Most Common Chinese Expressions: Free PDF + Quiz

Most Common Chinese Expressions is built for learners who want useful Chinese vocabulary in a clean reference format instead of a long, fluffy article.

Work through the list at your own pace, check the examples, and use the free Download PDF button under the table when you’re ready to study offline.

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.

Browse the Full List

ExpressionPinyinMeaning
冰箱bīng xiāngicebox; freezer cabinet; refrigerator
准备zhǔn bèipreparation; to prepare; to intend
出现chū xiànto appear; to arise; to emerge
出租车chū zū chētaxi; (Taiwan) rental car
分钟fēn zhōngminute
刚才gāng cái(just) a moment ago
别人bié renother people; others; other person
前面qián miànahead; in front; preceding
办公室bàn gōng shìoffice; business premises; bureau
办法bàn fǎmeans; method; way (of doing sth)
动物dòng wùanimal; CL:隻|只; 群
北京Běi jīngBeijing; capital of People's Republic of China; Peking
北方běi fāngnorth; the northern part a country; China north of the Yellow River
医生yī shēngdoctor; CL:個|个; 位
医院yī yuànhospital; CL:所; 家
厨房chú fángkitchen; CL:間|间[jiān]
去年qù niánlast year
参加cān jiāto participate; to take part; to join
发烧fā shāoto have a high temperature (from illness); to have a fever
发现fā xiànto find; to discover
变化biàn huàchange; variation; to change
可以kě yǐcan; may; possible
可能kě néngmight (happen); possible; probable
右边yòu bianright side; right; to the right
同学tóng xuéto study at the same school; fellow student; classmate