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.

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ExpressionPinyinMeaning
姐姐jiě jieolder sister; CL:個|个[gè]
学习xué xíto learn; to study
学校xué xiàoschool; CL:所[suǒ]
学生xué shengstudent; schoolchild
孩子hái zichild
安静ān jìngquiet; peaceful; calm
宾馆bīn guǎnguesthouse; lodge; hotel
对不起duì bu qǐunworthy; to let down; I'm sorry
小姐xiǎo jieyoung lady; miss; (slang) prostitute
小时xiǎo shíhour; CL:個|个[gè]
工作gōng zuòto work; (of a machine) to operate; job
左边zuǒ bianleft; the left side; to the left of
已经yǐ jīngalready
希望xī wàngto wish for; to desire; hope CL:個|个[gè]
帮助bāng zhùassistance; aid; to help
帮忙bāng mángto help; to lend a hand; to do a favor
干净gān jìngclean; neat
开始kāi shǐto begin; beginning; to start
弟弟dì diyounger brother; CL:個|个; 位[wèi]
当然dāng ránonly natural; as it should be; certainly
必须bì xūto have to; must; compulsory
快乐kuài lèhappy; merry
怎么zěn mevariant of 怎麼|怎么[zěn me]
怎么样zěn me yànghow?; how about?; how was it?
意思yì siidea; opinion; meaning