Halloween Vocabulary In Chinese

Learn how to talk about Halloween in simplified Chinese: 万圣节 wànshèngjié. Costumes, candy, pumpkins, ghosts, and all the spooky bits are here, with pinyin so your brain does not have to guess.

Halloween is not originally a Chinese holiday, but the vocabulary shows up in English classes, parties, decorations, social media, and shops. So yes, knowing a few words is actually useful, not just seasonal fluff with a pumpkin face.

Start with the high-frequency words, then grab the real-life phrases and tables below. By the end, you will be able to say things like “That costume is scary,” “Let’s carve a pumpkin,” and “Who ate all the candy?” which is honestly the most urgent Halloween sentence anyway.

Yak Snark Box

Do not panic if you cannot remember all 50 words at once. Native speakers do not wake up every morning thinking about bats, cobwebs, and fake tombstones either. Learn the useful stuff first, then add the spooky extras.

Top Halloween Words You Will Use First

万圣节 wànshèngjié

Halloween

南瓜 nángua

pumpkin

糖果 tángguǒ

candy

鬼 guǐ

ghost

服装 fúzhuāng

costume; clothing

派对 pàiduì

party

吓人 xiàrén

scary

面具 miànjù

mask

Useful Phrases And Real-Life Sentences

万圣节快乐 wànshèngjié kuàilè — Happy Halloween
万圣节快乐！今天晚上一起去派对吧。Wànshèngjié kuàilè! Jīntiān wǎnshang yìqǐ qù pàiduì ba. — Happy Halloween! Let’s go to a party tonight.
不给糖就捣蛋 bù gěi táng jiù dǎodàn — trick or treat
孩子们在门口喊：“不给糖就捣蛋！”Háizimen zài ménkǒu hǎn: “Bù gěi táng jiù dǎodàn!” — The kids shout at the door, “Trick or treat!”
穿服装 chuān fúzhuāng — to wear a costume
他们都穿着万圣节服装。Tāmen dōu chuānzhe wànshèngjié fúzhuāng. — They are all wearing Halloween costumes.
戴面具 dài miànjù — to wear a mask
他戴着面具，我差点没认出来。Tā dàizhe miànjù, wǒ chàdiǎn méi rèn chūlái. — He was wearing a mask, and I almost did not recognize him.
刻南瓜灯 kè nánguādēng — to carve a jack-o’-lantern
我们下午要一起刻南瓜灯。Wǒmen xiàwǔ yào yìqǐ kè nánguādēng. — We are going to carve a jack-o’-lantern together this afternoon.
好可怕 hǎo kěpà — so scary
这个鬼屋真的好可怕。Zhège guǐwū zhēnde hǎo kěpà. — This haunted house is really scary.
有点可爱 yǒudiǎn kě’ài — kind of cute
你的小女巫服装有点可爱。Nǐ de xiǎo nǚwū fúzhuāng yǒudiǎn kě’ài. — Your little witch costume is kind of cute.
发糖果 fā tángguǒ — to hand out candy
我们今晚在门口发糖果。Wǒmen jīnwǎn zài ménkǒu fā tángguǒ. — We are handing out candy at the door tonight.
装饰房间 zhuāngshì fángjiān — to decorate the room
她用蜘蛛网和蝙蝠装饰房间。Tā yòng zhīzhūwǎng hé biānfú zhuāngshì fángjiān. — She decorates the room with cobwebs and bats.
拍照 pāizhào — to take photos
大家先拍照，再开始游戏。Dàjiā xiān pāizhào, zài kāishǐ yóuxì. — Let’s take photos first, then start the games.
化妆 huàzhuāng — to put on makeup
她花了一个小时化妆成吸血鬼。Tā huāle yí gè xiǎoshí huàzhuāng chéng xīxuèguǐ. — She spent an hour doing makeup as a vampire.
太夸张了 tài kuāzhāng le — too dramatic; too over-the-top
这个骷髅装饰太夸张了。Zhège kūlóu zhuāngshì tài kuāzhāng le. — This skeleton decoration is way too over-the-top.

A Quick Note On 万圣节 wànshèngjié

In everyday Chinese, Halloween is usually called 万圣节 wànshèngjié. You may also hear people say 万圣夜 wànshèngyè, which leans more toward “Halloween night.” For beginner use, stick with 万圣节 wànshèngjié. It is the safest choice and sounds normal, which is always a nice life strategy.

