This list brings together 83 Chinese words, running alphabetically from “Gāoxìng” to “Gūdú.” These words span everyday vocabulary you’ll hear in conversations, markets, and workplaces across China, covering emotions, objects, actions, and abstract ideas. You can use them to build a stronger foundation for reading, speaking, and understanding modern Mandarin in real-life situations.
Chinese words are units of meaning built from one or more characters, each carrying its own history and often a pictorial or symbolic origin. Many entries here, like 工 (work) or 国 (country), combine with other characters to form entirely new terms, which is how Mandarin vocabulary grows through recombination rather than new letters. This system lets a single character like 高 (tall, high) show up in words as different as “Gāoxìng” (happy) and “Gāokǎo” (the college entrance exam).
Below you’ll find the table with the Word, English Translation, Mandarin Spelling, Example Usage, and Description for each entry.
Word: the Mandarin term in pinyin, the romanized spelling that shows you exactly how to pronounce each word using the Latin alphabet.
English Translation: the closest English meaning, so you can quickly grasp what each word conveys before diving into its usage.
Mandarin Spelling: the word written in Chinese characters, giving you the actual script you’ll encounter in books, signs, and everyday text.
Example Usage: a full sentence showing the word in context, with an English translation, so you can see how it fits naturally into conversation.
Description: background on what the word means, how it’s typically used, and any cultural or grammatical notes that help you use it correctly.
Chinese words
| Word | English Translation | Mandarin Spelling | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gāoxìng | Happy; glad | 高兴 | 我很高兴认识你。(I’m happy to meet you.) |
| Gōngzuò | Work; job | 工作 | 他每天去工作。(He goes to work every day.) |
| Gěi | To give; for | 给 | 请给我一杯水。(Please give me a glass of water.) |
| Gēge | Older brother | 哥哥 | 我哥哥比我大三岁。(My older brother is three years older than me.) |
| Gǒu | Dog | 狗 | 他家有一只狗。(His family has a dog.) |
| Guì | Expensive | 贵 | 这件衣服太贵了。(This piece of clothing is too expensive.) |
| Guó | Country; nation | 国 | 中国是一个大国。(China is a large country.) |
| Gānjìng | Clean | 干净 | 房间很干净。(The room is very clean.) |
| Gǎnxiè | To thank; grateful | 感谢 | 感谢你的帮助。(Thank you for your help.) |
| Gǎnjué | Feeling; to feel | 感觉 | 我感觉有点累。(I feel a bit tired.) |
| Gàosu | To tell | 告诉 | 请告诉我真相。(Please tell me the truth.) |
| Gēn | With; to follow | 跟 | 我跟你一起去。(I’ll go together with you.) |
| Gèng | Even more | 更 | 今天比昨天更冷。(Today is even colder than yesterday.) |
| Gōngyuán | Park | 公园 | 我们在公园散步。(We take a walk in the park.) |
| Gōngsī | Company; firm | 公司 | 他在一家大公司工作。(He works at a large company.) |
| Gōngjù | Tool | 工具 | 锤子是一种工具。(A hammer is a tool.) |
| Gōngrén | Worker; laborer | 工人 | 工厂里有很多工人。(There are many workers in the factory.) |
| Gōngchéngshī | Engineer | 工程师 | 她是一名软件工程师。(She is a software engineer.) |
| Gōngzī | Salary; wages | 工资 | 他的工资不高。(His salary isn’t high.) |
| Gōnggòng | Public | 公共 | 这是公共场所。(This is a public place.) |
| Gōnglǐ | Kilometer | 公里 | 机场离这里十公里。(The airport is ten kilometers from here.) |
| Gōngjīn | Kilogram | 公斤 | 这个包重五公斤。(This bag weighs five kilograms.) |
| Gùshi | Story | 故事 | 妈妈给我讲故事。(Mom tells me a story.) |
| Gùxiāng | Hometown | 故乡 | 他很想念故乡。(He misses his hometown very much.) |
| Gùyì | Intentionally; on purpose | 故意 | 他不是故意的。(He didn’t do it on purpose.) |
| Gùkè | Customer | 顾客 | 顾客是上帝。(The customer is king.) |
| Gùwèn | Consultant; advisor | 顾问 | 他是公司的法律顾问。(He is the company’s legal advisor.) |
| Gǔtou | Bone | 骨头 | 狗喜欢啃骨头。(Dogs like to gnaw on bones.) |
| Gǔlì | To encourage | 鼓励 | 老师鼓励学生努力学习。(The teacher encourages students to study hard.) |
