Elementary Mandarin – Dining & Daily Life Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of Mandarin vocabulary flashcards covering everyday conversation, dining out, food items, time expressions and polite social phrases, drawn from the lecture notes for exam review.

那 (nà)

that; those; then; in that case

个 (gè)

general measure word, especially for people

人 (rén)

person; people

哪 (nǎ)

which; where

东西 (dōngxī)

thing; object (material)

小姐 (xiǎojiě)

Miss; young lady (lit. little sister)

太太 (tàitai)

wife; Mrs. (lit. great great)

这 / 这儿 (zhè/zhèi)

this; here

位 (wèi)

polite measure word for people

卖 (mài)

to sell

朋友 (péngyǒu)

friend

国 (guó)

country; nation; national

知道 (zhīdào)

to know; to be aware of

没关系 (méiguānxì)

it doesn’t matter; no problem (lit. no relationship)

中国 (Zhōngguó)

China

英国 (Yīngguó)

United Kingdom

美国 (Měiguó)

United States of America

俄国 (Éguó)

Russia

法国 (Fàguó)

France

日本 (Rìběn)

Japan

到 (dào)

to arrive; to reach; to (prep.); until

那儿 / 那里 (nà’er / nàlǐ)

there; that place

去 (qù)

to go (with a destination)

走 (zǒu)

to leave; to go (without fixed destination)

离开 (líkāi)

to leave; to depart (longer term)

先生 (xiānshēng)

Mr.; sir; gentleman; husband

对不起 (duìbùqǐ)

I’m sorry; excuse me

们 (men)

plural suffix for pronouns & people

女朋友 (nǚ péngyǒu)

girlfriend; female friend

男朋友 (nán péngyǒu)

boyfriend; male friend

老朋友 (lǎo péngyǒu)

old friend

意大利 / 义大利 (Yìdàlì)

Italy

上学 (shàngxué)

to go to school

今天 (jīntiān)

today

明天 (míngtiān)

tomorrow

昨天 (zuótiān)

yesterday

生日 (shēngrì)

birthday

该 (gāi)

should; ought to; it’s time to

啊 (a)

sentence-final particle expressing surprise, urgency, etc.

月 (yuè)

month; moon

号 (hào)

day of the month; number

记 (jì)

to remember; to record

错 (cuò)

wrong; mistake

请 (qǐng)

please; to invite

家 (jiā)

home; family; house

吃饭 (chīfàn)

to eat a meal

菜 (cài)

vegetable; dish; cuisine

肉 (ròu)

meat

海鲜 (hǎixiān)

seafood

吃醋 (chīcù)

to be jealous (lit. eat vinegar)

几 (jǐ)

how many; several

几月几号? (jǐ yuè jǐ hào)

what is the date? (month & day)

了 (le)

aspect particle indicating change or completion

晚上 (wǎnshàng)

evening; night

不客气 (bù kèqì)

you are welcome; no problem

中国菜 (Zhōngguó cài)

Chinese cuisine

吃豆腐 (chī dòufu)

to flirt; make advances (lit. eat tofu)

点心 (diǎnxīn)

snacks; refreshments; dim sum

水果 (shuǐguǒ)

fruit

汽水 (qìshuǐ)

soda; soft drink

果汁 (guǒzhī)

fruit juice

今儿 (jīnr)

today (colloquial Beijing form)

庆祝 (qìngzhù)

to celebrate

真 (zhēn)

really; truly

破费 (pòfèi)

to spend lavishly (on me); you shouldn’t have!

下 (xià)

below; next; to go down; to get off

小馆子 (xiǎo guǎnzi)

small restaurant

有 (yǒu)

to have; there is/are

要 (yào)

to want (strong demand)

等 (děng)

to wait; etc.

三十 (sānshí)

thirty

吧 (ba)

modal particle for suggestion, speculation, softening tone

这儿 (zhèr)

here

菜单 (càidān)

menu

茶 (chá)

tea

酒 (jiǔ)

alcoholic drink; liquor

啤酒 (píjiǔ)

beer

点 (diǎn)

to order (food); point; dot

汤 (tāng)

soup

想 (xiǎng)

to think; to miss; would like (polite want)

都 (dōu)

all; both

和 (hé)

and; with

极 (jí)

extremely

祝 (zhù)

to wish; to bless

快乐 (kuàilè)

happy; happiness

干杯 (gānbēi)

cheers! bottom’s up (lit. dry the glass)

健康 (jiànkāng)

health

长寿 (chángshòu)

longevity; long life

下馆子 / 上馆子 / 去馆子

to eat in a restaurant (traditional / old / modern phrases)

分钟 (fēnzhōng)

minute (time)

饿 (è)

hungry

喝 (hē)

to drink

过 (guò)

to pass; to celebrate (a holiday/birthday)

怎么样 (zěnme yàng)

how is it? how about…?

行 (xíng)

ok; fine; to be capable

清蒸鱼 (qīngzhēng yú)

steamed fish

清炒 (qīngchǎo)

light stir-fry

清炒西兰花 (qīngchǎo xīlánhuā)

stir-fried broccoli/cauliflower

铁板烧 (tiěbǎn shāo)

sizzling iron-plate barbecue

铁板烧牛柳 (tiěbǎn shāo niúliǔ)

sizzling beef tenderloin