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 |
|---|---|---|
| 晚上 | wǎn shang | evening; night; CL:個|个[gè] |
| 朋友 | péng you | friend; CL:個|个; 位[wèi] |
| 服务员 | fú wù yuán | waiter; waitress; attendant |
| 机场 | jī chǎng | airport; airfield; CL:家 |
| 杯子 | bēi zi | cup; glass; CL:個|个 |
| 根据 | gēn jù | according to; based on; basis |
| 桌子 | zhuō zi | table; desk; CL:張|张 |
| 椅子 | yǐ zi | chair; CL:把; 套[tào] |
| 欢迎 | huān yíng | to welcome; welcome |
| 正在 | zhèng zài | in the process of (doing something or happening); while (doing) |
| 比赛 | bǐ sài | competition (sports etc); match; CL:場|场 |
| 比较 | bǐ jiào | to compare; to contrast; comparatively |
| 水果 | shuǐ guǒ | fruit; CL:個|个[gè] |
| 汉语 | Hàn yǔ | Chinese language; CL:門|门[mén] |
| 没关系 | méi guān xi | it doesn't matter |
| 游泳 | yóu yǒng | swimming; to swim |
| 漂亮 | piào liang | pretty; beautiful |
| 火车站 | huǒ chē zhàn | train station |
| 爱好 | ài hào | to like; to take pleasure in; keen on |
| 爸爸 | bà ba | (informal) father; CL:個|个; 位[wèi] |
| 牛奶 | niú nǎi | cow's milk; CL:瓶; 杯[bēi] |
| 现在 | xiàn zài | now; at present; at the moment |
| 生日 | shēng rì | birthday; CL:個|个[gè] |
| 生病 | shēng bìng | to fall ill |
| 电子 | diàn zǐ | electronic; electron (particle physics) |
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.

