Chinese
Vocab Builder for commonly used words in Chinese.
比较 (bǐ jiào)
The Chinese word '比较' is widely used in Chinese vocabulary to indicate comparison between two things. It can be used in different constructs just like the English word 'compare'. It is mostly used in statements of comparison and preference. For example, 我比较喜欢吃巧克力 (I prefer eating chocolate).
毛巾 (máo jīn)
The Chinese word for 'towel' is '毛巾' (máojīn). This term includes any type of towel, whether it's for bath, face or kitchen. It is commonly used in daily life.
Example sentences with 毛巾 →民主党 (mín zhǔ dǎng)
In Chinese, the word Democrat is translated as '民主党'. This term refers to an individual who is a member of the Democratic Party, which is one of the two main political parties in the United States. In a broader context, it could also apply to individuals who advocate for democracy, which is a system of government where the citizens exercise power by voting.
气候 (qì hòu)
The Chinese word '气候' covers the same concept as the English word 'climate'. In China, the word is commonly used when talking about weather patterns or environmental concerns. It is also applicable when discussing general environments or situations, like 'political climate'.
Example sentences with 气候 →气氛 (qì fēn)
The Chinese word '气氛' has a similar use to the English word 'atmosphere'. It is often used to refer to the mood or feeling in a particular place or situation. For instance, one might talk about the '气氛' at a party, meeting, or event.
Example sentences with 气氛 →气象学 (qì xiàng xué)
In Chinese, 'meteorology' is known as '气象学'. This term is commonly used in science fields and lays the foundation for the phenomenon of weather and climate studies. Like in English, this word applies to the analysis, forecast of weather, and the understanding of the atmospheric factors that influence our environment and weather conditions.
水 (shuǐ)
In Chinese, the word '水' (shuǐ) means 'water', one of the essential elements for life. It is a common word used in a variety of contexts, such as describing the substance, in weather forecasting (雨水 - rainwater), in food and beverage items, and for expressing the concept of 'fluidity' or 'flow' (流动性 - liquidity).
水平 (shuǐpíng)
In Chinese, '水平' (shuǐpíng) represents 'level'. It is typically used to express the degree or standard of something, often referring to the proficiency or skill of something or someone. Just like in English, it can be used in a variety of contexts such as education, sports, or work.
水果 (shuǐguǒ)
This term refers to fruits in general. China has a wide variety of fruits available depending on the season.
Example sentences with 水果 →水龙头 (shuǐ lóng tóu)
Tap in Chinese is '水龙头'. It is typically used in the context of bathroom or kitchen plumbing and refers to the device used to control the flow of water.
Example sentences with 水龙头 →永别 (yǒng bié)
The Chinese phrase '永别' is used when you're saying goodbye to someone and implying that you may not meet again, similar to the English 'goodbye forever'. It carries a certain heaviness and sadness, and is typically not used lightly.
永远 (yǒng yuǎn)
The Chinese word '永远' translates to 'ever' in English. It is often used when expressing the concept of 'always' or 'forever' in Chinese, similar to its usage in English. It is a somewhat formal, often used in literature, philosophical discussions and romantic contexts.
Example sentences with 永远 →永远的朋友 (yǒngyuǎn de péngyǒu)
The Chinese phrase '永远的朋友' is used to denote long-lasting friendships, the ones meant to last 'forever'. This can be used in both formal and informal contexts and carries a deep sentimentality and respect for the bond of friendship.
池塘 (chí táng)
In Chinese, '池塘' refers to a pool. It is often used in the context of an outdoor or natural small body of still water around which recreational or other activities might occur, but can also refer to a man-made pool for swimming, similar to the English usage.
Example sentences with 池塘 →污染 (wū rǎn)
The Chinese word for 'pollution' is '污染'. It is commonly used in environmental discussions and refers to the introduction into the environment of contaminants that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms. Like its English counterpart, '污染' can be used to refer to air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution and so on.
