tips that really work:

• Draw pictures of the words you learn. Drawing helps you remember twice as much as just writing. It connects what you see, feel, and think.

• Use a memory palace. Imagine a place in your mind and store words there by their sounds or parts. This trick makes it easier to find words later.

• Combine your senses. Read, write, listen, and say each word out loud. The more ways you use a word, the faster you remember it.

• Make your own funny images or mind maps. These help you remember the meaning, sound, and tone of each word.

• Practice with native speakers. Even short chats help you remember and pronounce words better.

• Learn the stroke order and the story behind each character. Some characters look like what they mean!

Try writing by hand every day. Use new words in your own sentences. Understanding the parts (radicals) of each character also helps you guess meanings.

Using Media

Want to make learning fun? Dive into Chinese movies, music, and podcasts. Watching films or TV shows with subtitles lets you hear real conversations and learn slang. You pick up phrases people use every day. Listening to songs by artists like Jay Chou or G.E.M. helps you practice pronunciation and remember words through catchy tunes. Podcasts with transcripts let you hear natural speech and learn about Chinese culture. These media tools turn your study time into an adventure and help you remember words in real-life situations.

Tip: Try singing along with your favorite Chinese song or repeating lines from a movie. You’ll sound more natural and have fun at the same time!

Practicing with Coachers.org

You get the best results when you practice with real people. Coachers.org gives you personalized online coaching, so you always know how you’re doing. Here’s how it helps:

You get feedback, progress reports, and expert coaches who help you stay on track. Live sessions let you listen to different native speakers, repeat words, and get instant corrections. This kind of practice makes your pronunciation better and helps you remember words for longer. You can join group classes or book private lessons—whatever fits your style. With Coachers.org, you always have support, so you never feel stuck.

Learning chinese language basic words helps you start strong. If you practice every day, you get better and remember words longer. You get more than just new words:

• Make your brain stronger and remember things better

• Do well in school and future jobs

• Meet new people and learn about their cultures

• Watch Chinese movies and listen to music

Coachers.org makes learning simple. You get flexible lessons and expert teachers. You can join group classes or private lessons. You can even become a certified Coacher! Are you ready to begin? Start learning today!

FAQ

How do I remember Chinese words faster?

Try using flashcards, drawing pictures, or making up funny stories for each word. Practice every day. Say the words out loud. Write them by hand. The more you use them, the easier they stick!

Tip: Mix listening, speaking, reading, and writing for best results.

Is Chinese pronunciation really hard?

It feels tricky at first, but you get better with practice. Focus on tones and listen to native speakers. Repeat after them. Record yourself and compare. You will improve step by step!

Can I start speaking Chinese right away?

Yes! Use basic words and simple sentences from day one. Don’t worry about mistakes. People will understand you. Practice with friends or a Coachers.org tutor to build confidence.

What makes Coachers.org different for learning Chinese?

You get live practice with expert coaches. Lessons fit your schedule. You receive feedback and support every step. You can join group classes or private sessions. Coachers.org helps you learn Chinese your way! 🚀