Most Common Chinese Expressions is built for learners who want useful Chinese vocabulary in a clean reference format instead of a long, fluffy article.
Ready to level up your Mandarin with a few friendly phrases? Scroll to the bottom of the article for the free printable chinese vocabulary list list PDF and the free downloadable printable chinese list flashcards—your future self will thank you for the easy review.
Use this list as a starting point, then keep going in the Yak Yacker Chinese section for more words, phrases, and study-friendly reference pages.
Quick Quiz
The quiz is optional, but it’s a nice way to spot words you still need to learn.
Keep building your Simplified Chinese
Choose a practical next step when you are ready.
Browse the Full List
| Expression | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 一起 | yī qǐ | in the same place; together; with |
| 丈夫 | zhàng fu | husband; CL:個|个[gè] |
| 上午 | shàng wǔ | morning; CL:個|个[gè] |
| 上班 | shàng bān | to go to work; to be on duty; to start work |
| 下午 | xià wǔ | afternoon; CL:個|个[gè]; p.m. |
| 下雨 | xià yǔ | to rain; rainy |
| 不客气 | bù kè qi | you're welcome; impolite; rude |
| 东西 | dōng xi | thing; stuff; person |
| 中午 | zhōng wǔ | noon; midday; CL:個|个[gè] |
| 中国 | Zhōng guó | China; Middle Kingdom |
| 事情 | shì qing | affair; matter; thing |
| 什么 | shén me | what?; who?; something |
| 今天 | jīn tiān | today; at the present; now |
| 介绍 | jiè shào | to introduce (sb to sb); to give a presentation; to present (sb for a job etc) |
| 休息 | xiū xi | rest; to rest |
| 但是 | dàn shì | but; however |
| 便宜 | pián yi | small advantages; to let sb off lightly; cheap |
| 儿子 | ér zi | son |
| 先生 | xiān sheng | teacher; husband; doctor (topolect) |
| 公共汽车 | gōng gòng qì chē | bus; CL:輛|辆; 班[bān] |
| 公司 | gōng sī | (business) company; company; firm |
| 公园 | gōng yuán | public park; CL:場|场[chǎng] |
| 公斤 | gōng jīn | kilogram (kg) |
| 关系 | guān xì | variant of 關係|关系[guān xì] |
| 再见 | zài jiàn | goodbye; see you again later |
Free Chinese Vocabulary List and Flashcard PDFs to Download
Grab the purple vocab-list button for the chinese vocabulary list list PDF, or hit the teal flashcards button for the chinese list flashcards. Both downloads are 100% free and require no signup.

