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Learn Essential Chinese Vocabulary for Beginners – A1 Level visualisation

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 (beginner level), it is essential to focus on foundational vocabulary and concepts that enable basic communication. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) outlines A1 as the ability to understand and use everyday expressions and simple phrases. For Chinese learners, this involves mastering high-frequency words, basic grammar structures, and essential characters.

Key Vocabulary for A1 Level Chinese

Here are the most important categories of words and phrases for beginners:

1. Basic Greetings and Politeness

  • 你好 (nǐ hǎo) – Hello
  • 再见 (zài jiàn) – Goodbye
  • 谢谢 (xiè xiè) – Thank you
  • 不客气 (bú kè qì) – You’re welcome
  • 对不起 (duì bù qǐ) – Sorry
  • 没关系 (méi guān xì) – It’s okay

2. Numbers

  • 一 (yī) – One
  • 二 (èr) – Two
  • 三 (sān) – Three
  • 四 (sì) – Four
  • 五 (wǔ) – Five
  • 十 (shí) – Ten

3. Pronouns

  • 我 (wǒ) – I/me
  • 你 (nǐ) – You
  • 他/她/它 (tā/tā/tā) – He/she/it
  • 我们 (wǒ men) – We/us

4. Common Verbs

  • 是 (shì) – To be
  • 有 (yǒu) – To have
  • 喜欢 (xǐ huān) – To like
  • 去 (qù) – To go
  • 看 (kàn) – To see/look/watch

5. Days and Time

  • 今天 (jīn tiān) – Today
  • 明天 (míng tiān) – Tomorrow
  • 昨天 (zuó tiān) – Yesterday
  • 早上好 (zǎo shàng hǎo) – Good morning

6. Family Terms

  • 爸爸 (bà ba) – Father
  • 妈妈 (mā ma) – Mother
  • 哥哥 (gē ge) – Older brother
  • 姐姐 (jiě jie) – Older sister

7. Food and Drink

  • 水 (shuǐ) – Water
  • 饭 (fàn) – Rice/meal
  • 面条 (miàn tiáo) – Noodles

8. Colors

  • 红色 (hóng sè) – Red
  • 蓝色 (lán sè) – Blue

9. Basic Adjectives

  • 大 (dà) – Big
  • 小 (xiǎo) – Small
  • 好 (hǎo) – Good

10. Essential Phrases

  • 多少钱? (duō shǎo qián?) – How much?
  • 我不懂。(wǒ bù dǒng.) – I don’t understand.

Learning Tips for A1 Vocabulary:

  1. Focus on High-Frequency Words: Beginners should prioritize the most commonly used words and phrases to build a strong foundation for communication 3.
  2. Learn Characters and Pinyin: Understanding both the characters and their pronunciation in pinyin is crucial for reading and speaking Chinese effectively 1.
  3. Practice Daily: Use flashcards, apps, or language partners to reinforce vocabulary.
  4. Use Contextual Learning: Practice words in sentences or dialogues to understand their usage.

By mastering these essential words and phrases, learners at the A1 level can start building their confidence in basic Chinese communication.

References

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