Chinese Verbs Learning Resource
Explore this comprehensive guide. Learn the basics of Chinese verbs, their classification, usage, and conjugation patterns.
说话 (shuōhuà)
to talk
In Chinese, '说话' (shuōhuà) translates to 'to talk'. It is a very common term used in various contexts. It can be used in formal and informal situations. It is most commonly used to refer to the action of speaking or expressing oneself verbally.
请 (qǐng)
please
In Chinese, '请' is used to express politeness or request, similar to 'please' in English. It can be placed at the beginning of a sentence to make it sound more courteous. It is also commonly used in asking for something or offering something in a polite way.
请求 (qǐngqiú)
request
In Chinese, the word '请求' refers to the act of politely or formally asking for something. It can be used in various contexts just like in English. For instance, you can use it while asking for a favor, permission, service, or information. It's especially used in formal, written communication and can also refer to a formal message asking for something.
Example sentences with 请求 →读 (dú)
to read
The Chinese term '读' corresponds with the English phrase 'to read'. It is predominantly used in context of reading a book, newspaper, or any form of written text. '读' can be used in various types of sentences, like commands, queries, and statements.
课 (kè)
lesson
The Chinese word '课' is widely used in academic and educational contexts. It is typically used to denote a period of learning or teaching, similar to the English word 'lesson'. For instance, '去上课' translates to 'go to class' or 'attend a lesson'.
Example sentences with 课 →课程 (kèchéng)
course
In Chinese, '课程' is a general term used to describe a series of lessons, whether in an educational setting such as a university, or in a less formal setting like an online study platform. It can be used in various contexts, such as '选修课程' (elective course), '课程表' (course schedule), or '课程内容' (course content).
调整 (tiáo zhěng)
adjust
The Chinese word '调整' is used similarly to the English word 'adjust'. It can be used to refer to modifying something to achieve a desired effect or fit, such as adjusting settings, expectations, or plans. In a sentence, it might be used like this: '你需要调整你的计划' which translates to 'You need to adjust your plan'.
Example sentences with 调整 →调查 (diào chá)
survey
The Chinese word '调查' is used to represent a general investigation or study by seeking responses from individuals. This word is used in any context where research or data collection is involved, just like how we use the word 'survey' in English.
Example sentences with 调查 →谈话 (tán huà)
talk
The word 'talk' in Chinese is '谈话'. It is commonly used in sentences when referring to the act of engaging in a conversation with someone or discussing a particular topic. Similar to English, '谈话' can be used in various contexts, ranging from casual conversations to more formal discussions.
谢谢 (xièxie)
thank
The Chinese word for 'thank' is '谢谢'. It is often used in conversation to express gratitude, similar to the English 'thank you'. This word can be used in a variety of contexts, both formal and informal.
负担得起 (fùdān dé qǐ)
afford
In Chinese, the concept of being able to 'afford' something is captured by the phrase '负担得起' (fùdān dé qǐ). This phrase is used in sentences in a similar way as 'afford' is used in English, relaying the idea of having sufficient resources, such as time or money, to handle or take on a certain thing or activity.
Example sentences with 负担得起 →责备 (zébèi)
blame
In Chinese, '责备' (zébèi) is used to denote the act of blaming or criticizing someone. It can be applied across various contexts, just like in English, such as blaming someone for an error or a mishap.
Example sentences with 责备 →购买 (gòumǎi)
purchase
In Chinese, '购买' is a formal term used to describe the act of buying or purchasing goods or services. It is more commonly used in written or official contexts, rather than in casual conversation. Just like in English, '购买' can be used both as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.
贷款 (dài kuǎn)
loan
The term '贷款' in Chinese is used similar to its English counterpart, 'loan'. It commonly refers to a sum of money that is expected to be paid back with interest. This term is widely used in Chinese financial and banking contexts.
贸易 (màoyì)
trade
The Chinese term for 'trade' is '贸易' (màoyì). It is used in the same context as in English, meaning the action of buying and selling goods and services. It could be used in various contexts such as international trade ('国际贸易'), trade agreement ('贸易协议'), or trade surplus ('贸易顺差').
