CLI has churned through hundreds of videos by ChineseClass101.com to compile this list of 25 videos covering must-know Mandarin vocabulary. We’ve extracted all of the vocabulary into simple lists of nouns, verbs, adjectives, and phrases at the end of this post — click here to jump to the lists. You can also use this link to download a PDF containing the complete 222 word vocabulary list. Enjoy!
#1 Learn 25 Must-Know Chinese Nouns
People, places, things, and ideas — nouns are an elemental part of speech and this video covers 25 essentials.
#2 Learn 25 Must-Know Chinese Verbs
We look to action words (a.k.a. verbs) to keep this Chinese lesson moving.
#3 Learn 25 Chinese Adjectives
Learning Mandarin adjectives is a fast way to spice up your ability. This video covers basics like 大 and 小 or 热 and 冷 while also adding some off-beat flare with words like 恶心 and 臭。
#4 Learn 5 Mandarin Words Pertaining to Studying a Language
It’s crucial to learn verbs and nouns but how do you say ‘verb’ or ‘noun’? What about ‘to study’? This video covers 5 rudimentary words related to studying a language.
#5 Learn 15 Favorite Chinese Words
In this upbeat video with Yuting you’ll review 15 useful words like 喜欢， 对不起，and 尊敬。
#6 Learn 25 Chinese Phrases to Improve Your Fluency
In just under 7 minutes this video covers 25 very practical phrase from how to receive a compliment—哪有，哪有—to “don’t worry, I’ve got it”—放心吧，包在我身上。
#7 Learn 5 Life Events in Mandarin
This short video teaches us the vocabulary for 5 basic life events: to be born, graduation, to work, to get engaged, and the final act—to die.
#8 Learn 5 Subjects of Study in Mandarin
This quick 2 minute video favors history and the sciences. Watch it and learn how to say history, science, physics, biology, and chemistry in Mandarin.
#9 Learn 5 Vegetables in Mandarin
Help prepare yourself for Chinese cuisine by reviewing 5 vegetables in this short 2 minute video.
#10 Learn 5 Mandarin Words Related to Cooking
This video covers 5 words you should know like stir-fry and barbecue.
#11 Learn 5 Flavors in Mandarin
It’s no secret, authentic Chinese food is delicious. This brief 2 minute video covers the 5 main flavors of Chinese cuisine. Dig in.
#12 Learn 5 Tableware Words in Mandarin
Sticking with the theme of food, this next 2 minute video teaches us a few staple tableware items you’ll find at a Chinese meal.
#13 Learn 5 Words Related to Cleaning Using Mandarin
Now that we’ve learned words related to cooking, it’s time to clean up. Learn 5 easy words having to do with cleaning.
#14 Learn 5 Articles of Clothing in Mandarin
Get your outfit ready by learning a few simple words like 帽子，裤子，and the loanword T恤衫。
#15 Learn 5 Clothing Accessories in Mandarin
Now it’s time to accessorize your outfit by using words like 皮带，手表， and 太阳镜。
#16 Learn 5 Mammals in Mandarin
What does the fox say? Who knows, but after watching this video at least you’ll be able to say 狐狸。
#17 Learn 5 Geographic Terms in Mandarin
Desert, lake, river, island, ocean — take 2 minutes and learn them all here.
#18 Learn 5 Mandarin Words You’ll Need When Crossing Borders
Crossing the border is official business and knowing your vocabulary can expedite the process.
#19 Learn 5 Words Related to Tourism in Mandarin
Saying tourism is a major industry in China is a vast understatement. Saying the word 游客, yóukè, is simple.
#20 Learn 5 Words Related to Currency Exchange in Mandarin
Being a 游客 means you’ll need to exchange your local currency for RMB. In this video you will learn some necessary terms to do just that.
#21 Learn 5 Mandarin Words You May Need in a Hotel
With this video in less than 2 minutes you can learn some very practical words you’ll need in a hotel.
#22 Learn 5 Words Describing Personalities in Mandarin
Describing a person’s personality is a common occurrence in any language. This video teaches us 5 useful Mandarin words for describing a person’s disposition.
#23 Learn 5 Mandarin Words Regarding Health Concerns
Health vocabulary is an important set of words to study. This video has 5 simple words to learn.
#24 Learn to Say 5 Difference Sports Using Mandarin
Sports are very popular in China. 足球 and 篮球 are among the most popular. It’s time to get your game on.
