25 Chinese Words Meaning's Explained Completely Free

Introduction

Do you feel that it is very difficult to enter the Chinese language world? Knowing the meaning of certain words can be a fascinating and accessible way to start. In this article we invite you to discover 25 Chinese words and their meanings that will not only enrich your vocabulary, but also provide you with a unique perspective on Chinese culture. Join us in this language journey!

Greetings and Basic Expressions

These words are essential for any beginner in the Chinese language, as they will help you start conversations and express gratitude. Let's start with the first 4 Chinese words and their meaning.

1. 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) - Hello
   "Nǐ hǎo" is the most common expression to greet someone in Chinese, used in almost any situation.
   Example: 你好,我叫王丽。 (Nǐ hǎo, wǒ jiào Wáng Lì.) - Hello, my name is Wang Li.
2. 谢谢 (Xièxie) - Thank you
   Gratitude is an important part of Chinese culture, and "xièxie" is the most common way to say "thank you."
   Example: 谢谢你的帮助。 (Xièxie nǐ de bāngzhù.) - Thank you for your help.
3. 再见 (Zàijiàn) - Goodbye
   "Zàijiàn" means "goodbye" and is used to say goodbye to someone, usually with the hope of seeing that person again.
   Example: 再见,明天见!(Zàijiàn, míngtiān jiàn!) - Goodbye, see you tomorrow!
4. 请 (Qǐng) - Please
   "Qǐng" is a word used to make a polite request, similar to "please" in English.
   Example: 请坐下。 (Qǐng zuò xià.) - Please sit down.

Feelings and Relationships

These words will help you express emotions and talk about personal relationships.

5. 爱 (Ài) - Love
   "Ài" is the word for "love" in Chinese and is used to express deep affection towards family, friends or partner.
   Example: 我爱我的家人。 (Wǒ ài wǒ de jiārén.) - I love my family.
6. 朋友 (Péngyǒu) - Friend
   "Péngyǒu" means "friend" and is an essential word in any casual Chinese conversation.
   Example: 他是我的好朋友。 (Tā shì wǒ de hǎo péngyǒu.) - He is my good friend.
7. 家 (Jiā) - Home/Family
   "Jiā" can mean both "home" and "family," reflecting the importance of family in Chinese culture.
   Example: 我家住在北京。 (Wǒ jiā zhù zài Běijīng.) - My family lives in Beijing.
8. 高兴 (Gāoxìng) - Happy
   "Gāoxìng" is a word used to express happiness or joy.
   Example: 很高兴认识你 (Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ) - I'm glad to meet you.

Values and Qualities

These words reflect some of the most important values in Chinese culture, as well as qualities.

9. 和平 (Hépíng) - Peace
   "Hépíng" means "peace" and is a word with great cultural and spiritual significance in China.
   Example: 世界需要和平。 (Shìjiè xūyào hépíng.) - The world needs peace.
10. 勇气 (Yǒngqì) - Courage
    "Yǒngqì" is the word for "courage," a highly valued quality that denotes bravery and determination in Chinese culture.
    Example: 面对困难时需要勇气。 (Miànduì kùnnán shí xūyào yǒngqì.) - It takes courage to face difficulties.
11. 尊重 (Zūnzhòng) - Respect
    "Zūnzhòng" means "respect," a fundamental word in social interactions in China, especially toward elderly and superiors.
    Example: 我们应该尊重人的意见。 (Wǒmen yīnggāi zūnzhòng rén de yìjiàn.) - We must respect the opinions of others.
12. 坚持 (Jiānchí) - Persistence
    "Jiānchí" means "persistence" or "determination," and is an essential virtue in Chinese culture since the Chinese value perseverance in the pursuit of goals.
    Example: 坚持就是胜利。 (Jiānchí jiùshì shènglì.) - Persistence leads to success.
13. 责任 (Zérèn) - Responsibility
    "Zérèn" is the word for "responsibility", something fundamental to the Chinese culture in both the personal and professional life.
    Example: 他对工作非常有责任心。 (Tā duì gōngzuò fēicháng yǒu zérèn xīn.) - He is very responsible in his work.

Everyday Activities

Words that describe basic and everyday activities, useful for daily life.