| Gǔdài | Ancient times | 古代 | 古代中国有很多发明。(Ancient China had many inventions.) |
| Gǔlǎo | Ancient; age-old | 古老 | 这是一座古老的城市。(This is an ancient city.) |
| Gǔdǒng | Antique | 古董 | 他收藏古董家具。(He collects antique furniture.) |
| Gǔpiào | Stock (finance) | 股票 | 他买了一些股票。(He bought some stocks.) |
| Guāng | Light | 光 | 阳光很明亮。(The sunlight is very bright.) |
| Guǎng | Wide; broad | 广 | 这条河很广。(This river is very wide.) |
| Guǎngchǎng | Public square | 广场 | 人们在广场上跳舞。(People dance in the public square.) |
| Guǎnggào | Advertisement | 广告 | 这个广告很有创意。(This advertisement is very creative.) |
| Guǎngfàn | Extensive; widespread | 广泛 | 这个问题引起了广泛关注。(This issue has attracted widespread attention.) |
| Guān | To close; to turn off | 关 | 请关门。(Please close the door.) |
| Guānxi | Relationship; connections | 关系 | 他们的关系很好。(Their relationship is very good.) |
| Guānxīn | To care about | 关心 | 父母很关心孩子。(Parents care a lot about their children.) |
| Guānjiàn | Key; crucial | 关键 | 态度是成功的关键。(Attitude is the key to success.) |
| Guānzhòng | Audience; spectators | 观众 | 观众为球队加油。(The spectators cheer for the team.) |
| Guāndiǎn | Viewpoint; opinion | 观点 | 每个人的观点不同。(Everyone’s viewpoint is different.) |
| Guānchá | To observe | 观察 | 科学家观察动物的行为。(Scientists observe animal behavior.) |
| Guǎnlǐ | To manage | 管理 | 她负责管理团队。(She is responsible for managing the team.) |
| Guàn | Accustomed to; used to | 惯 | 我已经习惯了。(I’ve already gotten used to it.) |
| Guàng | To stroll; to wander | 逛 | 我们去逛街吧。(Let’s go for a stroll and shop.) |
| Guī | To return; to belong to | 归 | 这本书归你了。(This book now belongs to you.) |
| Guīzé | Rule | 规则 | 请遵守游戏规则。(Please follow the rules of the game.) |
| Guīdìng | Regulation; to stipulate | 规定 | 公司有明确的规定。(The company has clear regulations.) |
| Guīmó | Scale; scope | 规模 | 这个项目规模很大。(This project is very large in scale.) |
| Guǐ | Ghost | 鬼 | 中国有很多鬼故事。(China has many ghost stories.) |
| Guìzi | Cabinet; closet | 柜子 | 衣服放在柜子里。(The clothes are kept in the cabinet.) |
| Guìtái | Counter (service) | 柜台 | 请到柜台付款。(Please pay at the counter.) |
| Guì | To kneel | 跪 | 他跪下来道歉。(He knelt down to apologize.) |
| Gǔn | To roll | 滚 | 球从桌子上滚下来。(The ball rolled off the table.) |
| Guō | Pot; wok | 锅 | 妈妈用锅炒菜。(Mom stir-fries vegetables using a wok.) |
| Guójiā | Country; nation | 国家 | 每个国家都有自己的文化。(Every country has its own culture.) |
| Guójì | International | 国际 | 这是一个国际组织。(This is an international organization.) |
| Guónèi | Domestic; within the country | 国内 | 国内旅游越来越受欢迎。(Domestic travel is becoming more popular.) |
| Guǒzhī | Fruit juice | 果汁 | 我喜欢喝橙汁。(I like drinking orange juice.) |
| Guǒrán | As expected; sure enough | 果然 | 他果然迟到了。(Sure enough, he was late.) |
| Guò | To pass; to cross | 过 | 请过马路小心。(Please cross the street carefully.) |
| Guòqù | The past | 过去 | 过去的事就让它过去吧。(Let bygones be bygones.) |
| Guòchéng | Process | 过程 | 学习是一个漫长的过程。(Learning is a long process.) |
| Guònián | To celebrate the New Year | 过年 | 我们全家一起过年。(Our whole family celebrates the New Year together.) |
| Guòmǐn | Allergic | 过敏 | 我对花生过敏。(I’m allergic to peanuts.) |
| Gǎibiàn | To change | 改变 | 他改变了主意。(He changed his mind.) |
| Gǎigé | Reform | 改革 | 中国进行了经济改革。(China carried out economic reforms.) |
| Gàiniàn | Concept | 概念 | 这是一个新概念。(This is a new concept.) |
| Gài | To cover; lid | 盖 | 请盖上瓶盖。(Please put the cap on the bottle.) |
| Gāi | Should; ought to | 该 | 你该休息了。(You should rest now.) |
| Gǎn | To dare | 敢 | 他不敢说实话。(He doesn’t dare tell the truth.) |
| Gǎn | To rush; to catch (a ride) | 赶 | 我们要赶飞机。(We have to rush to catch the flight.) |
| Gǎngkǒu | Harbor; port | 港口 | 上海是一个重要的港口。(Shanghai is an important port.) |
| Gāozhōng | High school | 高中 | 他在高中学习很努力。(He studies very hard in high school.) |
| Gāokǎo | College entrance exam | 高考 | 高考对中国学生非常重要。(The college entrance exam is extremely important for Chinese students.) |
