Top Mandarin Words Every Beginner Should Know

You can start speaking Mandarin with just a few easy words and phrases. Here are some you’ll use right away:

1. 你好 (nǐ hǎo) – hello

2. 谢谢 (xièxiè) – thank you

3. 请 (qǐng) – please

4. 对不起 (duì bù qǐ) – sorry

5. 早 (zǎo) – good morning

6. 晚上好 (wǎn shang hǎo) – good evening

7. 再见 (zài jiàn) – goodbye

8. 你好吗？(nǐ hǎo ma?) – how are you?

9. 很好 (hěn hǎo) – very good

10. 我叫 (wǒ jiào) – my name is

11. 多少钱 (duō shǎo qián) – how much?

12. 厕所在哪里 (cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ) – where is the bathroom?

You’ll use these Mandarin words when you greet people, shop, order food, or travel. Most beginners can ask questions and answer with these phrases in just a few days. Coachers.org helps you practice online, so you can learn from anywhere and feel more confident every day.

Key Takeaways

• Learn important Mandarin phrases like 你好 (nǐ hǎo) for saying hello and 谢谢 (xièxiè) for saying thank you. These words help you talk to people and show you care.

• Practice asking questions with easy phrases like 多少钱 (duō shǎo qián) to ask about prices. This skill is very important when you shop or eat out.

• Use online sites like Coachers.org for one-on-one coaching. This way, you can learn at your own speed and feel more sure when you speak Mandarin.

Mandarin Words for Greetings

Basic Greetings

You’ll use greetings every day when you speak Mandarin. Here are some common ways to say hello:

• 你好 (nǐ hǎo) – hello

• 您好 (nín hǎo) – hello (formal)

• 嗨 (hāi) – hi

• 哈喽 (hā lou) – hello (playful)

• 嘿 (hēi) – hey

Tip: When you say 你好 (nǐ hǎo), make sure your voice dips and rises for both words. This helps you sound natural.

You can greet people in the morning with 早安 (zǎo'ān), in the afternoon with 午安 (wǔ'ān), and in the evening with 晚安 (wǎn'ān). Try these phrases with friends or teachers. Coachers.org lets you practice these greetings with real people online, so you get feedback and build confidence.

Introducing Yourself

When you meet someone new, you want to share your name or where you’re from. Here are some easy phrases:

1. 我叫…… (wǒ jiào…) – I am called…

2. 我姓…… (wǒ xìng…) – My last name is…

3. 我是…… (wǒ shì…) – I am…

4. 我来自美国 (wǒ lái zì měi guó) – I come from the United States.

Try saying: 很高兴认识你 (hěn gāoxìng rènshí nǐ) – Pleased to meet you.

Asking "How Are You"

You can ask someone how they feel with 你好吗？(nǐ hǎo ma?). If someone asks you, answer with 很好 (hěn hǎo) – very good. These simple phrases help you start conversations and make friends.

Essential Polite Mandarin Words

Thank You and Please

Politeness matters a lot in Chinese culture. When you use the right mandarin words, you show respect and make a good impression. The most common way to say "thank you" is 谢谢 (xièxiè). You can use it when someone helps you, gives you something, or does you a favor. Try saying it with a smile—people will appreciate it!

To ask for something politely, use 请 (qǐng), which means "please." You might say, “请给我菜单” (qǐng gěi wǒ càidān) if you want the menu at a restaurant. These phrases help you sound friendly and respectful.

Tip: In Mandarin, being polite is more than just words. It’s about showing respect, keeping harmony, and building good relationships.

Here are some polite ideas that are important in Chinese culture:

• 客套话 (kètàohuà): Polite words and formulae

• 面子 (miànzi): Saving face and showing respect

• 礼尚往来 (lǐ shàng wǎng lái): Giving back when someone helps you

Apologizing

Sometimes you make mistakes. That’s okay! You can say 对不起 (duì bù qǐ) to apologize. If someone says sorry to you, you can reply with 没关系 (méi guānxi), which means “it’s okay” or “no problem.”

