The Ultimate Chinese Vocabulary Guide: 80 Lists to Build Your Word Bank

Thank you in Chinese is as simple as saying 谢谢 (xiè xiè) and bowing. Or is it? Here we show you seven different ways to say “thank you” in Chinese in a variety of…

Arm yourself against accidental cultural faux pas with six ways to say sorry in Chinese. Learn when to use which phrase and how to respond when you’re the recipient of the…

There are lots of ways to say “and” in Chinese. 和 (hé) might be your go-to translation, but did you know that there plenty of other ways to connect two things in…

You need to know more than just 不 to say no in Chinese. Native speakers rarely use 不 on its own, and if you want to blend in, you shouldn’t either. Click here to learn…

You might want to say “good luck” in Chinese for any number of occasions: Tests, weddings, new jobs… In Chinese, there are different ways to wish someone the best…

You’ll probably need 没有 (méi yǒu) when 不 (bù) doesn’t do the trick. Though both can be translated as “no” or “not” in a sense, 没有 will help you say that you…

Learn these useful Chinese feeling words in this complete guide to emotions. Aside from learning 20 new words for both positive and negative emotions, you’ll learn how to…

Knowing these 33 everyday Chinese words and phrases will put you well on your way to making great friends and lasting memories while on your trip!

Ready to learn lots of Chinese color vocabulary? Click here for a mega list of 86 Chinese colors, you’ll be able to talk about any shade from vermilion to beige. You’ll…

Go beyond just learning the names of animals in Chinese and learn all their cultural significance and fascinating symbolism. This list of 60 animals in Chinese includes…

Let’s go beyond head, shoulders, knees and toes! This definitive list of over 70 words and expressions for Chinese body parts will take your vocabulary from preschool…

Learn the seasons in Chinese, and discover useful Chinese vocabulary associated with each one. You’ll read about the weather in China and important seasonal holidays.…

We’re serving up 34 vegetables in Chinese for learners who are looking to add some essential vocab to their diet! Learn how to say common vegetables in Chinese, as well as…

Learning Chinese numbers is essential for achieving Mandarin fluency. Click here to read this simple guide to counting in Chinese, including Chinese numbers zero to a…

If you want to learn how to tell the time in Chinese, read this ultimate guide. You’ll find how to tell time, count the hours, minutes and quarters, use time-related…

Want to learn the days of the week in Chinese? We’ll teach you all three ways to say the days in Chinese: xīng qī, zhōu and lǐ bài (including pronunciation…

Learn how to say all 12 months in Chinese, as well as the Chinese holidays. Additionally, we cover years and dates in Mandarin, along with useful phrases for describing…

If you’re ever in China, knowing medical terms in Chinese could be just as lifesaving as being able to ask “where’s the bathroom?” Click here to learn over 50 Chinese…

Family is one of the first subjects Chinese learners should be fluent in! Here are 38 essential vocab words for navigating family and friend relationships.

Are you introducing your Chinese friend to your family? Or maybe you’re meeting your Chinese friend’s parents. Here are all the vocab and phrases you need for family…

Learn how to talk about your hobbies in Chinese with this list of 20 common vocabulary words for various pastimes and interests. Plus, we’ll teach you some Chinese words…

Learning Chinese and love soccer/football? Look no further – here’s the ultimate guide to Chinese vocabulary for football/soccer & the World Cup.

Are you looking for a business Chinese vocabulary list for foreign companies in Chinese? You’ve come to the right place.

Wondering how to write an email in Chinese for business purposes, or just generally? Get all the basics down with our five-step guide! We’ve also included key Chinese…

Do you know how to say “online marketing” in Mandarin Chinese? Our business Chinese vocabulary list for consultants has you covered – enjoy!

Chinese is a must-have language for international business. Learn these 26 important and practical Chinese vocabulary words today!

钱 (qián) is money in Chinese, but do you know other vocabulary and phrases to talk about financial exchanges? We’ll help you learn Chinese words and phrases that you…

Learning how to congratulate someone in Chinese is a simple yet important lesson. Offering praise, encouragement and support for others is a part of daily life, especially…

Want to show cultural sensitivity when talking about delicate topics in Chinese? Here are the advanced phrases you’ll need for the most important euphemisms!

While it may seem confusing at first, Chinese internet slang can be very rewarding to learn and opens up a whole new sphere of communication with fellow Chinese netizens.…

Chinese number slang is a big part of Chinese internet slang, so it’s worth any Mandarin learner’s time. From 520 (I love you) to 250 (idiot), discover the meaning behind…

When learning any language, it’s important to go beyond the textbook words and understand what’s going on in reality with the locals. Learning Mandarin slang words will…

Want to really impress your Chinese friends? Next time you go out, order a mojito in Mandarin Chinese. Our Chinese Vocabulary Word List is just what you need.