Halloween Decorations Vocabulary

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
南瓜	nángua	pumpkin	门口有两个大南瓜。Ménkǒu yǒu liǎng gè dà nángua.	Ménkǒu yǒu liǎng gè dà nángua.	There are two big pumpkins at the door.
南瓜灯	nánguādēng	jack-o’-lantern	这个南瓜灯笑得很奇怪。Zhège nánguādēng xiào de hěn qíguài.	Zhège nánguādēng xiào de hěn qíguài.	This jack-o’-lantern has a very weird smile.
蜡烛	làzhú	candle	桌子上放着几根蜡烛。Zhuōzi shàng fàngzhe jǐ gēn làzhú.	Zhuōzi shàng fàngzhe jǐ gēn làzhú.	There are several candles on the table.
灯笼	dēnglong	lantern	门外的灯笼是橙色的。Ménwài de dēnglong shì chéngsè de.	Ménwài de dēnglong shì chéngsè de.	The lantern outside is orange.
蜘蛛网	zhīzhūwǎng	spider web; cobweb	墙上贴满了假蜘蛛网。Qiáng shàng tiēmǎnle jiǎ zhīzhūwǎng.	Qiáng shàng tiēmǎnle jiǎ zhīzhūwǎng.	The wall is covered with fake cobwebs.
蝙蝠	biānfú	bat	黑色蝙蝠挂在天花板上。Hēisè biānfú guà zài tiānhuābǎn shàng.	Hēisè biānfú guà zài tiānhuābǎn shàng.	Black bats are hanging from the ceiling.
墓碑	mùbēi	tombstone	院子里放了几块假墓碑。Yuànzi lǐ fàngle jǐ kuài jiǎ mùbēi.	Yuànzi lǐ fàngle jǐ kuài jiǎ mùbēi.	There are a few fake tombstones in the yard.
骨头	gǔtou	bone	这个装饰上有很多白色骨头。Zhège zhuāngshì shàng yǒu hěnduō báisè gǔtou.	Zhège zhuāngshì shàng yǒu hěnduō báisè gǔtou.	This decoration has lots of white bones on it.
骷髅	kūlóu	skeleton	那个骷髅会发光。Nàge kūlóu huì fāguāng.	Nàge kūlóu huì fāguāng.	That skeleton glows.
装饰	zhuāngshì	decoration; decorate	这些装饰很有万圣节气氛。Zhèxiē zhuāngshì hěn yǒu wànshèngjié qìfēn.	Zhèxiē zhuāngshì hěn yǒu wànshèngjié qìfēn.	These decorations really have a Halloween vibe.

Costumes And Party Vocabulary

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
服装	fúzhuāng	costume; clothing	你的服装很有创意。Nǐ de fúzhuāng hěn yǒu chuàngyì.	Nǐ de fúzhuāng hěn yǒu chuàngyì.	Your costume is very creative.
化妆	huàzhuāng	to do makeup	她在镜子前化妆。Tā zài jìngzi qián huàzhuāng.	Tā zài jìngzi qián huàzhuāng.	She is doing her makeup in front of the mirror.
面具	miànjù	mask	这个面具看起来很酷。Zhège miànjù kàn qǐlái hěn kù.	Zhège miànjù kàn qǐlái hěn kù.	This mask looks very cool.
假发	jiǎfà	wig	她买了一顶紫色假发。Tā mǎile yì dǐng zǐsè jiǎfà.	Tā mǎile yì dǐng zǐsè jiǎfà.	She bought a purple wig.
披风	pīfēng	cape	吸血鬼的黑色披风很长。Xīxuèguǐ de hēisè pīfēng hěn cháng.	Xīxuèguǐ de hēisè pīfēng hěn cháng.	The vampire’s black cape is very long.
女巫	nǚwū	witch	她打扮成了女巫。Tā dǎban chéngle nǚwū.	Tā dǎban chéngle nǚwū.	She dressed up as a witch.
吸血鬼	xīxuèguǐ	vampire	他想当一个优雅的吸血鬼。Tā xiǎng dāng yí gè yōuyǎ de xīxuèguǐ.	Tā xiǎng dāng yí gè yōuyǎ de xīxuèguǐ.	He wants to be an elegant vampire.
僵尸	jiāngshī	zombie	那个僵尸走路特别慢。Nàge jiāngshī zǒulù tèbié màn.	Nàge jiāngshī zǒulù tèbié màn.	That zombie walks especially slowly.
派对	pàiduì	party	今晚的派对八点开始。Jīnwǎn de pàiduì bā diǎn kāishǐ.	Jīnwǎn de pàiduì bā diǎn kāishǐ.	Tonight’s party starts at eight.
打扮	dǎban	to dress up	你要打扮成什么？Nǐ yào dǎban chéng shénme?	Nǐ yào dǎban chéng shénme?	What are you going to dress up as?

