Prepare for the Beijing Olympics (Part 2): Learn some basic Chinese words

In preparation for the upcoming Beijing Olympics, I’ve listed some of the most common Chinese words and phrases that you must learn before flying to Beijing. But before you begin learning these words, I would suggest learning about Chinese pronunciations and tones first – this is the most difficult part about learning Chinese. The same word can mean many different things when pronounced in different ways! A good video that teaches Chinese “pinyin” tones can be found on MyHappyPlanet.com.

And here’s the list of Chinese words and phrases that you can start learning. A good way to start would be to find a learning partner on MyHappyPlanet.com and to try using one of these phrases in the conversation. Good luck!

Hello
Chinese : 你好
Pinyin : nǐhǎo
Literal Meaning : You good

I am sorry
Chinese : 对不起
Pinyin : duìbuqǐ
Literal Meaning : Sorry

My Name Is …
Chinese : 我叫 …
Pinyin : wǒ jiào …
Literal Meaning : I (am) called …

How Are You?
Chinese : 你好吗
Pinyin : nǐhǎo ma?
Literal Meaning : You Good ?(yes/no)

I am fine
Chinese : 我很好
Pinyin : wǒ hěnhǎo
Literal Meaning : I very good

And you?
Chinese : 你呢
Pinyin : nǐ ne
Literal Meaning : You ?(huh)

Thank you
Chinese : 谢谢
Pinyin : xièxiè
Literal Meaning : Thank thank

You are welcome
Chinese : 不用谢
Pinyin : búyòngxiè
Literal Meaning : (You) Don’t need thank

Welcome
Chinese : 欢迎
Pinyin : huānyíng
Literal Meaning : Welcome(, to)

Beijing
Chinese : 北京
Pinyin : bei3jing1
Literal Meaning : northern capital

Shanghai
Chinese : 上海
Pinyin : shang4hai3
Literal Meaning : On Sea

Nanjing
Chinese : 南京
Pinyin : Nan2jing1
Literal Meaning : southern capital

Beautiful
Chinese : 漂亮
Pinyin : piao4liang4
Literal Meaning : beautiful

chopsticks
Chinese : 筷子
Pinyin : kuai4zi
Literal Meaning : chopsticks

Why
Chinese : 为什么
Pinyin : wei4shen2me
Literal Meaning : for what?

1 to 10
Chinese : 1 - 10
Pinyin : yi1 er4 san1 si4 wu3 liu4 qi1 ba1 jiu3 shi2
Literal Meaning : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

I am [noun]
Chinese : 我是
Pinyin : wo3 shi4
Literal Meaning : I am (followed by a noun, i.e. teacher or doctor)

I am [adjective]
Chinese : 我很
Pinyin : wo3 hen3
Literal Meaning : I very (followed by an adjective, i.e. tired or busy)

USA
Chinese : 美国
Pinyin : Mei3guo2
Literal Meaning : Beautiful land

Singapore
Chinese : 新加坡
Pinyin : xin1jia1po1
Literal Meaning : Singapore

Please
Chinese : 请你
Pinyin : qing3 ni3
Literal Meaning : Please you

You
Chinese : 你
Pinyin : ni3
Literal Meaning : you

You are beautiful
Chinese : 你很漂ߞ
Pinyin : Ni3 hen3 piao4liang
Literal Meaning : You very beautiful

Yes
Chinese : 是的
Pinyin : shi4de
Literal Meaning : be, to / is

No
Chinese : 不是
Pinyin : bu2shi4
Literal Meaning : not be / not is

Correct
Chinese : 对
Pinyin : dui4
Literal Meaning : correct

China
Chinese : 中国
Pinyin : zhong1guo2
Literal Meaning : Middle Kingdom

Friend
Chinese : 朋友
Pinyin : peng2you3
Literal Meaning : friend

Wanna learn more basic Chinese words? We have hundreds of free basic Chinese lessons on MyHappyPlanet.com!