Here’s how you might use these phrases in real life:

Using these simple words helps you connect with people and keeps conversations smooth.

Everyday Mandarin Words for Conversation

Simple Questions

When you talk with someone in Mandarin, you often need to ask questions. Here are some useful mandarin words and phrases you can use every day:

• 什么 (shénme) – what

• 谁 (shéi) – who

• 哪里 (nǎlǐ) – where

You can use these words to ask simple questions. For example:

• 这是什么？(zhè shì shénme?) – What is this?

• 他是谁？(tā shì shéi?) – Who is he?

• 厕所在哪里？(cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?) – Where is the bathroom?

Try using these phrases when you meet new people or visit new places. They help you get the information you need.

Expressing Understanding

Sometimes you understand what someone says. Other times, you might feel lost. Here are two phrases that help you in both situations:

• 我懂 (wǒ dǒng) – I understand

• 我不懂 (wǒ bù dǒng) – I don’t understand

If you need help, you can also ask: 你会说英语吗？(nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ ma?) – Can you speak English?

Don’t be afraid to say "i don’t understand" if you need someone to repeat or explain. Most people will be happy to help.

Many language learning platforms, like Yoyo Chinese, use real-life dialogues and slow-speed audio to help you practice these phrases. This makes it easier to understand how people speak in daily life. Here’s how these tools help:

Coachers.org also gives you a chance to practice these words and phrases with real coaches. You get feedback and build confidence in every session.

Mandarin Words for Dining and Shopping

Ordering Food

Eating out in China can feel exciting. You just need a few mandarin words to order like a pro. Start with 我要 (wǒ yào), which means "I want." You can say, “我要这个” (wǒ yào zhège) for “I want this.” If you want to see the menu, ask for 菜单 (càidān). Try saying, “请给我菜单” (qǐng gěi wǒ càidān) — “Please give me the menu.” These phrases help you order food, make special requests, or ask about ingredients.

Tip: Pointing to a dish and saying 我要这个 makes ordering easy, even if you can’t read the menu.

Asking Price

Shopping in markets or paying for your meal? You will need to ask, “多少钱?” (duō shǎo qián) — “How much is this?” This question works everywhere, from street food stalls to souvenir shops. Sellers often expect you to ask about prices, so don’t be shy.

Here are some handy phrases for shopping and dining:

• 这个多少钱？(zhège duō shǎo qián?) – How much is this?

• 能便宜一点吗？(néng piányi yīdiǎn ma?) – Can it be cheaper?

• 有没有别的？(yǒu méiyǒu bié de?) – Do you have something else?

Paying and Thanking

When you finish eating or shopping, you might want to say, “我想付钱” (wǒ xiǎng fù qián) — I want to pay. You can also use “i want to pay” in English if you get stuck, but the Mandarin version will impress locals. After paying, remember to say 谢谢 (xièxiè) to show your gratitude.

Using these phrases makes dining and shopping much smoother. You will feel more confident every time you use them.

Travel and Directions in Mandarin

Asking Directions

Traveling in a new city can feel confusing. You might need to ask for help. In Mandarin, you can say 在哪里 (zài nǎlǐ) to ask "where is...?" For example, if you need a restroom, just ask, "where is the bathroom?" People will understand and point you in the right direction. If you want to know how to get somewhere, try 怎么走 (zěnme zǒu), which means "how do I get there?"

Tip: If you get stuck, use gestures or show the place name on your phone. Most people want to help, even if you don’t speak perfect Mandarin.

Transportation Words

Getting around is easier when you know a few key words:

You can ask, “地铁站在哪里?” (dìtiě zhàn zài nǎlǐ?) for "Where is the subway station?" Try using these words when you buy tickets or ask for directions.

Travel experts suggest you keep a translation app handy, use hand signals, and stay patient. Locals often want to help you find your way.