Candy And Trick-Or-Treat Vocabulary

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
糖果	tángguǒ	candy	碗里有很多糖果。Wǎn lǐ yǒu hěnduō tángguǒ.	Wǎn lǐ yǒu hěnduō tángguǒ.	There is a lot of candy in the bowl.
巧克力	qiǎokèlì	chocolate	我最喜欢巧克力。Wǒ zuì xǐhuan qiǎokèlì.	Wǒ zuì xǐhuan qiǎokèlì.	I like chocolate best.
棒棒糖	bàngbangtáng	lollipop	小朋友拿着彩色棒棒糖。Xiǎopéngyou názhe cǎisè bàngbangtáng.	Xiǎopéngyou názhe cǎisè bàngbangtáng.	The child is holding a colorful lollipop.
给	gěi	to give	请给我一颗糖。Qǐng gěi wǒ yì kē táng.	Qǐng gěi wǒ yì kē táng.	Please give me one piece of candy.
发	fā	to hand out	叔叔正在发糖果。Shūshu zhèngzài fā tángguǒ.	Shūshu zhèngzài fā tángguǒ.	The man is handing out candy.
敲门	qiāomén	to knock on the door	孩子们一直在敲门。Háizimen yìzhí zài qiāomén.	Háizimen yìzhí zài qiāomén.	The kids keep knocking on the door.
门口	ménkǒu	doorway; entrance	门口放着一个大碗。Ménkǒu fàngzhe yí gè dà wǎn.	Ménkǒu fàngzhe yí gè dà wǎn.	There is a big bowl at the entrance.
袋子	dàizi	bag	他的袋子已经装满了糖。Tā de dàizi yǐjīng zhuāngmǎnle táng.	Tā de dàizi yǐjīng zhuāngmǎnle táng.	His bag is already full of candy.
不给糖就捣蛋	bù gěi táng jiù dǎodàn	trick or treat	他们笑着说：“不给糖就捣蛋！”Tāmen xiàozhe shuō: “Bù gěi táng jiù dǎodàn!”	Tāmen xiàozhe shuō: “Bù gěi táng jiù dǎodàn!”	They say with a smile, “Trick or treat!”
小朋友	xiǎopéngyou	child; kid	很多小朋友都很兴奋。Hěnduō xiǎopéngyou dōu hěn xīngfèn.	Hěnduō xiǎopéngyou dōu hěn xīngfèn.	A lot of kids are very excited.

Spooky Creatures And Scary Words

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
鬼	guǐ	ghost	电影里有很多鬼。Diànyǐng lǐ yǒu hěnduō guǐ.	Diànyǐng lǐ yǒu hěnduō guǐ.	There are lots of ghosts in the movie.
幽灵	yōulíng	spirit; ghost	白色幽灵飘过窗边。Báisè yōulíng piāoguò chuāngbiān.	Báisè yōulíng piāoguò chuāngbiān.	A white ghost floated past the window.
怪物	guàiwù	monster	这个怪物一点也不可怕。Zhège guàiwù yìdiǎn yě bù kěpà.	Zhège guàiwù yìdiǎn yě bù kěpà.	This monster is not scary at all.
狼人	lángrén	werewolf	他最想演狼人。Tā zuì xiǎng yǎn lángrén.	Tā zuì xiǎng yǎn lángrén.	He most wants to play a werewolf.
木乃伊	mùnǎiyī	mummy	木乃伊服装全是白布。Mùnǎiyī fúzhuāng quán shì bái bù.	Mùnǎiyī fúzhuāng quán shì bái bù.	A mummy costume is all white cloth.
女巫帽	nǚwūmào	witch hat	她的女巫帽又高又尖。Tā de nǚwūmào yòu gāo yòu jiān.	Tā de nǚwūmào yòu gāo yòu jiān.	Her witch hat is tall and pointy.
鬼屋	guǐwū	haunted house	我们不敢进那个鬼屋。Wǒmen bù gǎn jìn nàge guǐwū.	Wǒmen bù gǎn jìn nàge guǐwū.	We do not dare go into that haunted house.
可怕	kěpà	scary; frightening	这个声音很可怕。Zhège shēngyīn hěn kěpà.	Zhège shēngyīn hěn kěpà.	This sound is scary.
吓人	xiàrén	frightening; scary	他的表情特别吓人。Tā de biǎoqíng tèbié xiàrén.	Tā de biǎoqíng tèbié xiàrén.	His expression is especially frightening.
恐怖	kǒngbù	horror; terrifying	我不太喜欢恐怖电影。Wǒ bú tài xǐhuan kǒngbù diànyǐng.	Wǒ bú tài xǐhuan kǒngbù diànyǐng.	I do not really like horror movies.

