🇨🇳Chine · Taïwan · Singapour
Mandarin Chinese vocabulary: 29 essential words to communicate
Script: Caractères chinois simplifiés + Pinyin
Learn essential Mandarin Chinese vocabulary with 29 words and phrases organized by theme. Perfect for beginners and travellers who want to communicate confidently.
29words & phrases
4themes
ENtranslations
Greetings & politeness
| 普通话 | Romanization | English | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 你好 | Nǐ hǎo | Hello | 你好！你吃饭了吗？ |
| 您好 | Nín hǎo | Hello (formal) | 您好，请问有什么可以帮您？ |
| 早上好 | Zǎoshang hǎo | Good morning | 早上好！今天天气不错。 |
| 谢谢 | Xièxiè | Thank you | 谢谢你的帮助！ |
| 不客气 | Bú kèqì | You're welcome | ,谢谢！,不客气。 |
| 对不起 | Duìbuqǐ | I'm sorry / Excuse me | 对不起，我来晚了。 |
| 请 | Qǐng | Please | 请坐。 |
| 再见 | Zàijiàn | Goodbye | 再见！保重。 |
| 幸会 | Xìnghuì | Nice to meet you | 幸会，我叫李明。 |
| 晚安 | Wǎn'ān | Good night | 晚安，好梦！ |
Travel & navigation
| 普通话 | Romanization | English | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| ...在哪里？ | ...Zài nǎlǐ? | Where is...? | 厕所在哪里？ |
| 地铁 | Dìtiě | The subway | 坐地铁去天安门。 |
| 机场 | Jīchǎng | The airport | 去机场怎么走？ |
| 火车站 | Huǒchēzhàn | The train station | 火车站在哪儿？ |
| 多少钱？ | Duōshǎo qián? | How much is it? | 这个多少钱？ |
| 右边 / 左边 | Yòubiān / Zuǒbiān | To the right / To the left | 往右边走。 |
| 打车 | Dǎchē | Take a taxi | 我们打车去吧。 |
Food & restaurant
| 普通话 | Romanization | English | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 菜单 | Càidān | The menu | 请给我菜单。 |
| 买单 | Mǎidān | The bill | 服务员，买单！ |
| 好吃 | Hǎo chī | Delicious | 这个菜好吃极了！ |
| 我要... | Wǒ yào... | I want... | 我要一碗面条。 |
| 辣 | Là | Spicy | 这个菜很辣！ |
| 不吃... | Bù chī... | I don't eat... | 我不吃猪肉。 |
Business & key expressions
| 普通话 | Romanization | English | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 合作 | Hézuò | Cooperation / Partnership | 期待与贵公司合作。 |
| 合同 | Hétong | The contract | 请审阅合同。 |
| 我同意 | Wǒ tóngyì | I agree | 我同意您的建议。 |
| 没问题 | Méi wèntí | No problem | 没问题，我来安排。 |
| 考虑一下 | Kǎolǜ yīxià | Let me think about it | 请给我时间考虑一下。 |
| 我不明白 | Wǒ bù míngbái | I don't understand | 对不起，我不明白。 |
Learn Mandarin Chinese with a native teacher
Vocabulary is the foundation. But to speak fluently, nothing beats live classes with a native teacher. Targumi offers Mandarin Chinese classes in small groups, 2 sessions per week, with passionate teachers.
30-day money-back guarantee
Cultural immersion in Mandarin Chinese
Films, TV shows, music and podcasts to practise Mandarin Chinese every day.