14. 吃 (Chī) - Eat
    "Chī" is the verb "to eat" in Chinese, a crucial activity in Chinese culture, where meals are often times spent as a family.
    Example: 你吃过晚饭了吗?(Nǐ chī guò wǎnfàn le ma?) - Have you had dinner yet?
15. 睡觉 (Shuìjiào) - Sleep
    "Shuìjiào" means "sleep", an essential action that is deeply respected in Chinese culture for its importance to health and well-being.
    Example: 我通常晚上十一点睡觉。 (Wǒ tōngcháng wǎnshàng shíyī diǎn shuìjiào.) - I usually fall asleep at eleven o'clock at night.
16. 听 (Tīng) - Listen
    "Tīng" means "to listen." It's a key word in a culture that values active listening and respect for what others have to say.
    Example: 我喜欢听音乐。 (Wǒ xǐhuān tīng yīnyuè.) - I like listening to music.
17. 想 (Xiǎng) - To think/to want
    "Xiǎng" is a versatile verb that can mean "to think" or "to want." It is used to express both thoughts and desires in Chinese.
    Example: 我在想明天的计划。 (Wǒ zài xiǎng míngtiān de jìhuà.) - I'm thinking about plans for tomorrow.

Knowledge and Understanding

These words are useful when talking about knowledge, understanding, and comprehension of things.

18. 知道 (Zhīdào) - To know
    "Zhīdào" is the verb "to know" and is used to indicate knowledge or awareness of something in Chinese.
    Example: 我知道这个问题的答案。 (Wǒ zhīdào zhège wèntí de dá'àn.) - I know the answer to this question.
19. 明白 (Míngbái) - To understand
    "Míngbái" means "to understand" and is used to express a clear understanding of something.
    Example: 我明白你的意思。 (Wǒ míngbái nǐ de yìsi.) - I understand what you mean.
20. 学习 (Xuéxí) - Study/Learn
    "Xuéxí" is the verb for "study" or "learn," and it is essential in a culture that values education and knowledge.
    Example: 我喜欢学习汉语。 (Wǒ xǐhuān xuéxí hànyǔ.) - I like to study Chinese.

Health & Wellness

Words related to health, well-being and beauty.

21. 健康 (Jiànkāng) - Health
    "Jiànkāng" means "health" and is a key word in a language that values both physical and mental well-being.
    Example: 健康是最重要的。 (Jiànkāng shì zuì zhòngyào de.) - Health is the most important thing.
22. 美丽 (Měilì) - Beautiful
    "Měilì" is a word commonly used to describe something or someone that is "beautiful".
    Example: 这座城市非常美丽。 (Zhè zuò chéngshì fēicháng měilì.) - This city is very beautiful.
23. 力量 (Lìliàng) - Strength
    "Lìliàng" means "strength". It is a word that evokes strength and endurance, which is highly valued in Chinese culture.
    Example: 团结就是力量。 (Tuánjié jiùshì lìliàng.) - There is strength in numbers.

Abstract Concepts

Words that convey important abstract ideas in Chinese culture and philosophy.

24. 自由 (Zìyóu) - Freedom
    "Zìyóu" means "freedom". It is a term used in many different contexts, from personal to political, and conveys a core value in Chinese society.
    Example: 每个人都有追求自由的权利。 (Měi gèrén dōu yǒu zhuīqiú zìyóu de quánlì.) - Everyone has the right to pursue freedom.
25. 希望 (Xīwàng) - Hope
    "Xīwàng" is the word for "hope", a positive expression that conveys the desire for a better future.
    Example: 我希望明天天气会好。 (Wǒ xīwàng míngtiān tiānqì huì hǎo.) - I hope tomorrow the weather will be good.

Conclusion

Knowing these 25 Chinese words and its meaning organized by categories and with examples on how to use them in sentences, will not only help you enrich your vocabulary, but also improve your understanding and ability to communicate in Chinese. These words are a reflection of Chinese culture and values, and mastering them is an important step on your path to learning the language.

Would you like to know more? At Hanyu Chinese School we offer a wide variety of courses designed for you to learn this fascinating language. It can open doors in the workplace and help you expand your circle of friends. Take the opportunity now!

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