#25 Learn How to Say 5 Kinds of Furniture in Mandarin
Pull up a 椅子 and learn 5 pieces of furniture in less than 2 minutes.
jump to top
Vocabulary List
| | Hànzì | Pīnyīn | Definition |
| 1. | 杯子 | bēi zi | cup/glass |
| 2. | 汽车 | qìchē | car |
| 3. | 电脑 | diànnǎo | computer |
| 4. | 手机 | shǒujī | cellphone |
| 5. | 衣服 | yīfu | clothes |
| 6. | 食物 | shíwù | food |
| 7. | 筷子 | kuàizi | chopsticks |
| 8. | 包 | bāo | bag |
| 9. | 水 | shuǐ | water |
| 10. | 咖啡 | kāfēi | coffee |
| 11. | 书 | shū | book |
| 12. | 本子 | běnzi | notebook |
| 13. | 床 | chuáng | bed |
| 14. | 家 | jiā | home |
| 15. | 女人 | nǚrén | woman |
| 16. | 男人 | nánrén | man |
| 17. | 大人 | dàrén | adult |
| 18. | 小孩 | xiǎohái | child |
| 19. | 老人 | lǎorén | old man or woman; the elderly |
| 20. | 学生 | xuéshēng | students |
| 21. | 钱 | qián | money |
| 22. | 米饭 | mǐfàn | rice |
| 23. | 汤 | tāng | soup |
| 24. | 建议 | jiànyì | suggestion |
| 25. | 钱包 | qiánbāo | wallet |
| 26. | 语言 | yǔyán | language |
| 27. | 动词 | dòngcí | verb |
| 28. | 名词 | míngcí | noun |
| 29. | 麻将 | májiàng | mahjong |
| 30. | 尊敬 | zūnjìng | respect |
| 31. | 早 | zǎo | morning |
| 32. | 救护车 | jiùhùchē | ambulance |
| 33. | 科目 | kēmù | subject; course |
| 34. | 历史 | lìshǐ | history |
| 35. | 科学 | kēxué | science |
| 36. | 生物 | shēngwù | biology |
| 37. | 化学 | huàxué | chemistry |
| 38. | 蔬菜 | shūcài | vegetables |
| 39. | 大蒜 | dàsuàn | garlic |
| 40. | 洋葱 | yángcōng | onion |
| 41. | 胡萝卜 | húluóbo | carrot |
| 42. | 花椰菜 | huāyēcài | cauliflower |
| 43. | 茄子 | qiézi | eggplant |
| 44. | 微波炉 | wēibōlú | microwave oven |
| 45. | 炒 | chǎo | stir-fry |
| 46. | 烧烤 | shāokǎo | barbecue |
| 47. | 盐 | yán | salt |
| 48. | 毕业 | bìyè | graduation |
| 49. | 胡椒粉 | hújiāofěn | pepper |
| 50. | 勺子 | sháozi | spoon |
| | Hànzì | Pīnyīn | Definition |
| 51. | 咖啡杯 | kāfēi bēi | coffee mug |
| 52. | 杯子 | bēizi | cup |
| 53. | 盘子 | pánzi | plate |
| 54. | 茶壶 | cháhú | teapot |
| 55. | 家务 | jiāwù | housework |
| 56. | 衣服 | yīfu | clothes |
| 57. | 帽子 | màozi | hat |
| 58. | 裤子 | kùzi | pants |
| 59. | 连衣裙 | liányīqún | dress |
| 60. | 夹克 | jiákè | jacket |
| 61. | T恤衫 | tīxùshān | t-shirt |
| 62. | 伞 | sǎn | umbrella |
| 63. | 太阳镜 | tàiyángjìng | sunglasses |
| 64. | 手套 | shǒutào | glove |
| 65. | 手表 | shǒubiǎo | watch |
| 66. | 皮带 | pídài | belt |
| 67. | 狐狸 | húli | fox |
| 68. | 老虎 | lǎohǔ | tiger |
| 69. | 兔子 | tùzi | rabbit |
| 70. | 狗 | gǒu | dog |
| 71. | 熊猫 | xióngmāo | panda |
| 72. | 地理 | dìlǐ | geography |
| 73. | 沙漠 | shāmò | desert |
| 74. | 河 | hé | river |
| 75. | 海洋 | hǎiyáng | ocean |
| 76. | 岛 | dǎo | island |
| 77. | 湖 | hú | lake |
| 78. | 入境卡 | rù jìng kǎ | entry card |
| 79. | 国籍 | guójí | nationality |
| 80. | 护照 | hùzhào | passport |
