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
电影diàn yǐngmovie; film; CL:部
电梯diàn tīelevator; escalator; CL:臺|台
电脑diàn nǎocomputer; CL:臺|台[tái]
电视diàn shìtelevision; TV; CL:臺|台
男人nán réna man; a male; men
看见kàn jiànto see; to catch sight of
眼睛yǎn jingeye; CL:隻|只; 雙|双[shuāng]
睡觉shuì jiàoto go to bed; to sleep
知道zhī dàoto know; to be aware of; also pron. [zhī dao]
第一dì yīfirst; number one
米饭mǐ fàn(cooked) rice
羊肉yáng ròumutton
老师lǎo shīteacher; CL:個|个; 位[wèi]
考试kǎo shìto take an exam; exam; CL:次[cì]
而且ér qiě(not only ...) but also; moreover; in addition
耳朵ěr duoear; CL:隻|只; 個|个
聪明cōng mingacute (of sight and hearing); clever; intelligent
自行车zì xíng chēbicycle; bike; CL:輛|辆[liàng]
苹果píng guǒapple; CL:個|个; 顆|颗[kē]
菜单cài dānmenu; CL:份; 張|张[zhāng]
蛋糕dàn gāocake; CL:塊|块; 個|个[gè]
衣服yī fuclothes; CL:件; 套[tào]
表演biǎo yǎnplay; show; performance
表示biǎo shìto express; to show; to say
衬衫chèn shānshirt; blouse; CL:件[jiàn]