Example sentences with 贸易 →费用 (fèi yòng)
fee
In Chinese, the word '费用' is used to refer to a fee or cost of something, like a service or product. It can be used in a commercial context, like '学费' which means 'tuition fee', or '医疗费用' which means 'medical fee'.
赚 (Zhuàn)
earn
The Chinese word '赚' means 'to earn' in English. It is commonly used in the same contexts as in English, referring to the act of making money, often from work, business, or investments. For example, you can say '我赚了五十元' to mean 'I earned fifty yuan'.
赢 (yíng)
win
The Chinese word for 'win' is '赢' (yíng). It is commonly used to express victory or success over something or someone in various circumstances, scenarios, and contexts such as sports, games, competitions, arguments, etc. Much like its English equivalent, '赢' can be used as a verb and it is often found in colloquial conversations, written texts, and instructional contexts.
Example sentences with 赢 →走 (zǒu)
to walk
In Chinese, '走' is a word that is used to express the action of walking. It can be used in various contexts, such as walking to school (走路去学校) or walking a dog (遛狗). It represents the general act of moving from one place to another on foot.
赶快 (gǎn kuài)
hurry
The Chinese word '赶快' is often used in contexts where a sense of urgency is needed. It can be used to encourage someone to hasten their actions or to express a need for fast-paced movement or progress. Like its English counterpart 'hurry', '赶快' can be used as both a verb and an adverb in sentences.
Example sentences with 赶快 →起来 (qǐ lái)
arise
The Chinese word '起来' can be used in the context where something arises or comes up. It can also imply standing up depending on the context. Nevertheless, it generally captures the essence of the English word 'arise'.
Example sentences with 起来 →跑 (pǎo)
to run
The Chinese word '跑' is often used to indicate the act of running or jogging. It can be used both physically, like running for exercise, and metaphorically, like running a business. Just like 'to run' in English, '跑' is a very versatile and commonly used word in Chinese, making it a highly useful word to know.
距离 (jù lí)
distance
In Chinese, '距离' is used to mention physical distance between two things, be it people, places, or things. It can be used both in a literal and abstract sense. For example, in a sentence '我和他的距离很远' means 'The distance between him and I is very far.'
跟随 (gēn suí)
follow
The Chinese word '跟随' is used to mean 'follow', the same way it is used in English. It can be used in a context where you are describing a person or thing that is moving behind or in the same direction as another person or thing, either a short distance behind them or changing direction the same way the followed object does.
跳 (tiào)
to jump
The Chinese word '跳' is used to express the action of leaping or jumping. It can be used in various contexts similar to in English such as 'jumping for joy' (高兴地跳跃) or 'jumping into conclusions' (草率地下结论). It is also frequently used to denote ‘to skip’, like skipping a meal (跳过一餐).
跳舞 (tiào wǔ)
dance
The Chinese word for dance is '跳舞'. In context, it conveys the act or skill of dancing. It can be used in various contexts just like in English. For instance, 我爱跳舞 (Wǒ ài tiàowǔ) translates to 'I love to dance'.
Example sentences with 跳舞 →跳跃 (tiào yuè)
jump
跳跃 is the Chinese translation for the English word 'jump'. It is a verb and used to express the action of propelling oneself upwards or over a distance, typically into the air, by sudden muscular effort. In everyday conversation, it can be used in different contexts such as physical activities, emotional states, and transitions.
Example sentences with 跳跃 →踢 (tī)
kick
踢 is the Chinese word for 'Kick'. It mainly refers to striking or propelling forcibly with the foot. It can be used in different contexts ranging from sports, like '踢球' (kick the ball) or '踢足球' (play football), to expressions like '踢开' (kick open).
Example sentences with 踢 →身体 (shēn tǐ)
body
The Chinese word '身体' corresponds to the English word 'body'. It is used almost identically to its English equivalent, referring to the physical structure of a person or an animal, including the bones, flesh, and organs. Just like in English, it can be used in various contexts and expressions, as in '身体健康' which means good health.
轨道 (guǐ dào)
track
The Chinese term '轨道' is used for representing the English word 'track'. It is commonly applied in train tracks, music tracks, or even tracking a path or course. Beside physical tracks, this term can also metaphorically describe the path someone takes in life or career.
Example sentences with 轨道 →