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
晚上wǎn shangevening; night; CL:個|个[gè]
朋友péng youfriend; CL:個|个; 位[wèi]
服务员fú wù yuánwaiter; waitress; attendant
机场jī chǎngairport; airfield; CL:家
杯子bēi zicup; glass; CL:個|个
根据gēn jùaccording to; based on; basis
桌子zhuō zitable; desk; CL:張|张
椅子yǐ zichair; CL:把; 套[tào]
欢迎huān yíngto welcome; welcome
正在zhèng zàiin the process of (doing something or happening); while (doing)
比赛bǐ sàicompetition (sports etc); match; CL:場|场
比较bǐ jiàoto compare; to contrast; comparatively
水果shuǐ guǒfruit; CL:個|个[gè]
汉语Hàn yǔChinese language; CL:門|门[mén]
没关系méi guān xiit doesn't matter
游泳yóu yǒngswimming; to swim
漂亮piào liangpretty; beautiful
火车站huǒ chē zhàntrain station
爱好ài hàoto like; to take pleasure in; keen on
爸爸bà ba(informal) father; CL:個|个; 位[wèi]
牛奶niú nǎicow's milk; CL:瓶; 杯[bēi]
现在xiàn zàinow; at present; at the moment
生日shēng rìbirthday; CL:個|个[gè]
生病shēng bìngto fall ill
电子diàn zǐelectronic; electron (particle physics)