If you hang out on Chinese social media or chat with young people, you may hear the phrase “摆烂 (bǎi làn).” Literally, it means “let something rot,” but slang gives it a whole new flavor. In everyday life, “摆烂 (bǎi làn)” means giving up trying, …
Getting sick while traveling or living in China can be stressful—especially if you‘re not confident in your Chinese. From explaining your symptoms to buying medicine or asking for rest at work, knowing the right phrases can make all the difference.
Here‘s a guide to help …
Ever needed someone to join you for dinner, study, or even just to hit the gym—without being close friends? In Chinese slang, there‘s a perfect word for this: “搭子 (dā zi)”.
It literally means a “partner” or “companion,” but online it refers to a …
If you spend time on Chinese social media or chat with colleagues, you might notice people talking about “摸鱼 (mō yú)” a lot. Literally, it means “touching fish,” but in everyday life it‘s used to describe slacking off, taking it easy at work, or doing …
In China, after weddings, birthdays, or festivals, it‘s common to enjoy táng shuǐ (糖水, sweet soup). This comforting dessert isn‘t just a treat for your taste buds — it carries rich cultural meanings, symbolizing happiness, prosperity, and good luck.
For beginners, understanding when and why …
In Western culture, birthdays often mean cake, candles, and wishes. In China, there’s another special food that must appear on the table — cháng shòu miàn 长寿面(longevity noodles).
These noodles are not just delicious; they carry wishes of health, happiness, and a long life. Let’s …
Rè 热 Hot
Yán rè 炎热 scorching hot
Rè ài 热爱 To deeply love
Rè qíng 热情 Enthusiastic / passionate
Rè nào 热闹 Lively / bustling
Rè dù 热度 Popularity / heat
Fā rè 发热 Fever / heating
Rè xīn 热心 Warm-hearted / eager to …
Every year when the bright full moon rises in autumn, families across China gather to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. On the table, one food is always present — mooncakes. But why mooncakes? These sweet (sometimes savory) round pastries are more than just desserts — they …
Lěng 冷 cold
Lěng jìng 冷静 Calm / composed
Lěng xiào 冷笑 Cold laugh / sneer
Lěng mén 冷门 Unpopular / niche
Hán lěng 寒冷 Cold (weather)
Lěng dàn 冷淡 Indifferent / unenthusiastic
Lěng zhàn 冷战 Cold War
Lěng qì 冷气 Air conditioning / cold …
Zài jiàn！ 再见！ Goodbye!
Huí jiàn！ 回见！ See you later!
Huí tóu liáo! 回头聊！ Talk later!
Bǎo zhòng！ 保重！ Take care!
Wǎn ān！ 晚安！ Good night!
Màn zǒu！ 慢走！ Take it easy! (casual, friendly)
Xià cì zài jiàn！ 下次再见！ See you next time!
Xià cì …
Gān bēi！ 干杯！ Cheers!
Hē yī bēi！ 喝一杯！ Have a drink!
Wǒ gān le, nǐ suí yì！ 我干了，你随意！ I’m drinking it, you do as you like! (playful, casual)
Wǒ jìng nǐ yī bēi！ 我敬你一杯！ I toast to you! (friendly, personal)
Zǒu yī gè！ 走一个！ Let’s …
Textbook Wǒ hěn máng. 我很忙。 I’m busy.
Real Life Máng sǐ le! 忙死了！ I’m swamped!
Textbook Qǐng jìn. 请进。 Please come in.
Real Life Jìn lai ba. 进来吧。 Come on in.
Textbook Zài jiàn. 再见。 Goodbye.
Real Life Huí tóu jiàn! 回头见！ See you later!…
Textbook Wǒ hěn shēng qì. 我很生气。 I’m angry.
Real Life Qì sǐ wǒ le! 气死我了！ I’m pissed off!
Textbook Wǒ hěn shāng xīn. 我很伤心。 I’m sad.
Real Life Wǒ hǎo nán guò. 我好难过。 I feel so down / I’m really sad.
Textbook Wǒ hěn jǐn …
Textbook Qǐng gěi wǒ shuǐ. 请给我水。 Please give me water.
Real Life Lái bēi shuǐ! 来杯水！ Give me some water!
Textbook Hěn hǎo chī. 很好吃。 Very tasty.
Real Life Tài hǎo chī le! 太好吃了！ So delicious!
Textbook Wǒ hěn gāo xìng. 我很高兴。 I’m very happy.…
Textbook Nǐ xiǎng hē shén me? 你想喝什么？ What would you like to drink?
Real Life Nǐ yào hē shén me ne? 你要喝什么呢？ What do you want to drink?
Textbook Nǐ xiǎng chī shén me? 你想吃什么？ What do you want to eat?
Real Life Chī shén …
Textbook Zǎo shang hǎo! 早上好！ Good morning!
Real Life Zǎo a! 早啊！ Morning!
Textbook Wǒ hěn gāo xìng jiàn dào nǐ. 我很高兴见到你。 Nice to meet you.
Real Life Hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn! 好久不见！ Long time no see!
Textbook Hěn piào liang! 很漂亮！ Very beautiful!
Real …
Wā！ 哇！ Wow!
Wā sài！ 哇噻！ Wow! (casual, impressed)
Wǒ de tiān nà！ 我的天呐！ Oh my god! (surprised / shocked)
Wǒ de mā ya！ 我的妈呀！ Oh my gosh! (casual, shocked / funny)
Wǒ de lǎo tiān yé！ 我的老天爷！ Oh my heavens! (very surprised / dramatic)…
Hǎo hē！ 好喝！ Tasty! (like “I like it”)
Tài hǎo hē le！ 太好喝了！ So delicious! (express enthusiasm)
Jù hǎo hē！ 巨好喝！ Super tasty! (very enthusiastic)
Bù hǎo hē！ 不好喝！ Not tasty! (polite complaint)
Nán hē！ 难喝！ Yuck! (stronger dislike)
Zhēn nán hē！ 真难喝！ Really awful! …
Kuài zi 筷子 Chopsticks
Sháo zi 勺子 Spoon
Fàn zi 饭碗 Rice bowl
Pán zi 盘子 Plate
Bēi zi 杯子 Cup
Dāo zi 刀子 Knife
If you consider having your kid learn Mandarin, sign up for a free online 1-to-1 Mandarin lesson on this page …
