Learn Essential Chinese Vocabulary for Beginners – A1 Level

Fundamental Chinese Vocabulary for Beginners (A1 Level).

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When learning Chinese at the A1 level, it’s essential to focus on foundational vocabulary that covers daily interactions, numbers, basic verbs, and common nouns. Below is a categorized list of the most important words to master at this level:

Key Vocabulary for A1 Chinese Learners

1. Greetings and Basic Phrases

你好 (nǐ hǎo) – Hello
再见 (zài jiàn) – Goodbye
谢谢 (xiè xiè) – Thank you
不客气 (bù kè qì) – You’re welcome
对不起 (duì bù qǐ) – Sorry
没关系 (méi guān xi) – It doesn’t matter
请 (qǐng) – Please

2. Pronouns

我 (wǒ) – I, me
你 (nǐ) – You (singular)
他/她/它 (tā) – He/she/it
我们 (wǒ men) – We, us
你们 (nǐ men) – You (plural)
他们/她们/它们 (tā men) – They

3. Numbers

一 (yī) – One
二 (èr) – Two
三 (sān) – Three
四 (sì) – Four
五 (wǔ) – Five
六 (liù) – Six
七 (qī) – Seven
八 (bā) – Eight
九 (jiǔ) – Nine
十 (shí) – Ten

4. Common Nouns

People and Relationships

爸爸 (bà ba) – Father
妈妈 (mā ma) – Mother
老师 (lǎo shī) – Teacher
学生 (xué shēng) – Student
朋友 (péng yǒu) – Friend

Places

家 (jiā) – Home
学校 (xué xiào) – School
商店 (shāng diàn) – Store/shop
医院 (yī yuàn) – Hospital

Objects

书 (shū) – Book
水果 (shuǐ guǒ) – Fruit
水 (shuǐ) – Water
茶 (chá) – Tea

5. Basic Verbs

是 (shì) – To be
有 (yǒu) – To have
看 (kàn) – To look/watch
听 (tīng) – To listen/hear
吃 (chī) – To eat
喝 (hē) – To drink
去 (qù) – To go

6. Adjectives

好 (hǎo) – Good
大 (dà) – Big
小 (xiǎo) – Small
热 (rè) – Hot
冷 (lěng) – Cold

7. Time and Days

Time Words

今天 (jīn tiān) – Today
明天 (míng tiān) – Tomorrow
昨天 (zuó tiān) – Yesterday

Days of the Week

(Simplified examples)

星期一到星期日: Monday to Sunday

Other Time Words

现在 (xiàn zài) — Now

8. Question Words

To ask basic questions:

什么?  (shén me?) — What?
谁? (shéi?) — Who?
哪儿？(nǎ er?)

References

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