
You can begin learning how to speak Chinese words right now. Start by mastering 20 important phrases. After that, aim to learn 100 basic Chinese phrases, focusing on greetings and polite expressions. Familiarizing yourself with numbers will also help you feel more confident. Many beginners are excited by their own interests and enjoy exploring Chinese culture. Online platforms like Coachers allow you to learn how to speak Chinese words from anywhere and at any time.
Don’t worry if you make mistakes. Say the words out loud and have fun learning!
| Advantages | Best For | |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Flexible, saves money, learn at your own speed | Beginners, busy people | 
Key Takeaways
- Begin learning Chinese by first learning 20 key phrases. This gives you a good base for more words later. 
- Pay attention to how you say words and their tones. Using the right tones is very important in Mandarin. 
- Practice every day with fun tools like Coachers. Practicing often helps you remember words and speak better. 
Pronunciation Tips

Learning how to speak chinese words starts with understanding pronunciation. Mandarin Chinese uses tones and a system called Pinyin to help you say words correctly. If you want people to understand you, you need to pay close attention to pronunciation. Even a small change in tone can make a big difference.
How to speak chinese words with correct tones
Mandarin has four main tones. Each tone changes the meaning of a word, even if the spelling looks the same. For example:
- First Tone (mā): high and flat, means "mother" 
- Second Tone (má): rising, means "hemp" 
- Third Tone (mǎ): dipping, means "horse" 
- Fourth Tone (mà): falling, means "scold" 
If you mix up the tones, you might say "horse" when you mean "mother." Mastering tones is key for clear pronunciation. Early practice helps you avoid misunderstandings. Try repeating words out loud and listening to native speakers. Coachers offers AI-powered tools and expert feedback to help you learn chinese pronunciation and get your tones right.
Pinyin basics for beginners
Pinyin is the system that shows you how to pronounce Chinese words using the alphabet. It helps beginners break down sounds and learn correct pronunciation. Pinyin uses letters you already know, so it feels familiar. Still, some sounds are new. You might find it tricky to say "zh," "ch," or "sh." Many beginners also struggle with diphthongs and clusters. Practice makes it easier. Coachers gives you step-by-step guides and practice sessions to help you master Pinyin and pronunciation.
Tip: Focus on one sound at a time. Repeat it until it feels natural. Don’t rush—steady practice builds confidence!
Basic Chinese Words and Phrases

Learning how to speak chinese words starts with building your vocabulary. You want to know the basic chinese words that people use every day. When you use common chinese words, you can join conversations and feel more confident. Let’s break down the most important words and phrases for beginners.
Common chinese words for daily use
You hear these frequently used chinese words in almost every conversation. These key verbs in chinese help you talk about actions, feelings, and things around you. Try saying each word out loud and notice how the sounds feel.
- 去 (qù) – to go 
- 看 (kàn) – to see, to look, to watch 
- 觉得 (juéde) – to think 
- 使用 (shǐyòng) – to use 
- 知道 (zhīdào) – to know 
- 没有 (méiyǒu) – to not have 
- 都 (dōu) – all 
- 大 (dà) – big 
- 最 (zuì) – most 
- 好 (hǎo) – good 
- 小 (xiǎo) – small 
- 新 (xīn) – new 
- 已经 (yǐjīng) – already 
- 上 (shàng) – on, above 
- 下 (xià) – under, below 
- 和 (hé) – and 
- 在 (zài) – located 
- 有 (yǒu) – to have 
- 说 (shuō) – to speak, to say 
- 要 (yào) – to want, need 
You use these basic chinese words to talk about what you do, what you want, and how you feel. If you focus on key verbs in chinese, you can make simple sentences. For example, you can say “我去” (wǒ qù) for “I go” or “我有” (wǒ yǒu) for “I have.” Coachers gives you interactive quizzes and instant feedback so you remember these common chinese words faster.
Tip: Repeat each word three times. Try to use it in a sentence. This helps you remember and use basic chinese words in real life.
Greetings and polite phrases
You want to sound friendly and polite in chinese phrases in social situations. Greetings and polite expressions are the first things you say when you meet someone. These basic chinese words help you start conversations and show respect.
- 你好 (nǐ hǎo) – Hello 
- 谢谢 (xièxiè) – Thank you 
- 对不起 (duìbuqǐ) – Sorry/Excuse me 
- 请 (qǐng) – Please 
- 再见 (zàijiàn) – Goodbye 
- 没关系 (méi guānxi) – It’s okay / No problem 
- 好的 (hǎo de) – Okay / All right 
- 请问 (qǐng wèn) – Excuse me / May I ask 
- 不客气 (bù kè qì) – You’re welcome 
- 早上好 (zǎo shàng hǎo) – Good morning 
- 晚上好 (wǎn shàng hǎo) – Good evening 
You use these chinese phrases in social situations every day. If you want to know how to introduce yourself in chinese, start with “你好, 我叫…” (Hello, my name is…). Saying thank you and goodbye makes you sound polite. Try saying good morning to your friends or teachers. Coachers’ vocabulary lists show you the pinyin and give you pronunciation tips so you sound natural.
Note: Always say thank you when someone helps you. If you make a mistake, say sorry. People appreciate polite words.
Numbers and counting
Numbers are basic chinese words you need for shopping, travel, and daily life. You use them to count, ask prices, and tell time. Many beginners find numbers tricky at first. You might mix up big numbers or forget to use classifiers.
Here are the numbers 1 to 10:
| Number | Chinese | Pinyin | 
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 一 | yī | 
| 2 | 二 | èr | 
| 3 | 三 | sān | 
| 4 | 四 | sì | 
| 5 | 五 | wǔ | 
| 6 | 六 | liù | 
| 7 | 七 | qī | 
| 8 | 八 | bā | 
| 9 | 九 | jiǔ | 
| 10 | 十 | shí | 
When you count objects, you need a classifier. For example, say “一个苹果” (yí gè píngguǒ) for “one apple.” If you want to ask “How much is this?” use “这个多少钱?” (zhège duōshǎo qián?). Coachers helps you practice numbers with adaptive difficulty and progress tracking. You get instant feedback so you learn faster.
Tip: Practice numbers every day. Try counting things around you. Use pinyin to help with pronunciation.
How Coachers helps beginners learn faster

