Chinese Vocabulary: Basic Words, Numbers, Phrases, and Family Terms

Questions and Answers

What does the Chinese word '谢谢' (xièxiè) mean?

Thank you

How is the number '2' represented in Chinese?

二 (èr)

Which term in Chinese refers to an older brother?

哥哥 (gēge)

What does the Chinese word '请' (qǐng) translate to?

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Study Notes

Chinese Vocabulary: A Deep Dive into Basic Words, Numbers, Phrases, and Family Terms

Chinese is a rich and diverse language, full of fascinating words and symbols that go beyond the everyday. In this journey through the Chinese vocabulary, let's explore the basics of words, numbers, common phrases, and family terms that will give you a solid foundation for communication.

Basic Words

Learning Chinese starts with mastering a handful of essential words like "你好" (nǐ hǎo) meaning "hello," "谢谢" (xièxiè) meaning "thank you," and "请" (qǐng) which can translate to both "please" and "excuse me." These are just the tip of the iceberg, and you'll find a wealth of other basic words that are sure to come in handy.

Numbers

The Chinese number system is simple and logical. Here are some examples:

一 (yī) = 1
二 (èr) = 2
三 (sān) = 3
四 (sì) = 4
五 (wǔ) = 5
六 (liù) = 6
七 (qī) = 7
八 (bā) = 8
九 (jiǔ) = 9

Family Terms

Chinese culture places a strong emphasis on family, so it's essential to become familiar with the terms that denote familial relationships.

爸爸 (bàba) = dad
妈妈 (māma) = mom
叔叔 (shūshu) = uncle
阿姨 (āyí) = aunt
哥哥 (gēge) = older brother
妹妹 (mèimei) = younger sister
嫂嫂 (sāosāo) = sister-in-law
舅舅 (jūjū) = father-in-law
姨姨 (yíyí) = mother-in-law

Common Phrases

Once you've got the basics down, it's time to learn some common phrases. Memorizing these will greatly improve your confidence and ability to communicate in Chinese.