50 Essential Words You Need to Know for Chinese at the A1 Level

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Learning a new language can be an exciting yet challenging endeavor. If you’re just starting your journey with Mandarin Chinese, you’re in for a treat. The language is rich in history and culture, and mastering it can open up a world of opportunities. However, starting with the basics is crucial. Knowing essential words will help you navigate everyday conversations and build a solid foundation for further learning. In this article, we will explore 50 essential words you need to know for Chinese at the A1 level.

1. 你好 (nǐ hǎo) – Hello

Starting with one of the most fundamental words, „你好“ means „hello.“ It’s the standard greeting in Chinese and is used in both formal and informal settings.

2. 谢谢 (xièxie) – Thank You

Expressing gratitude is important in any language. „谢谢“ means „thank you“ and is used to show appreciation.

3. 不客气 (bú kèqi) – You’re Welcome

In response to „谢谢,“ you can say „不客气,“ which means „you’re welcome.“ This phrase is often used to politely acknowledge thanks.

4. 是 (shì) – Yes

The word „是“ means „yes“ or „to be.“ It’s a versatile word that you’ll encounter frequently.

5. 不是 (bù shì) – No

To say „no“ in Chinese, you can use „不是.“ It’s the negative form of „是.“

6. 请 (qǐng) – Please

„请“ means „please“ and is used to make polite requests.

7. 对不起 (duìbuqǐ) – Sorry

If you need to apologize, you can say „对不起,“ which means „sorry.“

8. 没关系 (méi guānxi) – It’s Okay

In response to an apology, you can say „没关系,“ which means „it’s okay“ or „no problem.“

9. 再见 (zàijiàn) – Goodbye

„再见“ means „goodbye“ and is used when parting ways.

10. 名字 (míngzi) – Name

To ask for someone’s name, you can use the word „名字,“ which means „name.“

11. 什么 (shénme) – What

„什么“ means „what“ and is used in questions to inquire about something.

12. 哪里 (nǎlǐ) – Where

To ask about a location, you can use „哪里,“ which means „where.“

13. 谁 (shéi) – Who

„谁“ means „who“ and is used to ask about a person.

14. 为什么 (wèishénme) – Why

„为什么“ means „why“ and is used to ask for reasons or explanations.

15. 怎么 (zěnme) – How

„怎么“ means „how“ and is used to inquire about the manner or method of something.

16. 多少 (duōshǎo) – How Many/How Much

To ask about quantity, you can use „多少,“ which means „how many“ or „how much.“

17. 这个 (zhège) – This

The word „这个“ means „this“ and is used to refer to something close by.

18. 那个 (nàge) – That

„那个“ means „that“ and is used to refer to something farther away.

19. 这里 (zhèlǐ) – Here

To indicate a location close by, you can use „这里,“ which means „here.“

20. 那里 (nàlǐ) – There

„那里“ means „there“ and is used to indicate a location farther away.

21. 我 (wǒ) – I/Me

The word „我“ means „I“ or „me“ and is used to refer to oneself.

22. 你 (nǐ) – You

„你“ means „you“ and is used to address someone directly.

23. 他 (tā) – He/Him

„他“ means „he“ or „him“ and is used to refer to a male person.

24. 她 (tā) – She/Her

„她“ means „she“ or „her“ and is used to refer to a female person.

25. 我们 (wǒmen) – We/Us

The word „我们“ means „we“ or „us“ and is used to refer to a group including oneself.

26. 你们 (nǐmen) – You (plural)

„你们“ means „you“ in the plural form and is used to address a group of people.

27. 他们 (tāmen) – They/Them (male or mixed group)

„他们“ means „they“ or „them“ when referring to a group of males or a mixed group.

28. 她们 (tāmen) – They/Them (female)

„她们“ means „they“ or „them“ when referring to a group of females.

29. 这 (zhè) – This

„这“ is a simpler form of „这个“ and also means „this.“

30. 那 (nà) – That

„那“ is a simpler form of „那个“ and means „that.“

31. 吗 (ma) – Question Particle

The particle „吗“ is used at the end of a sentence to turn it into a yes/no question.

32. 的 (de) – Possessive Particle

„的“ is a possessive particle used to indicate ownership, similar to ‘s in English.

33. 了 (le) – Completed Action Particle

The particle „了“ is used to indicate that an action has been completed.

34. 会 (huì) – Can/Be Able To

„会“ means „can“ or „be able to“ and is used to express ability.

35. 去 (qù) – To Go

„去“ means „to go“ and is used to indicate movement from one place to another.

36. 来 (lái) – To Come

„来“ means „to come“ and is used to indicate movement towards the speaker.

37. 吃 (chī) – To Eat

„吃“ means „to eat“ and is a fundamental verb for discussing food.

38. 喝 (hē) – To Drink

„喝“ means „to drink“ and is used to discuss beverages.

39. 看 (kàn) – To Look/To Watch

„看“ means „to look“ or „to watch“ and is used for viewing or observing something.

40. 听 (tīng) – To Listen

„听“ means „to listen“ and is used for hearing or paying attention to sounds.

41. 说 (shuō) – To Speak/To Say

„说“ means „to speak“ or „to say“ and is used for verbal communication.

42. 读 (dú) – To Read

„读“ means „to read“ and is used for reading texts.

43. 写 (xiě) – To Write

„写“ means „to write“ and is used for writing or composing text.

44. 买 (mǎi) – To Buy

„买“ means „to buy“ and is used for purchasing items.

45. 卖 (mài) – To Sell

„卖“ means „to sell“ and is used for selling items.

46. 喜欢 (xǐhuan) – To Like

„喜欢“ means „to like“ and is used to express preferences or fondness for something.

47. 爱 (ài) – To Love

„爱“ means „to love“ and is used to express deep affection or love.

48. 知道 (zhīdào) – To Know

„知道“ means „to know“ and is used to indicate awareness or knowledge of something.

49. 想 (xiǎng) – To Want/To Think

„想“ means „to want“ or „to think“ and is used to express desires or thoughts.

50. 可以 (kěyǐ) – Can/May

„可以“ means „can“ or „may“ and is used to express permission or possibility.

Conclusion

Mastering these 50 essential words will provide you with a strong foundation in Mandarin Chinese. They cover a wide range of everyday situations and will help you navigate basic conversations with confidence. Remember, language learning is a gradual process, so take your time to practice and use these words in context. Happy learning!

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