Coachers makes learning basic chinese words easy for every beginner. You get interactive quizzes, adaptive lessons, and instant feedback. You see your progress and stay motivated. Coachers’ vocabulary lists cover common chinese words and chinese phrases in social situations. You practice how to speak chinese words with real-life examples. You get pronunciation tips and phonetic guides so you remember words better. Coachers uses fun tools to keep you engaged and helps you avoid common mistakes.
| Feature | Benefit | 
|---|---|
| Interactive Quizzes | You remember basic chinese words longer. | 
| Adaptive Difficulty | Lessons match your skill level. | 
| Immediate Feedback | You fix mistakes right away. | 
| Progress Tracking | You see how much you improve. | 
You learn how to speak chinese words by practicing every day. You use frequently used chinese words and key verbs in chinese to build sentences. You greet people with good morning and thank them with polite phrases. You count, shop, and travel with confidence. Coachers supports you every step of the way.
Speaking Practice with Coachers
Easy practice methods
You want to improve your Mandarin speaking. The best way is daily practice. Start by working on tones. Say words out loud and listen to native speakers. Read short sentences and notice the tones. Try copying a recording or your teacher’s voice. This helps you sound more natural.
Here are some simple ways to practice:
- Read and listen to Chinese stories. Focus on tone pairs. 
- Copy native speakers using the Echo Method. 
- Speak early, even if you know only a few words. 
- Use language exchange apps to talk with real people. 
- Practice every day, even for 10 minutes. 
- Record yourself and listen for mistakes. 
- Practice with Coachers’ interactive tools. 
- Track your progress and celebrate small wins. 
Coachers gives you online group classes and feedback. You get to practice with other learners and teachers. Group talks and pair work help you feel confident. You learn faster when you practice with others and get feedback.
Tip: Practice speaking every day. Short sessions work better than long ones. Stay consistent and you will see results.
Mistakes to avoid
Many beginners make similar mistakes when learning Mandarin. You might mix up tones or say sounds wrong. Sometimes you use the wrong word order. You may forget measure words or use "的" too much. These mistakes can make it hard for people to understand you.
Here are common mistakes:
- Tonal errors change the meaning of words. 
- Mispronouncing initials like "zh" and "j". 
- Putting words in the wrong order. 
- Using the wrong measure word. 
- Overusing "的" in sentences. 
Coachers helps you fix these mistakes. You get regular practice and feedback from teachers. You practice with native speakers and learn in real-life situations. Coachers tracks your progress and gives you tips to improve. You set a daily routine and use language apps to stay engaged.
| Metric | Description | 
|---|---|
| How well you say words correctly | |
| Tone Correctness | How well you use the right tones | 
| Vocabulary Usage | How many words you use and how complex | 
| Speaking Speed | How fast and fluent you speak | 
You build strong skills with steady practice. Coachers makes chinese speaking training fun and effective. You learn from your mistakes and get better every day.
You can begin speaking Chinese by working on pronunciation. Learn important phrases and practice every day. Read out loud to help your speaking skills. Try copying conversations to sound more natural. Celebrate when you make progress, even if it is small. Coachers gives you coaching that fits your needs. You get smart AI tools and can learn from anywhere. You can also earn a certificate. Are you ready to start? Start learning today!
FAQ
How fast can you start speaking Chinese with Coachers?
You will speak some Chinese words in your first lesson. Coachers lets you practice right away. You use simple phrases and get tips for saying words.
What if you make mistakes while speaking?
Mistakes help you get better. Coachers gives you quick feedback and advice. You can fix errors and learn faster. Don’t worry—everyone makes mistakes sometimes!
Can you learn Chinese online with Coachers from anywhere?
| Feature | Benefit | 
|---|---|
| Online Access | Learn anywhere | 
| Flexible Times | Study anytime | 
| Expert Coaches | Get real help | 
You can join lessons at home, at school, or when you travel.
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