Emergency Phrases

Sometimes, you need help fast. Here are some phrases that can help in an emergency:

• 帮助! (bāngzhù!) – Help!

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

• 医院 (yīyuàn) – hospital

• 我需要看医生 (wǒ xūyào kàn yīshēng) – I need to see a doctor

• 这里有火灾 (zhèlǐ yǒu huǒzāi) – There’s a fire

If you need a doctor, you can ask, “我现在可以见医生吗?” (wǒ xiànzài kěyǐ jiàn yīshēng ma?). These phrases help you stay safe and get help quickly.

Mandarin Words Pronunciation Tips

Mandarin Tones

Mandarin uses tones to change the meaning of words. If you say a word with the wrong tone, people might not understand you. Each syllable in Mandarin has a tone. There are five tones in total. Check out this table to see how they work:

Tones matter a lot in Mandarin. If you mix them up, you might say a completely different word!

Here are some things you should know:

• Tones directly affect the meaning of words.

• Miscommunication happens if you use the wrong tone.

• Many beginners skip tone practice, but it is super important.

You will also hear about "tone sandhi." For example, when two third tones are together, the first one changes to a second tone. The word "不" (bù) also changes its tone before another fourth tone. These small changes make your speech sound more natural.

Common Mistakes

Many beginners struggle with Mandarin pronunciation. Sometimes, you might say a word like "quan" but it sounds like "Tran." This happens when you do not practice the sounds enough. If you break up the word or use the wrong tone, people may not understand you. These mistakes can make conversations confusing.

Try to listen closely to native speakers. Repeat what you hear and pay attention to every sound.

Practice Tips

You can improve your pronunciation with a few simple habits:

1. Practice tones every day. Say them out loud and listen to recordings.

2. Record yourself and compare your voice to native speakers.

3. Use apps or online tools to check your pronunciation.

4. Join a live session with a coach. Get feedback and fix mistakes early.

Remember, everyone makes mistakes at first. Keep practicing, and you will get better!

Learn Mandarin Words with Coachers.org

Flexible Online Learning

You want to learn Mandarin on your own schedule. Coachers.org makes that possible. You can join lessons from anywhere in the world. All you need is an internet connection. The platform offers both group and private sessions. You choose what fits your style best. You can focus on conversational Chinese for daily life or business Chinese for your career.

You can learn at your own pace. No need to rush or feel left behind.

People from many backgrounds use online Mandarin coaching. Local students, business professionals, and even government employees join these classes. In places like Saudi Arabia and Southeast Asia, more people want to learn Mandarin every year. Confucius Institutes and other programs show how global Mandarin learning has become.

Personalized Coaching

You get more than just lessons. Coachers.org gives you a personal coach who helps you reach your goals. Your coach tailors each session to your needs. This approach helps you grow faster and feel more confident.

• Personalized coaching supports your personal and professional growth.

• Mandarin skills can open doors for your career.

• Learning with a coach helps you connect with Chinese culture and new opportunities.

You can ask questions, practice real conversations, and get feedback right away.

Become a Coacher

Do you love teaching? You can join the "Become a Coacher" program. Coachers.org trains and certifies new coaches. You get support, flexible hours, and a chance to teach students from all over the world. You help others learn while building your own skills and career.

With Coachers.org, you can learn, grow, and even teach—no matter where you live.

Mastering these Mandarin words helps you talk with people in real life. Practice every day and you will see progress. Coachers.org gives you unlimited 1-on-1 or group sessions, expert coaches, and interactive tools. You get a learning experience made just for you. Ready to start? Start learning today!

FAQ

How long does it take to learn basic Mandarin words?

You can start using simple Mandarin words in just a few days. Practice every day, and you will see progress quickly.

Do I need to know Chinese characters to speak Mandarin?

No, you can speak Mandarin using pinyin. Learning characters helps later, but you can start with just speaking and listening.

Can I practice Mandarin with a real person online?

Yes! You can join live sessions on Coachers.org. Real coaches help you practice speaking and answer your questions.