Introduction
For beginners learning Mandarin Chinese, mastering basic vocabulary is essential for effective communication. This guide will explore 100 must-know Chinese words for daily conversations, tailored for HSK 1-2 learners. These words cover a wide range of topics, including greetings, numbers, common verbs, and essential nouns. By the end of this article, you'll have a solid foundation to build upon as you continue your Mandarin studies.
Greetings and Basic Phrases
- 你好 (nǐ hǎo) - Hello
- 再见 (zàijiàn) - Goodbye
- 请 (qǐng) - Please
- 谢谢 (xièxiè) - Thank you
- 对不起 (duìbuqǐ) - Sorry
- 没关系 (méi guānxi) - It's okay
- 是 (shì) - Yes
- 不是 (bú shì) - No
- 好 (hǎo) - Good
- 不好 (bù hǎo) - Not good
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
Common Verbs
- 吃 (chī) - To eat
- 喝 (hē) - To drink
- 去 (qù) - To go
- 来 (lái) - To come
- 看 (kàn) - To see/watch
- 听 (tīng) - To listen
- 说 (shuō) - To speak
- 写 (xiě) - To write
- 读 (dú) - To read
- 做 (zuò) - To do/make
Essential Nouns
- 人 (rén) - Person
- 朋友 (péngyou) - Friend
- 家 (jiā) - Home/Family
- 学校 (xuéxiào) - School
- 老师 (lǎoshī) - Teacher
- 学生 (xuésheng) - Student
- 书 (shū) - Book
- 车 (chē) - Car
- 钱 (qián) - Money
- 水 (shuǐ) - Water
Time and Dates
- 今天 (jīntiān) - Today
- 明天 (míngtiān) - Tomorrow
- 昨天 (zuótiān) - Yesterday
- 现在 (xiànzài) - Now
- 小时 (xiǎoshí) - Hour
- 分钟 (fēnzhōng) - Minute
- 星期 (xīngqī) - Week
- 月 (yuè) - Month
- 年 (nián) - Year
- 早上 (zǎoshang) - Morning
Common Adjectives
- 大 (dà) - Big
- 小 (xiǎo) - Small
- 多 (duō) - Many
- 少 (shǎo) - Few
- 快 (kuài) - Fast
- 慢 (màn) - Slow
- 热 (rè) - Hot
- 冷 (lěng) - Cold
- 高 (gāo) - Tall/High
- 矮 (ǎi) - Short/Low
Common Adverbs
- 很 (hěn) - Very
- 非常 (fēicháng) - Extremely
- 经常 (jīngcháng) - Often
- 有时 (yǒushí) - Sometimes
- 从不 (cóngbù) - Never
- 已经 (yǐjīng) - Already
- 还 (hái) - Still/Also
- 就 (jiù) - Just
- 才 (cái) - Only then
- 一起 (yìqǐ) - Together
Question Words
- 什么 (shénme) - What
- 谁 (shéi) - Who
- 什么时候 (shénme shíhou) - When
- 哪里 (nǎlǐ) - Where
- 为什么 (wèishénme) - Why
- 怎么 (zěnme) - How
- 几 (jǐ) - How many
- 哪 (nǎ) - Which
- 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng) - How about
- 多少 (duōshǎo) - How much
Useful Expressions
- 多少 (duōshǎo) - How much/many
- 多少钱 (duōshǎo qián) - How much money
- 请问 (qǐngwèn) - Excuse me
- 没问题 (méi wèntí) - No problem
- 当然 (dāngrán) - Of course
- 可能 (kěnéng) - Maybe
- 不知道 (bù zhīdào) - Don't know
- 没有 (méiyǒu) - Don't have
- 可以 (kěyǐ) - Can/May
- 要 (yào) - Want
Food and Drink
- 米饭 (mǐfàn) - Rice
- 面条 (miàntiáo) - Noodles
- 水果 (shuǐguǒ) - Fruit
- 蔬菜 (shūcài) - Vegetables
- 肉 (ròu) - Meat
- 茶 (chá) - Tea
- 咖啡 (kāfēi) - Coffee
- 牛奶 (niúnǎi) - Milk
- 面包 (miànbāo) - Bread
- 鸡蛋 (jīdàn) - Egg
Practical Examples and Exercises
To help you master these essential Chinese words, try these exercises:
- Translate the following sentences into Chinese:
- I want to drink coffee.
- How much is this book?
- She is my friend.
Answers:
- 我要喝咖啡。(Wǒ yào hē kāfēi.)
- 这本书多少钱？(Zhè běn shū duōshǎo qián?)
- 她是我的朋友。(Tā shì wǒ de péngyou.)
- Use the correct measure words to count objects:
- Three books
- Five apples
- Two cups of tea
Answers:
- 三本书 (sān běn shū)
- 五个苹果 (wǔ ge píngguǒ)
- 两杯茶 (liǎng bēi chá)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Omitting Measure Words: Always use the correct measure word when counting objects. Incorrect: 三书 (sān shū) Correct: 三本书 (sān běn shū)
-
Confusing Pronouns: Ensure you use the correct pronouns for clarity. Incorrect: 我喜欢她的车。(Wǒ xǐhuan tā de chē.) - I like his car. Correct: 我喜欢他的车。(Wǒ xǐhuan tā de chē.) - I like her car.
-
Mispronouncing Tones: Pay attention to tones, as incorrect tones can change meanings. Incorrect: 四 (sì) pronounced as "shì" Correct: 四 (sì) with a falling tone
Cultural Insights
Understanding basic Chinese vocabulary can provide insights into Chinese culture. For example, the importance of family is reflected in common words like 家 (jiā) - home/family. Additionally, knowing how to use polite expressions like 请 (qǐng) - please, and 谢谢 (xièxiè) - thank you, can help you navigate social interactions more smoothly.
HSK Exam Tips
- Listening Practice: Pay attention to these essential words in listening exercises, as they often appear in dialogues and instructions.
- Reading Comprehension: Recognise these words and their contexts in reading passages to understand details accurately.
- Writing Section: Use these words correctly in your essays to demonstrate your grasp of basic Chinese vocabulary.
Conclusion
Mastering these 100 essential Chinese words is a foundational step for HSK 1-2 learners. By understanding and using these words in daily conversations, you'll be well-equipped to handle various situations in Mandarin. Remember, consistent practice is key to internalising these concepts. Incorporate these words into your daily Chinese practice, whether you're speaking, writing, or listening.
As you continue your Chinese language journey, you'll find that a solid understanding of basic vocabulary will significantly enhance your overall proficiency. Keep practicing, stay curious about the nuances of these words, and soon you'll be using them with confidence and ease.