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.

Browse the Full List

ExpressionPinyinMeaning
西瓜xī guāwatermelon; CL:條|条[tiáo]
觉得jué deto think; to feel
认识rèn shito know; to recognize; to be familiar with
词语cí yǔword (general term including monosyllables through to short phrases); term (e.g. technical term); expression
说话shuō huàto speak; to say; to talk
谢谢xiè xieto thank; thanks
起床qǐ chuángto get out of bed; to get up
超市chāo shìsupermarket (abbr.); CL:家[jiā]
跑步pǎo bùto walk quickly; to march; to run
跳舞tiào wǔto dance
身体shēn tǐ(human) body; health; CL:個|个[gè]
运动yùn dòngto move; to exercise; sports
迟到chí dàoto arrive late
锻炼duàn liànto engage in physical exercise; to work out; to toughen
问题wèn tíquestion; problem; issue
阿姨ā yímaternal aunt; step-mother; childcare worker
附近fù jìn(in the) vicinity; nearby; neighboring
除了chú lebesides; apart from (... also...); in addition to
非常fēi chángunusual; extraordinary; extreme
颜色yán sècolor; CL:個|个[gè]
飞机fēi jīairplane; CL:架[jià]
饭馆fàn guǎnrestaurant; CL:家[jiā]
高兴gāo xìnghappy; glad; willing (to do sth)
鸡蛋jī dàn(chicken) egg; hen's egg; CL:個|个
鼻子bí zinose; CL:個|个; 隻|只[zhī]