Learn these first! 1917 basic Chinese (Mandarin) phrases from Udemy

1,917 basic phrases at your fingertips

Take a step beyond "nihao" and "xiexie".

Learn 1,917 basic phrases with this course,

and you'll be able to express yourself in Chinese language at home, in social settings, at school, at work, while traveling, or living abroad.

Each phrase is no longer than 10 characters

All of the phrases are 10 characters or fewer, so they're easy to remember and great for beginners.

A simple and effective learning method

How do you learn? It's simple.

On the first screen, only English appears. On the next screen, you'll see Chinese subtitles and hear Chinese voice.

Once you get to the point where you can see the English and immediately come up with the Chinese phrase, you've cleared the challenge.

You can practice Chinese in a tense, exciting setting, like you're answering quiz questions.

No hanzi required

Don't know Chinese characters? No problem.

Each phrase is accompanied by voice and pinyin, so you can practice even if you don't know hanzi.

Review at your own pace with a PDF textbook

The course also comes with a textbook in PDF format, so you can review each phrase at your own pace.

Contents and Course Overview

Chapter 1. Basic phrases

A collection of greetings, questions, expressions of intentions and feelings, and other basic communication phrases that can be used in any situation. If you are a beginner, let's master these phrases first.

Chapter 2. Daily phrases

A collection of phrases mainly centered on dialogues among family members, friends and acquaintances.

Chapter 3. School / Business phrases

A collection of simple dialogues that can be used in your school life or inside and outside your company. Mainly simple and easy-to-learn phrases that can be used in any type of industry.

Chapter 4. Travel phrases

A collection of standard phrases needed in transportation, hotels, restaurants, shopping and others.

Chapter 5. Local life phrases

A collection of essential phrases to start a new life in China, such as to search for a room, solve problems in your house, sign a phone contract, at a bank, online shopping, hospital, hairdresser and others.

Chapter 6. 100 Survival Phrases

Here, you can train the most common 100 phrases carefully selected from a collection of 1,917. Recommended for people without much time, like who is going on a sudden business trip, for example, or others who simply want to learn to speak a little.

What's inside

Learning objective

You will be able to express the things around you in chinese, and actively engage in conversations.

Syllabus

How to proceed in your studies

Basic phrases

Please download the PDF textbook before beginning your studies. You can view a list of the phrases you will learn in the PDF. Please use it as a way of review.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on phrases of ten characters or fewer, which makes them easier to remember and is ideal for learners who are just starting out

Includes a chapter dedicated to travel phrases, covering transportation, hotels, restaurants, and shopping, which equips learners with practical communication skills for their trip

Features a chapter on local life phrases, which covers essential topics such as finding accommodation, setting up utilities, banking, and healthcare, which is useful for settling into a new life in China

Combines visual learning with Chinese subtitles, auditory learning with Chinese voiceovers, and kinesthetic learning with interactive practice, which caters to different learning styles

Contains a chapter on school and business phrases, which provides learners with simple dialogues applicable in various industries and professional settings

Offers a PDF textbook for reviewing phrases at one's own pace, which allows learners to reinforce their knowledge and study without relying on an internet connection

Reviews summary

Basic practical chinese phrases for beginners

According to students, this course serves as an excellent starting point for learning practical Chinese phrases, focusing primarily on everyday communication. Learners appreciate the simple, repetitive method which effectively aids memorization and makes the course accessible. The inclusion of audio and pinyin is highlighted as particularly useful for those not familiar with Hanzi. While many find it highly beneficial for beginners or for quickly acquiring essential phrases for travel or daily life, a significant point of feedback is the minimal focus on grammar and the absence of Hanzi, meaning the course is not a standalone solution and may require supplementary resources for a deeper understanding of the language structure and character acquisition.

Accessible without prior knowledge of Chinese characters.

"It was great to start learning spoken Chinese without being intimidated by characters."

"Focusing just on pinyin and audio helped me gain confidence in pronunciation first."

"This course is perfect if you just want to learn to speak and understand basic sentences without learning to read/write characters yet."

Uses a straightforward, effective learning method.

"The listen-and-repeat challenge format made memorizing phrases very easy for me."

"I found the method of showing English first, then Chinese with audio, very effective for self-testing."

"The repetition built into the lessons really helps drill the phrases into memory."

Ideal as a first step into the language.

"As a complete beginner, this course was not overwhelming and easy to follow."

"A very friendly and encouraging introduction to spoken Mandarin."

"Perfectly suited for someone with zero prior Chinese experience."

Teaches a high volume of useful, practical phrases.

"I learned so many practical phrases I can use right away in daily conversations."

"The selection of phrases is great for real-world situations like travel and shopping."

"Perfect for building a vocabulary of essential spoken sentences quickly."

Needs other resources for comprehensive learning.

"This course is a good foundation for phrases, but you'll need other resources for Hanzi and grammar."

"Consider this a phrasebook with audio, not a complete language course."

