Mandarin Chinese Vocabulary – Comprehensive Lecture Set

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing every key term and phrase from the lecture transcript. Each card lists the Mandarin term (or sentence) and its concise English meaning for efficient review.

你好

nǐ hǎo – A polite and versatile greeting used to say "Hello" in informal and semi-formal contexts.

你

nǐ – The singular, informal pronoun for "you." Used when addressing a peer or someone younger.

好

hǎo – Means "good," "well," or "fine." It can also be an affirmative response like "OK" or "yes."

您

nín – The singular, polite, and formal pronoun for "you." Used to show respect to elders, superiors, or strangers.

你们

nǐmen – The plural pronoun for "you all" or "y'all."

老师

lǎoshī – A respectful title used to address a teacher, educator, or master.

谢谢

xièxie – A common expression of gratitude meaning "thank you." It can be used alone or with a person's name.

不客气

bú kèqi – A polite response meaning "you're welcome." It literally translates to "don't be polite."

不

bù – A general negation adverb meaning "not" or "no." It typically precedes verbs or adjectives.

客气

kèqi – Describes someone as being "polite," "courteous," or "formal."

对不起

duìbuqǐ – An apology meaning "sorry." It is used to express regret or apologize for an oversight.

没关系

méi guānxi – A phrase meaning "it's okay," "no problem," or "never mind." It's often used as a response to "duìbuqǐ."

再见

zàijiàn – A common farewell meaning "goodbye," literally "see you again."

请

qǐng – A versatile word meaning "please," "to invite," or "to request politely." It is often used to make requests or give polite instructions.

进

jìn – To "enter" or "come in."

坐

zuò – To "sit" or "take a seat."

听

tīng – To "listen" or "hear."

说

shuō – To "speak," "say," or "talk."

读

dú – To "read" (both silently and aloud) or "study."

写

xiě – To "write" or "compose."

吗

ma – A sentence-final particle used to turn a statement into a yes/no question when placed at the end of the sentence.

我

wǒ – The singular pronoun for "I" or "me."

很

hěn – An adverb meaning "very" or "quite." It often serves as a neutral linker before adjectives, even when it doesn't imply extreme degree.

呢

ne – A versatile sentence particle used to ask "and what about…?" for ongoing actions, or to emphasize a statement.

也

yě – An adverb meaning "also," "too," or "as well."

爸爸

bàba – An informal term for "dad" or "father."

妈妈

māma – An informal term for "mom" or "mother."

都

dōu – An adverb meaning "all" or "both," placed before the verb or adjective to indicate that everyone or everything in the group shares the same action or quality.

他们

tāmen – The plural pronoun for "they" or "them." It is used for a group of males or a mixed group.

爱人

àiren – A somewhat formal term for "spouse," which can refer to either "husband" or "wife." Its usage has declined in modern casual speech.

哥哥

gēge – Refers to an "elder brother."

他

tā – The singular pronoun for "he" or "him."

姐姐

jiějie – Refers to an "elder sister."

她

tā – The singular pronoun for "she" or "her."

弟弟

dìdi – Refers to a "younger brother."

妹妹

mèimei – Refers to a "younger sister."

忙

máng – An adjective meaning "busy" or "occupied."

累

lèi – An adjective meaning "tired" or "weary."

饿

è – An adjective meaning "hungry."

渴

kě – An adjective meaning "thirsty."

吃

chī – The verb "to eat" or "to consume food."

什么

shénme – An interrogative pronoun meaning "what."

饺子

jiǎozi – Chinese dumplings, typically filled with meat and/or vegetables and often boiled, steamed, or fried.

米饭

mǐfàn – Cooked (steamed) rice.

面条

miàntiáo – Chinese noodles, often served in soup or stir-fried.

面包

miànbāo – Bread.

包子

bāozi – A type of steamed bun with various fillings, which can be savory (meat/vegetables) or sweet.

喝

hē – The verb "to drink."

啤酒

píjiǔ – Beer.

茶

chá – Tea.

咖啡

kāfēi – Coffee.

矿泉水

kuàngquánshuǐ – Mineral water or bottled water.

牛奶

niúnǎi – Milk, specifically cow's milk.

买

mǎi – The verb "to buy" or "to purchase."

词典

cídiǎn – A dictionary.

本子

běnzi – A notebook or exercise book.

书

shū – A book.

笔

bǐ – A general term for a writing instrument, such as a pen or pencil.

书包

shūbāo – A schoolbag or backpack.

可口可乐

Kěkǒu-kělè – Coca-Cola.

要

yào – A versatile verb meaning "to want," "to need," or used as an auxiliary verb to indicate "will" or "shall."

换

huàn – To "exchange," "change," or "substitute."

钱

qián – Money or currency.

多少

duōshao – An interrogative indicating "how much" or "how many," typically used for quantities of 10 or more or when the amount is unknown.

一

yī – The number "one" (1).

百

bǎi – The number "hundred" (100).

美元

měiyuán – The "U.S. dollar."

二

èr – The number "two" (2). Used when counting or in larger numbers; distinguish from 'liǎng'.

三

sān – The number "three" (3).

四

sì – The number "four" (4).

五

wǔ – The number "five" (5).

十

shí – The number "ten" (10).

两

liǎng – The number "two" when used before measure words. (e.g., liǎng bēi - two cups).

杯

bēi – A measure word for a "cup" or "glass," also refers to the item itself.

块

kuài – The colloquial term for "yuan," the basic unit of Chinese currency. It also means "piece" or "chunk."

个

gè – The most common and general measure word or classifier.

六

liù – The number "six" (6).

毛

máo – A unit of Chinese currency equal to 0.1 yuan, also known as "jiao" (角) in formal terms; equivalent to a dime.

分

fēn – A unit of Chinese currency equal to 0.01 yuan, also means "cent" or "minute" (of time).

瓶

píng – A measure word for a "bottle," also refers to the item itself.

七

qī – The number "seven" (7).

八

bā – The number "eight" (8).

本

běn – A measure word specifically used for books or volumes.

九

jiǔ – The number "nine" (9).

请问

qǐngwèn – A polite way to begin a question, meaning "excuse me" or "may I ask…."

图书馆

túshūguǎn – A library.

在

zài – A versatile word meaning "at," "in," or "on." It can indicate location (to be located at) or an ongoing action (e.g., "zài chī" means "is eating").

哪儿

nǎr – An interrogative pronoun meaning "where."

就

jiù – An adverb indicating "exactly," "then," "right away," or "precisely." It emphasizes immediacy or certainty.

那儿

nàr – A demonstrative pronoun meaning "there" or "that place."

食堂

shítáng – A cafeteria or dining hall.

留学生

liúxuéshēng – An international student.

宿舍

sùshè – A dormitory or student residence.

办公室

bàngōngshì – An office.

号

hào – Refers to a "number," a "date" (day of the month), or "size."

楼

lóu – A "building" or "floor/story" of a building (e.g., dì yī lóu means "first floor").

邮局

yóujú – A post office.

知道

zhīdào – To "know" a fact or piece of information; to "be aware of" something.

银行

yínháng – A bank.

医院

yīyuàn – A hospital.