| Gàobié | To bid farewell | 告别 | 我们在机场告别。(We said our farewells at the airport.) |
| Gòu | Enough | 够 | 这些食物够吃了。(This food is enough to eat.) |
| Gòuwù | To shop | 购物 | 我们周末去购物。(We go shopping on weekends.) |
| Gūniang | Girl; young woman | 姑娘 | 那个姑娘很漂亮。(That young woman is very pretty.) |
| Gūdú | Lonely | 孤独 | 他感到很孤独。(He feels very lonely.) |
Descriptions
Gāoxìng
A common adjective describing a feeling of happiness or pleasure, often used in greetings and casual conversation.
Gōngzuò
Refers to a job, occupation, or the act of working, one of the most frequently used nouns and verbs in everyday Mandarin.
Gěi
A versatile verb and preposition meaning “to give” or “for,” used constantly in requests and transactions.
Gēge
A kinship term for an older brother, part of the detailed family vocabulary system in Chinese.
Gǒu
The everyday word for the domestic dog, also one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac.
Guì
A common adjective used when shopping or bargaining to describe something with a high price.
Guó
A root character meaning “country” or “nation,” frequently combined with other characters to form words like 国家 (country).
Gānjìng
Describes cleanliness or tidiness, commonly used for rooms, clothes, and surfaces.
Gǎnxiè
A somewhat formal way to express gratitude, often used in speeches, letters, and polite conversation.
Gǎnjué
Refers to a physical or emotional sensation, and doubles as a verb meaning “to feel” or “sense.”
Gàosu
A basic verb meaning to inform or tell someone something, used constantly in daily speech.
Gēn
A preposition meaning “with” and a verb meaning “to follow,” essential for describing companionship.
Gèng
An adverb used for comparisons, meaning “even more” or “further,” similar to a comparative intensifier.
Gōngyuán
A public green space for recreation, one of the most common destination words in daily conversation.
Gōngsī
The standard word for a business company or firm, essential vocabulary for work-related topics.
Gōngjù
A general term for a tool or instrument used to perform a task, applicable to both physical and abstract tools.
Gōngrén
Refers to a manual laborer or factory worker, distinguishing physical labor from office work.
Gōngchéngshī
A professional title for someone trained in engineering, widely used across technical fields today.
Gōngzī
The everyday term for wages or salary earned from employment, common in workplace discussions.
Gōnggòng
An adjective describing something shared by or open to the general public, as in public transportation.
Gōnglǐ
The standard unit of distance measurement used in China, equivalent to 1,000 meters.
Gōngjīn
The standard metric unit of weight used throughout China for everyday measurements.
Gùshi
A narrative or tale, often used for bedtime stories, folklore, or any recounted sequence of events.
Gùxiāng
A somewhat sentimental term for one’s hometown or native place, evoking nostalgia and roots.
Gùyì
An adverb describing a deliberate action, often used to clarify intent in explanations or apologies.
Gùkè
A term for a paying customer or shopper, common in retail and service industries.
Gùwèn
Refers to a professional advisor or consultant hired for their expertise in a specific field.
Gǔtou
The everyday word for bone, used both anatomically and in casual expressions.
Gǔlì
A verb meaning to motivate or inspire someone, frequently used in educational and motivational contexts.
Gǔdài
Refers broadly to ancient or pre-modern historical periods, common in discussions of history and culture.
Gǔlǎo
An adjective describing something very old or age-old, often applied to cities, traditions, and civilizations.
Gǔdǒng
A term for valuable old objects prized for their age, craftsmanship, or historical significance.
Gǔpiào
The financial term for a company share traded on the stock market.