"I'm using this alongside another resource that teaches characters to get a fuller picture."

Provides little explanation of language structure.

"While I learned phrases, I didn't get much understanding of the grammar rules behind them."

"Wish there was more explanation on how to construct similar sentences."

"It's hard to adapt or create new phrases because grammar isn't really taught."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Learn these first! 1917 basic Chinese (Mandarin) phrases with these activities:

Review Pinyin Pronunciation

Show steps

Strengthen your understanding of Pinyin, the romanization system for Mandarin Chinese, to improve pronunciation and comprehension of the phrases taught in the course.

Browse courses on Pinyin

Show steps

Review the Pinyin chart and audio examples.
Practice pronouncing each sound individually.
Record yourself and compare to native speakers.

Read 'Basic Chinese: A Grammar and Workbook'

Show steps

Gain a deeper understanding of Chinese grammar to better grasp the structure and meaning of the phrases.

View The Chinese Lexicon on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters on basic sentence structure.
Complete the exercises to reinforce your understanding.
Refer to the book when encountering unfamiliar grammar.

Create Flashcards for Difficult Phrases

Show steps

Reinforce your memory of challenging phrases by creating flashcards with English on one side and Chinese (Pinyin and characters, if known) on the other.

Show steps

Identify phrases you find difficult to remember.
Write the English on one side of the flashcard.
Write the Chinese (Pinyin and characters) on the other.
Review the flashcards regularly.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Practice Phrases with a Language Partner

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Improve your pronunciation and fluency by practicing the phrases with a language partner or tutor.

Show steps

Find a language partner online or in person.
Take turns reading the phrases aloud.
Correct each other's pronunciation.
Create simple dialogues using the phrases.

Record Yourself Speaking the Phrases

Show steps

Improve your pronunciation and intonation by recording yourself speaking the phrases and comparing it to the course audio.

Show steps

Record yourself speaking each phrase.
Compare your recording to the course audio.
Identify areas for improvement.
Record yourself again, focusing on those areas.

Create a Short Dialogue

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of the phrases by creating a short dialogue using at least 10 phrases from the course.

Show steps

Choose a scenario (e.g., ordering food, asking for directions).
Write a short dialogue using phrases from the course.
Practice the dialogue with a partner or record yourself.
Refine the dialogue based on feedback.

Read 'Lonely Planet Mandarin Phrasebook & Dictionary'

Show steps

Expand your vocabulary and learn more practical expressions for travel and everyday situations.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

Show steps

Browse the phrasebook for relevant topics.
Identify new phrases and vocabulary.
Practice using the new phrases in context.

Career center

Learners who complete Learn these first! 1917 basic Chinese (Mandarin) phrases will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Tour Guide

As a tour guide, proficient communication in Mandarin can vastly improve your ability to connect with and cater to Chinese-speaking tourists. This course, with its focus on basic phrases for travel, greetings, and directions, offers a practical foundation for engaging with visitors. The chapter on daily phrases may also be helpful for everyday interactions. Moreover, familiarity with phrases related to local life helps provide a richer, more informative experience for tourists. A tour guide who takes this course will discover that they are more capable when interacting with Mandarin speakers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Tour Guide

Flight Attendant

For a flight attendant, knowing Mandarin improves communication with passengers, enhancing their travel experience and ensuring safety. This course, with its focus on basic phrases for travel and greetings, helps build a foundation for interacting with Mandarin-speaking passengers. The chapter dedicated to airport and flight cabin phrases helps the flight attendant provide clear instructions and assistance during check-in, boarding, and in-flight service. Furthermore, the ability to understand and respond to passenger needs, especially in situations involving health or trouble communicating, is invaluable. A flight attendant who takes this course would be at an advantage when it comes to communicating with Chinese passengers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Flight Attendant

Hospitality Manager

Hospitality managers ensure excellent guest experiences, and knowing Mandarin may vastly improve interactions with Chinese-speaking guests. This course, which emphasizes basic Mandarin phrases, provides a foundation for understanding and responding to guest needs. The chapters on greetings, daily phrases, and travel phrases are particularly relevant, allowing the manager to handle common requests and resolve issues effectively. The course may also cover phrases related to expressing feelings, which may be useful in addressing guest concerns. A Hospitality Manager who takes this course may find they communicate more effectively with Mandarin speaking clients.

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Customer Service Representative

In customer service, the ability to communicate in multiple languages can be invaluable. This course, which focuses on basic Mandarin phrases, helps a customer service representative engage with Chinese-speaking customers. The course’s structured approach, covering greetings, expressing intentions, and handling common situations, provides a solid foundation for effective communication. Furthermore, the course's content on expressing feelings and handling trouble communicating can be particularly helpful in resolving customer issues. A Customer Service Representative who has taken this course may be able to more competently handle Mandarin speakers.