| 81. | 海关 | hǎiguān | customs |
| 82. | 签证 | qiānzhèng | visa |
| 83. | 寺院 | sìyuàn | temple |
| 84. | 旅游巴士 | lǚyóu bāshì | tour bus |
| 85. | 游客 | yóukè | tourist |
| 86. | 行程 | xíngchéng | itinerary |
| 87. | 外汇 | wàihuì | foreign exchange |
| 88. | 现金 | xiànjīn | cash |
| 89. | 货币 | huòbì | currency |
| 90. | 美元 | měiyuán | US Dollar |
| 91. | 宾馆 | bīnguǎn | hotel |
| 92. | 前台 | qiántái | front desk |
| 93. | 单人床 | dānrénchuáng | single bed |
| 94. | 客房服务 | kèfáng fúwù | room service |
| 95. | 大厅 | dàtīng | lobby |
| 96. | 性格 | xìnggé | personality; disposition |
| 97. | 出疹子 | chūzhěnzi | to have a rash |
| 98. | 咳嗽 | késou | cough |
| 99. | 恶心 | ěxīn | nausea |
| 100. | 痛 | tòng | pain |
| 101. | 痒 | yǎng | itch |
| 102. | 体操运动 | tǐcāo yùndòng | gymnastics |
| 103. | 篮球 | lánqiú | basketball |
| 104. | 足球 | zúqiú | football / soccer |
| 105. | 乒乓球 | pīngpāngqiú | ping pong |
| 106. | 游泳 | yóuyǒng | swimming |
| 107. | 家具 | jiāju | furniture |
| 108. | 书架 | shūjià | bookshelf |
| 109. | 书桌 | shūzhuō | desk |
| 110. | 椅子 | yǐzi | chair |
| 111. | 沙发 | shāfā | sofa |
| 112. | 桌子 | zhuōzi | table |
| | Hànzì | Pīnyīn | Definition |
| 113. | 死 | sǐ | to die |
| 114. | 学习 | xuéxí | to study |
| 115. | 重复 | chóngfù | to repeat |
| 116. | 喜欢 | xǐhuan | to like |
| 117. | 出生 | chūshēng | to be born |
| 118. | 工作 | gōngzuò | to work |
| 119. | 放弃 | fàngqì | to give up; abandon |
| 120. | 旅游 | lǚyóu | to tour |
| 121. | 兑换 | duìhuàn | convert |
| 122. | 扫地 | sǎodì | to sweep |
| 123. | 拖 | tuō | to mop |
| 124. | 擦 | cā | to wipe |
| 125. | 收拾 | shōushi | to put things away |
| 126. | 洗 | xǐ | to wash |
| 127. | 有 | yǒu | to have |
| 128. | 吃 | chī | to eat |
| 129. | 笑 | xiào | to laugh |
| 130. | 走 | zǒu | to walk |
| 131. | 跑 | pǎo | to run |
| 132. | 喝 | hē | to drink |
| 133. | 过来 | guòlái | to come |
| 134. | 长 | zhǎng | to grow |
| 135. | 回 | huí | to return |
| 136. | 上 | shàng | up |
| 137. | 读 | dú | to read |
| 138. | 游泳 | yóuyǒng | to swim |
| 139. | 跳舞 | tiàowǔ | to dance |
| 140. | 工作 | gōngzuò | to work |
| 141. | 放松 | fàngsōng | to relax |
| 142. | 开车 | kāichē | to drive |
| 143. | 想 | xiǎng | to think |
| 144. | 试试 | shìshi | to try |
| 145. | 愿意 | yuànyì | to be willing to |
| 146. | 开始 | kāishǐ | to start |
| 147. | 停止 | tíngzhǐ | to stop |
| 148. | 敢 | gǎn | to dare |
| 149. | 担心 | dānxīn | to worry |
| 150. | 变化 | biànhuà | to change |
| 151. | 说 | shuō | to say |
| | Hànzì | Pīnyīn | Definition |
| 152. | 好的 | hǎode | okay |
| 153. | 淘气 | táoqì | naughty; mischievous |
| 154. | 热情 | rèqíng | passionate; hospitable |
| 155. | 真棒 | zhēnbàng | awesome |
| 156. | 咸 | xián | salty |
| 157. | 甜 | tián | sweet |
| 158. | 苦 | kǔ | bitter |
| 159. | 辣 | là | spicy |