Example sentences with 污染 →汤 (tāng)
The Chinese word for soup is '汤'. It is used in sentences just as 'soup' is used in English, referring to a liquid dish often served hot that is made from meat, fish, or vegetables. Examples include 'I like tomato soup' translated to '我喜欢番茄汤' and 'soup of the day is chicken noodle soup' translated to '今天的汤是鸡汤面'.
汽车 (qì chē)
The Chinese word for 'car' is '汽车'. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, just like in English. It refers to a road vehicle, typically with four wheels, powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor and able to carry a small number of people.
沒有 (méi yǒu)
'没有' is used in the Chinese language to express denial or negation. It can be used in the same way as the English word 'no', but it can also be used to indicate absence or the lack of something. For example, if someone asks whether you have eaten, you can reply with '没有' to indicate you have not eaten yet.
Example sentences with 沒有 →沙 (shā)
The Chinese word for 'sand' is '沙'. It's mostly used in the same contexts as in English. For instance, when speaking about the beach, deserts, or sand in general. In Chinese, '沙' can also be used in compound words, such as '沙漠' which means 'desert'.
Example sentences with 沙 →沙发 (shā fā)
In Chinese, 'sofa' is translated as '沙发' (shā fā). It is used in the same way as in English. You can say '这是我的沙发' (This is my sofa), '我在沙发上看电视' (I watch TV on the sofa). It is an important word when talking about furniture or home accessories.
沙拉 (shālā)
In Chinese, the word '沙拉' is derived from English and is used to refer to a dish that primarily consists of mixed pieces of food, typically vegetables or fruits. However, it can also be used metaphorically in sentences to express the mixing of elements.
Example sentences with 沙拉 →沙漠 (shā mò)
In Chinese, '沙漠' (sha mo) refers to an arid, typically sandy area with little to no vegetation, just as 'desert' is used in English. It is often used in contexts discussing geographic landscapes and environmental issues.
沟通 (gōutōng)
In Chinese, '沟通' (gōutōng) is the term for 'communicate'. It is used in a similar way as in English, describing the act of exchanging or sharing information, feelings, or thoughts by speech, writing, or signs. It can be used in a broad range of contexts, from casual conversation ('与朋友沟通') to professional settings ('在工作中有效沟通').
没人 (méi rén)
The Chinese word '没人' is used whenever you want to say 'nobody'. For example, '这里没人' means 'there's nobody here'. Because Chinese language doesn't have plural forms like in English, '没人' could mean either 'no one' or 'nobody' depending on the context.
没什么 (méishénme)
The Chinese translation of 'nothing' is '没什么'. It is used in the same way as in English, as a pronoun to signify the absence or lack of something. It can be used in various contexts, whether in response to being asked what one is doing, what one wants, etc.
没有 (méi yǒu)
The Chinese word '没有' is used to express a lack of something, or the absence of something or someone. It is analogous to the English word 'without'. '没有' can also be used to deny the existence of something or to give a negative response.
沮丧 (jǔ sàng)
The Chinese word '沮丧' is used to express sadness or disappointment, similar to the English word 'upset'. It is predominantly used to describe negative feelings in relation to certain incidents or situations.
Example sentences with 沮丧 →河 (hé)
The Chinese word '河' is used in the same context as 'river' in English. It refers to a large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another river. In Chinese culture, many folktales and idioms about life, wisdom, or virtues have originated from this word due to the important role that rivers have played in agricultural civilizations.
油 (yóu)
In Chinese, the word for oil is '油'. It is used in similar contexts as in English, such as cooking oil ('食用油'), motor oil ('机油') or oily ('油腻'). Chinese cuisine typically makes use of various types of oils for frying, sautéing, and other cooking methods.
Example sentences with 油 →油漆 (yóu qī)
The Chinese word for 'paint' is '油漆'. It is used in the same way as in English, referring to a colored substance which is spread over a surface to give it a new look or protective coating. For example, ‘我要用红色油漆画这个墙’ (I want to paint this wall with red paint).
Example sentences with 油漆 →