We all know the simple 干杯 and 买单. However, the next time you out with a bunch of Chinese friends, try these top 5 phrases that come in handy during eating. You…

Our key Chinese restaurant phrases will help you eat your way through China, from street food to fine dining. Order, eat and pay like a native Chinese speaker!

Want that caffeine fix quick? Better learn how to order coffee in Chinese like the locals do. Here’s your guide to ordering drinks, sizes, add-ons and more.

Stumped by Chinese idioms? What does “nine cows, one cow hair” even mean?! Well, this post is for you. It includes 34 chengyu, their English meanings, a brief explanation…

Want to learn about Chinese proverbs? Here are detailed explanations of 10 Chinese proverbs that will inspire you.

Learn 14 Chinese proverbs about love and romance while expanding your vocabulary in Chinese. Read on for a fun guide that breaks down each of these Chinese phrases, with…

Want to hear some hilarious Mandarin expressions? These 9 funny Chinese slang words and phrases will help you achieve fluency faster!

Do you have plans for the weekend yet? Learn these Mandarin Chinese phrases for eating, drinking, partying, shopping, dating and hanging out with friends!

Going shopping in China? For the best bargains, arm yourself with these must-know Mandarin Chinese shopping phrases!

Many international brands have entered the Chinese market—and succeeded. Here’s how they’ve translated their brand names into powerful Chinese names. Cool!

Do you know how to say “pants” in Chinese? How about “cufflinks”? If you’re curious, we’ve got that and more in this Chinese vocabulary word list for clothing

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, here are 14 useful Chinese vocabulary words and phrases using the word “heart”!

Do you know about the Chinese ghost month? Here are 10 Chinese vocabulary words about the ghost month, which is the seventh month of the lunar calendar.

The Tomb Sweeping Qingming Festival is one of the biggest holidays in China! Learn the top 8 vocabulary words for the Qingming Festival.

Chinese New Year greetings are a must if you’re learning Mandarin, have Chinese friends or plan to take a trip to China in the wintertime. Click here to learn 30 Chinese…

Complete Chinese vocab word list for Christmas and New Year’s – everything from Santa to eggnog! Just one of our many Chinese vocabulary word lists!

You can’t have Christmas without knowing these phrases. Grab some eggnog, here goes!

Learn 10 of the most popular Chinese Christmas greetings and traditions (cultural context included), and prepare to spread holiday cheer through Chinese language and…

Want to celebrate Chinese Father’s Day? Similar in spirit to the American holiday, Father’s Day in China is celebrated on August 8. Click here for 8 phrases you can tell…

How do you say “happy birthday” in Chinese Mandarin? The simplest way is 生日快乐 (shēng rì kuài lè), but there are plenty of others! Use the Chinese birthday…

Knowing how to ask for directions in Chinese is a vital skill to have. You do not want to be lost and not even be able to ask for help! We’ve put together a complete guide…

Mandarin Chinese pick up lines don’t really exist. Instead, picking someone up in Chinese is a subtle, delicate art. Here’s how to do pick up lines in Chinese.

A language barrier can be most frustrating when you’re trying to cross it for love. Here are 20+ phrases plus key cultural context for flirting in Chinese.

The more you learn Chinese, the more you’ll come across these Chinese terms of endearment. They’re charming nicknames Chinese people give their loved ones to show…

If you speak Chinese and have been to China, you probably know that Chinese people love to compliment foreigners on their Chinese. Next time you get complimented, instead…

Learn 13 beautiful Chinese words with unexpected origins! When you break down the characters of these simple Chinese words, you’ll find surprising and beautiful hidden…

What are the hardest Chinese words to pronounce? We’ve listed them down here, with audio and step-by-step explanations so you’ll get the hang of saying them! Master…

Chinese words are found all over English vocabulary. We’ll cover 27 terms used in English and what words they come from in Chinese. From dog breeds to delicious food…

Do you know how to bark in Chinese? Here are 22 Chinese animal sounds you’ll love learning and saying!

Zing! Boom! Tic toc! Can you buzz and tweet in Chinese? Here are 10 main types of Chinese onomatopoeia that you’ll have fun saying!

Learn all about the most common Chinese measure words and how to use them correctly so you can be confident with your Chinese. Cigarettes, pants, people, beers—there are…