FOR200 Mandarin Foreign Language Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards based on FOR200 Mandarin lecture notes covering dialects, tone terms, classroom expressions, self-introduction, culture trivia, zodiac signs, and calendar expressions.

Putōnghuà

The official term for Mandarin used in the PRC, meaning 'the common language'.

Guóyu

The term used for Mandarin in Taiwan dating back to 1918, meaning 'the national language'.

Huáyu

The term used for Mandarin in Singapore, meaning 'the language of the Huá'.

Hànyu

A term for Chinese used in ordinary speech, meaning 'the language of the Han'.

Hokkien

A dialect originating from Fujian province (Min Nan) with 7-8 tones, widely used by the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia.

Fukien/Fookien

An older English spelling derived from Mandarin or Cantonese pronunciation of Fujian province, common in the Philippines.

Fujian (pinyin)

The modern Mandarin pinyin for the province located in mainland China.

Cantonese (Yuè)

A Chinese dialect spoken in Southern China, Hong Kong, and overseas communities, known for having 6-9 tones.

qīngshēng

The Mandarin term for toneless syllables, meaning 'light-toned'.

Cantonese (Yuè)

One of the five major Chinese dialect groupings.

Shanghainese (Wú)

One of the five major Chinese dialect groupings.

Fukienese or Hokkien (Mın)

One of the five major Chinese dialect groupings.

Hakka (Kèjiā)

One of the five major Chinese dialect groupings.

Hoisan (Táishān)

One of the five major Chinese dialect groupings.

Nǐ hǎo!

Classroom expression meaning 'How do you do? / Hello!'.

Dàjiā hǎo

Classroom expression meaning 'Hello, everyone!'.

Lǎoshī hǎo

Classroom expression meaning 'Hello, teacher!'.

Kāishǐ shàngkè

Classroom expression meaning 'Let’s begin the class!'.

Qǐng gēn wǒ niàn

Classroom expression meaning 'Please repeat after me.'.

Qǐng nǐ niàn

Classroom expression meaning 'Please read aloud.'.

Qǐng nǐ shōu

Classroom expression meaning 'Please say it.'.

Wǒ bù dǒng

Classroom expression meaning 'I don’t understand.'.

Yǒu wèntí ma?

Classroom expression meaning 'Any questions?'.

Wǒ yǒu wèntí

Classroom expression meaning 'I have a question.'.

Qǐng jǔ shǒu

Classroom expression meaning 'Please raise your hands.'.

Xià kè

Classroom expression meaning 'Class is dismissed.'.

Bù kèqì

Expression meaning 'You are welcome. / No problem.'.

Zhè shì shénme

Expression meaning 'What is this?'.

Qǐng zài shuō yī biàn

Expression meaning 'Please say it again.'.

Zàijiàn

Expression meaning 'Good bye! See you!'.

Nín

Pronoun meaning 'You', used as a polite and respectful form to elders.

Xíng / Xìng

A verb meaning 'to be surnamed', followed by a surname.

Jiào

A verb meaning 'to be called', followed by a given name, first name, or full name.

Shì

A verb meaning 'to be (am, is, are)', used to link two equivalent units such as names or nationalities.

Shénme

A question pronoun in Mandarin meaning 'what'.

Qǐngwèn

Polite phrase meaning 'May I ask you… / Excuse me…'.

Guìxìng

Polite way to ask someone’s surname in Mandarin.

Nǎ guórén

An interrogative phrase used to ask what someone’s nationality is.

Měiguó rén

Vocabulary term meaning 'American'.

Táiwān rén

Vocabulary term meaning 'Taiwanese'.

Xiānshēng

Title meaning 'Mr. / gentlemen'.

Xiǎojiě

Title meaning 'Miss / Ms.'.

Shoes (鞋 xié)

A taboo gift in Chinese culture because the word is a homophone for evil (邪 xié).

Shǔ (鼠)

The Rat in the Chinese Zodiac.

Niú (牛)

The Ox in the Chinese Zodiac.

Hǔ (虎)

The Tiger in the Chinese Zodiac.

Tù (兔)

The Rabbit in the Chinese Zodiac.

Lóng (龙)

The Dragon in the Chinese Zodiac.

Shé (蛇)

The Snake in the Chinese Zodiac.

Mǎ (马)

The Horse in the Chinese Zodiac.

Yáng (羊)

The Sheep in the Chinese Zodiac.

Hóu (猴)

The Monkey in the Chinese Zodiac.

Jī (鸡)

The Rooster/Chicken in the Chinese Zodiac.

Gǒu (狗)

The Dog in the Chinese Zodiac.

Zhū (猪)

The Pig in the Chinese Zodiac.

Yào

Vocabulary word meaning 'want'.

Bú yào

Vocabulary word meaning 'don’t want'.

Xǐhuān

Vocabulary word meaning 'like'.

Bù xǐhuān

Vocabulary word meaning 'don’t like'.

Zhè shì

Grammar term meaning 'This is'.

Nà shì

Grammar term meaning 'That is'.

Zhè ge

Grammar phrase meaning 'This one' or 'This' when paired with a noun.

Nà ge

Grammar phrase meaning 'That one' or 'That' when paired with a noun.

Jīntiān

Time expression meaning 'today'.

Míngtiān

Time expression meaning 'tomorrow'.

Zuótiān

Time expression meaning 'yesterday'.

Qiántiān

Time expression meaning 'The day before yesterday'.

Hòutiān

Time expression meaning 'The day after tomorrow'.

Xīngqí

Formal Mandarin term for 'Week day'.

Lǐ bài

Semi-formal Mandarin term for 'Week day'.

Yuè

Mandarin word for 'month', used following a cardinal number to form the months of the year.

Hào

Mandarin word for 'date', used following a cardinal number to express the day of the month.

Nián

Mandarin word for 'year', added after individual digits of a year number.