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Cultural Exchange Coordinator

Cultural exchange programs thrive on effective communication and cross-cultural understanding. This course, which emphasizes basic Mandarin phrases, is useful for coordinators facilitating interactions between individuals from different linguistic backgrounds. The course's focus on greetings, daily phrases, and expressing intentions helps in everyday communication. The course is also helpful in handling misunderstandings or cultural differences that may arise. A Cultural Exchange Coordinator who has taken this course may be better positioned to facilitate positive interactions in Chinese environments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cultural Exchange Coordinator

Translator

Translators bridge linguistic gaps across diverse fields. This course, which contains 1,917 basic Mandarin phrases, helps build a foundation for basic communication. The structured approach to learning, focusing on practical phrases applicable in various settings such as daily life, school, business, and travel, may be useful. Furthermore, the inclusion of pinyin alongside the phrases allows translators to refine their pronunciation and comprehension. For a translator focused on fundamental communication, this course can be an advantageous starting point.

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International Business Development Associate

An International Business Development Associate identifies and develops new business opportunities in foreign markets. This course, which covers basic Mandarin phrases, provides a foundational understanding of the language, which may be helpful when building relationships. The chapters on business phrases, greetings, and expressing intentions are particularly relevant, allowing the Associate to engage in basic conversations. Furthermore, understanding cultural nuances through language helps in building trust and rapport with potential partners. An International Business Development Associate who has taken this course will be better prepared to enter the Chinese market.

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Content Creator

Content creators produce engaging material for various platforms, and knowing Mandarin helps when targeting a Chinese-speaking audience. This course, with its focus on basic phrases used in daily life, at school, at work and while traveling, helps build a foundation for creating culturally relevant content. The ability to understand and respond to cultural nuances, especially in topics related to hobbies, family, or current events is key in marketing. A content creator who takes this course will find that they are better able to engage with Mandarin speakers and create culturally appropriate work.

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ESL Teacher

An English as a Second Language teacher who knows Mandarin can more easily connect with and understand the challenges faced by Mandarin-speaking students. This course, which covers basic phrases useful for communication in various settings, may be helpful in explaining concepts and providing support to students. The course's approach to teaching basic phrases, combined with pinyin pronunciation, also helps the teacher anticipate the difficulties a student might face when learning English. An ESL Teacher who has taken this course may find they are better able to support Mandarin speaking students.

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Global Supply Chain Manager

Global supply chain managers oversee the flow of goods and information across international borders. This course, which teaches basic Mandarin phrases, may be useful if a supply chain touches China. The course covers introductions, expressing intentions, and travel phrases. The section on workplace phrases may be helpful if you work with Chinese colleagues. A Global Supply Chain Manager who takes this course may find they communicate more effectively with Chinese colleagues.

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Journalist

Journalists often need to communicate with people from various backgrounds. This course, which provides 1,917 basic Mandarin phrases, helps a journalist establish initial contact and gather essential information. The course’s modules on greetings, asking questions, and expressing intentions are particularly useful in conducting interviews and building rapport. Moreover, the section on local life phrases may be helpful when covering stories within a Chinese-speaking community. A Journalist who takes this course can find it easier to navigate communication challenges when reporting in Mandarin-speaking environments.

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Market Research Analyst

Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. This course, which emphasizes basic Mandarin phrases, can be invaluable if you're focusing on the Chinese market. The knowledge of basic phrases in Mandarin may be useful when conducting surveys or interviews. The course chapters on daily phrases and expressing opinions may be helpful. A Market Research Analyst who has taken this course will be better prepared for research in China.

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International Aid Worker

International aid workers provide assistance to communities in need, and the ability to communicate in Mandarin may prove helpful in certain regions. This course, which covers basic Mandarin phrases, may be useful for building rapport with local populations and understanding their immediate needs. The course’s modules on greetings, expressing intentions, and health are particularly valuable in establishing trust. Furthermore, the section on local life phrases may be helpful when navigating daily challenges. An International Aid Worker who takes this course may be more effective in providing support in Mandarin-speaking communities.

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Immigration Officer

Immigration officers can benefit from proficiency in Mandarin when processing travelers and immigrants from China. This course, which covers basic Mandarin phrases, may be useful in asking essential questions and understanding responses. The course's modules on greetings, asking questions, and travel phrases are directly applicable to common interactions at border crossings. This course may also be useful in identifying potential security concerns. An Immigration Officer who has taken this course would find themselves better equipped to handle daily interactions with Chinese travelers.

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Business Analyst

Business analysts identify business needs and determine solutions to business problems. This course may be helpful for a business analyst working with a Chinese-speaking team, as it contains 1,917 basic Mandarin phrases. While the role may not require constant communication in Mandarin, a solid grasp of the language and culture may be helpful during meetings, presentations, and informal discussions. The knowledge gained from this course can help foster better relationships and understanding of business problems in Chinese companies. A Business Analyst who takes this course will be at an advantage when working with Chinese counterparts.

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Learn these first! 1917 basic Chinese (Mandarin) phrases

What's inside

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Basic practical chinese phrases for beginners

Activities

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