100 Must-Know Chinese Words for Daily Conversations: HSK 1-2 Vocabulary Guide

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

1. 你好 (nǐ hǎo) - Hello
2. 再见 (zàijiàn) - Goodbye
3. 请 (qǐng) - Please
4. 谢谢 (xièxiè) - Thank you
5. 对不起 (duìbuqǐ) - Sorry
6. 没关系 (méi guānxi) - It's okay
7. 是 (shì) - Yes
8. 不是 (bú shì) - No
9. 好 (hǎo) - Good
10. 不好 (bù hǎo) - Not good

Numbers

11. 一 (yī) - One
12. 二 (èr) - Two
13. 三 (sān) - Three
14. 四 (sì) - Four
15. 五 (wǔ) - Five
16. 六 (liù) - Six
17. 七 (qī) - Seven
18. 八 (bā) - Eight
19. 九 (jiǔ) - Nine
20. 十 (shí) - Ten

Common Verbs

21. 吃 (chī) - To eat
22. 喝 (hē) - To drink
23. 去 (qù) - To go
24. 来 (lái) - To come
25. 看 (kàn) - To see/watch
26. 听 (tīng) - To listen
27. 说 (shuō) - To speak
28. 写 (xiě) - To write
29. 读 (dú) - To read
30. 做 (zuò) - To do/make

Essential Nouns

31. 人 (rén) - Person
32. 朋友 (péngyou) - Friend
33. 家 (jiā) - Home/Family
34. 学校 (xuéxiào) - School
35. 老师 (lǎoshī) - Teacher
36. 学生 (xuésheng) - Student
37. 书 (shū) - Book
38. 车 (chē) - Car
39. 钱 (qián) - Money
40. 水 (shuǐ) - Water

Time and Dates

41. 今天 (jīntiān) - Today
42. 明天 (míngtiān) - Tomorrow
43. 昨天 (zuótiān) - Yesterday
44. 现在 (xiànzài) - Now
45. 小时 (xiǎoshí) - Hour
46. 分钟 (fēnzhōng) - Minute
47. 星期 (xīngqī) - Week
48. 月 (yuè) - Month
49. 年 (nián) - Year
50. 早上 (zǎoshang) - Morning

Common Adjectives

51. 大 (dà) - Big
52. 小 (xiǎo) - Small
53. 多 (duō) - Many
54. 少 (shǎo) - Few
55. 快 (kuài) - Fast
56. 慢 (màn) - Slow
57. 热 (rè) - Hot
58. 冷 (lěng) - Cold
59. 高 (gāo) - Tall/High
60. 矮 (ǎi) - Short/Low

Common Adverbs

61. 很 (hěn) - Very
62. 非常 (fēicháng) - Extremely
63. 经常 (jīngcháng) - Often
64. 有时 (yǒushí) - Sometimes
65. 从不 (cóngbù) - Never
66. 已经 (yǐjīng) - Already
67. 还 (hái) - Still/Also
68. 就 (jiù) - Just
69. 才 (cái) - Only then
70. 一起 (yìqǐ) - Together

Question Words

71. 什么 (shénme) - What
72. 谁 (shéi) - Who
73. 什么时候 (shénme shíhou) - When
74. 哪里 (nǎlǐ) - Where
75. 为什么 (wèishénme) - Why
76. 怎么 (zěnme) - How
77. 几 (jǐ) - How many
78. 哪 (nǎ) - Which
79. 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng) - How about
80. 多少 (duōshǎo) - How much

Useful Expressions

81. 多少 (duōshǎo) - How much/many
82. 多少钱 (duōshǎo qián) - How much money
83. 请问 (qǐngwèn) - Excuse me
84. 没问题 (méi wèntí) - No problem
85. 当然 (dāngrán) - Of course
86. 可能 (kěnéng) - Maybe
87. 不知道 (bù zhīdào) - Don't know
88. 没有 (méiyǒu) - Don't have
89. 可以 (kěyǐ) - Can/May
90. 要 (yào) - Want

Food and Drink

91. 米饭 (mǐfàn) - Rice
92. 面条 (miàntiáo) - Noodles
93. 水果 (shuǐguǒ) - Fruit
94. 蔬菜 (shūcài) - Vegetables
95. 肉 (ròu) - Meat
96. 茶 (chá) - Tea
97. 咖啡 (kāfēi) - Coffee
98. 牛奶 (niúnǎi) - Milk
99. 面包 (miànbāo) - Bread
100. 鸡蛋 (jīdàn) - Egg

Practical Examples and Exercises

To help you master these essential Chinese words, try these exercises:

1. 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.)

2. 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

1. Omitting Measure Words: Always use the correct measure word when counting objects. Incorrect: 三书 (sān shū) Correct: 三本书 (sān běn shū)

2. 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.

3. 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

1. Listening Practice: Pay attention to these essential words in listening exercises, as they often appear in dialogues and instructions.
2. Reading Comprehension: Recognise these words and their contexts in reading passages to understand details accurately.
3. 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.