Guāng
A fundamental word meaning “light,” used in compounds like sunlight, moonlight, and time-related idioms.
Guǎng
An adjective meaning wide, broad, or extensive, often combined into words like “widespread.”
Guǎngchǎng
An open public plaza commonly used for gatherings, exercise, and community events in Chinese cities.
Guǎnggào
The standard word for advertising or an advertisement, relevant to marketing and media.
Guǎngfàn
Describes something that covers a wide range or scope, often used in formal or written contexts.
Guān
A basic verb meaning to close, shut, or switch off, used for doors, windows, and devices alike.
Guānxi
Describes interpersonal relationships or social connections, a culturally significant concept in Chinese business and society.
Guānxīn
A verb expressing concern or care for someone’s well-being, common in describing family and friendship.
Guānjiàn
An adjective or noun meaning “crucial” or “the key point,” used to highlight the most important factor.
Guānzhòng
Refers to an audience or crowd watching a performance, game, or broadcast.
Guāndiǎn
A term for a personal opinion, perspective, or standpoint on an issue.
Guānchá
A verb meaning to observe or watch closely, often used in scientific or analytical contexts.
Guǎnlǐ
A verb and noun referring to management or administration, widely used in business settings.
Guàn
Often appears in the compound 习惯 (habit), describing something one is accustomed or used to doing.
Guàng
A casual verb meaning to wander around, especially while shopping or sightseeing.
Guī
A verb meaning to return, revert, or belong to, often seen in formal or literary expressions.
Guīzé
A term for an established rule or regulation governing behavior in games, institutions, or society.
Guīdìng
Refers to an official rule or regulation, or the act of stipulating one.
Guīmó
Describes the size or extent of something, such as a business, project, or event.
Guǐ
The word for a ghost or spirit in Chinese folklore, featured prominently in traditional stories and festivals.
Guìzi
A common household noun for a cabinet, cupboard, or closet used for storage.
Guìtái
Refers to a service counter, such as in a store, bank, or airport, where transactions take place.
Guì
A verb describing the physical act of kneeling, often used in contexts of respect or apology.
Gǔn
A verb meaning to roll, often used for objects, and also as a blunt slang term telling someone to leave.
Guō
The everyday word for a cooking pot or wok, central to Chinese kitchen vocabulary.
Guójiā
A common compound word for a nation-state, more specific and frequently used than the single character 国.
Guójì
An adjective describing something involving multiple nations, as in international trade or relations.
Guónèi
Refers to matters occurring within one’s own country, contrasted with 国外 (abroad).
Guǒzhī
A simple compound word for fruit juice, commonly used when ordering drinks.
Guǒrán
An adverb used to confirm that something happened just as predicted or expected.
Guò
A versatile verb meaning to pass, cross, or spend (time), and also a grammatical particle indicating past experience.
Guòqù
A noun referring to the past or bygone times, often used reflectively in conversation.
Guòchéng
Describes a process or course of development, applicable to projects, growth, and events alike.
Guònián
A seasonal verb phrase referring to celebrating the Lunar New Year, a major cultural holiday.
Guòmǐn
A medical term describing an allergic reaction, commonly used when discussing food or medication.
Gǎibiàn
A verb meaning to change or alter, applicable to opinions, plans, or circumstances.
Gǎigé
Refers to systemic reform, especially political or economic change, common in news and history discussions.
Gàiniàn
A term for an abstract idea or concept, used in academic and general discussion.
Gài
A verb meaning to cover, and also a noun for a lid or cover, used for containers and blankets alike.
Gāi
A modal verb expressing obligation or likelihood, similar to “should” in English.
Gǎn
A modal verb meaning to dare or have the courage to do something.
Gǎn
A verb meaning to hurry or catch something in time, such as a bus, train, or deadline.
Gǎngkǒu
Refers to a harbor or port city where ships dock, significant for trade and geography.
Gāozhōng
The term for senior high school in the Chinese education system, typically grades 10 through 12.
Gāokǎo
The nationwide standardized exam that determines university admission in China, a major cultural touchstone.
Gàobié
A somewhat formal verb meaning to say goodbye or bid farewell, often used for significant partings.
Gòu
An adjective or adverb meaning “enough” or “sufficient,” used constantly in everyday speech.
Gòuwù
A verb meaning to shop or make purchases, more formal than 逛街 (to stroll and shop).
Gūniang
A traditional term for a young unmarried woman or girl, still used in colloquial and literary speech.
Gūdú
An adjective describing the emotional state of loneliness or solitude.