| 160. | 酸 | suān | sour |
| 161. | 订婚 | dìnghūn | to be engaged (to be married); engagement |
| 162. | 机灵 | jīling | smart |
| 163. | 烦人的 | fánrénde | annoying |
| 164. | 活泼 | huópo | lively; bubbly |
| 165. | 脾气不好的 | píqì bùhǎode | short-tempered |
| 166. | 自豪的 | zìháode | proud |
| 167. | 漂亮 | piàoliang | pretty |
| 168. | 好 | hǎo | good; kind; nice |
| 169. | 明亮 | míngliàng | bright |
| 170. | 大 | dà | big |
| 171. | 小 | xiǎo | small |
| 172. | 高 | gāo | tall |
| 173. | 矮 | ǎi | short |
| 174. | 长 | cháng | long |
| 175. | 有趣 | yǒuqù | interesting |
| 176. | 恶心 | ěxīn | gross |
| 177. | 丑 | chǒu | ugly |
| 178. | 臭 | chòu | smelly |
| 179. | 香 | xiāng | fragrant |
| 180. | 湿 | shī | wet |
| 181. | 湿润 | shīrùn | humid |
| 182. | 干燥 | gānzào | dry |
| 183. | 黑暗 | hēi’àn | dark |
| 184. | 无聊 | wúliáo | boring |
| 185. | 忙碌 | mánglù | busy |
| 186. | 热 | rè | hot |
| 187. | 冷 | lěng | cold |
| 188. | 好吃 | hǎochī | tasty; delicious |
| 189. | 难 | nán | hard; difficult |
| 190. | 年轻 | niánqīng | young |
| 191. | 柔软 | róuruǎn | soft |
| 192. | 硬 | yìng | hard; stiff |
| | Hànzì | Pīnyīn | Definition |
| 193. | 对不起 | duìbuqǐ | I’m sorry |
| 194. | 不好意思 | bùhǎoyìsi | I’m sorry (casual) |
| 195. | 我爱你 | wǒ ài nǐ | I love you |
| 196. | 是真的。 | shì zhēnde. | It’s true. |
| 197. | 这是真的吗？ | zhè shì zhēnde ma? | Is that true? |
| 198. | 有点问题。 | yǒudiǎn wèntí. | It’s not alright. |
| 199. | 抱抱我。 | bàobào wǒ. | Give me a hug. |
| 200. | 你好 | nǐ hǎo | hello |
| 201. | 谢谢 | xièxiè | thank you |
| 202. | 早安 | zǎo’ān | good morning |
| 203. | 早上好 | zǎoshang hǎo | good morning |
| 204. | 晚安 | wǎn’ān | good night |
| 205. | 太好了 | tàihǎole | great |
| 206. | 哪有。 | nǎyǒu. | That’s not true. |
| 207. | 加油！ | jiāyóu! | Go for it! (lit. add oil) |
| 208. | 放心。 | fàngxīn | Don’t worry. |
| 209. | 干嘛呢？ | gànmá ne | What’s up? |
| 210. | 随便你。 | suíbiàn nǐ. | It’s up to you. |
| 211. | 没什么 | méi shénme | It’s nothing; it doesn’t matter |
| 212. | 没事的 | méishìde | It doesn’t matter; no problem |
| 213. | 我们走吧。 | wǒmen zǒuba. | Let’s go. |
| 214. | 怎么样？ | zěnme yàng | How about it? |
| 215. | 我想 | wǒ xiǎng | I want |
| 216. | 没完没了。 | méi wán méi liáo. | There’s no end to this. |
| 217. | 我的妈呀！ | wǒde mā ya! | Oh my gosh! |
| 218. | 好有趣。 | hǎo yǒuqù | So interesting; very interesting. |
| 219. | 肚子饿了。 | dùzi è le | (I’m) hungry. |
| 220. | 好撑。 | hǎochēng. | (I’m) so stuffed. |
| 221. | 我喜欢。 | wǒ xǐhuān. | I like it. |
| 222. | 再见 | zàijiàn | Bye |
We hope to study Mandarin in China together some day soon. Don’t forget to follow CLI on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Be sure to subscribe to Chinese Class 101 on YouTube. You can also like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. 下次见！
