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.
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| Expression | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 姐姐 | jiě jie | older sister; CL:個|个[gè] |
| 学习 | xué xí | to learn; to study |
| 学校 | xué xiào | school; CL:所[suǒ] |
| 学生 | xué sheng | student; schoolchild |
| 孩子 | hái zi | child |
| 安静 | ān jìng | quiet; peaceful; calm |
| 宾馆 | bīn guǎn | guesthouse; lodge; hotel |
| 对不起 | duì bu qǐ | unworthy; to let down; I'm sorry |
| 小姐 | xiǎo jie | young lady; miss; (slang) prostitute |
| 小时 | xiǎo shí | hour; CL:個|个[gè] |
| 工作 | gōng zuò | to work; (of a machine) to operate; job |
| 左边 | zuǒ bian | left; the left side; to the left of |
| 已经 | yǐ jīng | already |
| 希望 | xī wàng | to wish for; to desire; hope CL:個|个[gè] |
| 帮助 | bāng zhù | assistance; aid; to help |
| 帮忙 | bāng máng | to help; to lend a hand; to do a favor |
| 干净 | gān jìng | clean; neat |
| 开始 | kāi shǐ | to begin; beginning; to start |
| 弟弟 | dì di | younger brother; CL:個|个; 位[wèi] |
| 当然 | dāng rán | only natural; as it should be; certainly |
| 必须 | bì xū | to have to; must; compulsory |
| 快乐 | kuài lè | happy; merry |
| 怎么 | zěn me | variant of 怎麼|怎么[zěn me] |
| 怎么样 | zěn me yàng | how?; how about?; how was it? |
| 意思 | yì si | idea; opinion; meaning |
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.