Actions, Feelings, And Party Extras

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
笑	xiào	to laugh; smile	大家看到他都笑了。Dàjiā kàndào tā dōu xiàole.	Dàjiā kàndào tā dōu xiàole.	Everyone laughed when they saw him.
尖叫	jiānjiào	to scream	她一开门就尖叫了。Tā yì kāimén jiù jiānjiàole.	Tā yì kāimén jiù jiānjiàole.	She screamed as soon as she opened the door.
躲起来	duǒ qǐlái	to hide	弟弟躲起来吓我们。Dìdi duǒ qǐlái xià wǒmen.	Dìdi duǒ qǐlái xià wǒmen.	My younger brother hid to scare us.
拍照	pāizhào	to take photos	我们先拍照再吃东西。Wǒmen xiān pāizhào zài chī dōngxi.	Wǒmen xiān pāizhào zài chī dōngxi.	We will take photos first and then eat.
游戏	yóuxì	game	派对上有很多小游戏。Pàiduì shàng yǒu hěnduō xiǎo yóuxì.	Pàiduì shàng yǒu hěnduō xiǎo yóuxì.	There are lots of little games at the party.
音乐	yīnyuè	music	背景音乐有点神秘。Bèijǐng yīnyuè yǒudiǎn shénmì.	Bèijǐng yīnyuè yǒudiǎn shénmì.	The background music is a bit mysterious.
灯光	dēngguāng	lighting	橙色灯光让房间更有气氛。Chéngsè dēngguāng ràng fángjiān gèng yǒu qìfēn.	Chéngsè dēngguāng ràng fángjiān gèng yǒu qìfēn.	Orange lighting gives the room more atmosphere.
气氛	qìfēn	atmosphere; vibe	这里的气氛真不错。Zhèlǐ de qìfēn zhēn búcuò.	Zhèlǐ de qìfēn zhēn búcuò.	The atmosphere here is really nice.
兴奋	xīngfèn	excited	孩子们都很兴奋。Háizimen dōu hěn xīngfèn.	Háizimen dōu hěn xīngfèn.	The kids are all excited.
恶作剧	èzuòjù	prank; practical joke	别做太过分的恶作剧。Bié zuò tài guòfèn de èzuòjù.	Bié zuò tài guòfèn de èzuòjù.	Do not pull a prank that goes too far.

Useful Variants And Easy Swaps

Word	Pinyin	Close Alternative	Pinyin	Quick Difference
鬼	guǐ	幽灵	yōulíng	鬼 guǐ is the basic everyday word; 幽灵 yōulíng sounds more ghostly or dramatic.
可怕	kěpà	吓人	xiàrén	可怕 kěpà means scary; 吓人 xiàrén emphasizes that something frightens people.
服装	fúzhuāng	打扮	dǎban	服装 fúzhuāng is the costume itself; 打扮 dǎban is the act of dressing up.
装饰	zhuāngshì	布置	bùzhì	装饰 zhuāngshì is decorate or decoration; 布置 bùzhì leans more toward arranging a space.
派对	pàiduì	聚会	jùhuì	派对 pàiduì sounds more like “party”; 聚会 jùhuì is a general gathering.

Quick Practice

Say “That pumpkin is cute.”
那个南瓜很可爱。Nàge nángua hěn kě’ài.
Say “We are handing out candy.”
我们在发糖果。Wǒmen zài fā tángguǒ.
Say “He dressed up as a vampire.”
他打扮成吸血鬼。Tā dǎban chéng xīxuèguǐ.
Say “The haunted house is too scary.”
鬼屋太可怕了。Guǐwū tài kěpà le.
Say “Happy Halloween!”
万圣节快乐！Wànshèngjié kuàilè!

Final Yak Box

If you only remember five things, make them these: 万圣节 wànshèngjié, 南瓜 nángua, 糖果 tángguǒ, 面具 miànjù, and 不给糖就捣蛋 bù gěi táng jiù dǎodàn. That tiny set already lets you survive a Halloween conversation without just pointing at candy and hoping for the best.