When learning Mandarin Chinese, it’s really important to build a strong vocabulary. In this post, I will share some basic verbs you can use in everyday conversations.
Basic Mandarin Verbs
吃 (chī) – to eat
Example: 我想吃苹果。
(Wǒ xiǎng chī píngguǒ.)
– I want to eat an apple.
喝 (hē) – to drink
Example: 她喜欢喝茶。
(Tā xǐhuān hē chá.)
– She likes to drink tea.
去 (qù) – to go
Example: 我们要去学校。
(Wǒmen yào qù xuéxiào.)
– We are going to school.
来 (lái) – to come
Example: 请你来我家。
(Qǐng nǐ lái wǒ jiā.)
– Please come to my house.
看 (kàn) – to see/watch
Example: 他喜欢看电影。
(Tā xǐhuān kàn diànyǐng.)
– He likes to watch movies.
听 (tīng) – to listen
Example: 她在听音乐。
(Tā zài tīng yīnyuè.)
– She is listening to music.
说 (shuō) – to speak
Example: 我会说中文。
(Wǒ huì shuō zhōngwén.)
– I can speak Chinese.
写 (xiě) – to write
Example: 他在写信。
(Tā zài xiě xìn.)
– He is writing a letter.
读 (dú) – to read
Example: 我正在读一本书。
(Wǒ zhèngzài dú yī běn shū.)
– I am reading a book.
走 (zǒu) – to walk
Example: 我们一起走。
(Wǒmen yīqǐ zǒu.)
– We will walk together.
How to Use These Verbs in Sentences
When you make sentences with these verbs, you usually follow the order: Subject + Verb + Object.
For example, in "我吃米饭" (Wǒ chī mǐfàn) – I eat rice, "我" (Wǒ) is the subject, "吃" (chī) is the verb, and "米饭" (mǐfàn) is the object.
To make a sentence negative, just add "不" (bù) before the verb.
For example, "我不喝水" (Wǒ bù hē shuǐ) – I do not drink water.
Fun Practice Activities
Try making sentences with each verb, using different subjects and objects.
Translate sentences from English to Mandarin, using the verbs you’ve learned.
Create a short conversation that uses these verbs.
By learning these basic verbs and how to use them, you will get better at speaking Mandarin Chinese. Keep practicing, and soon you'll see these verbs are a big part of your vocabulary!
When learning Mandarin Chinese, it’s really important to build a strong vocabulary. In this post, I will share some basic verbs you can use in everyday conversations.
Basic Mandarin Verbs
吃 (chī) – to eat
Example: 我想吃苹果。
(Wǒ xiǎng chī píngguǒ.)
– I want to eat an apple.
喝 (hē) – to drink
Example: 她喜欢喝茶。
(Tā xǐhuān hē chá.)
– She likes to drink tea.
去 (qù) – to go
Example: 我们要去学校。
(Wǒmen yào qù xuéxiào.)
– We are going to school.
来 (lái) – to come
Example: 请你来我家。
(Qǐng nǐ lái wǒ jiā.)
– Please come to my house.
看 (kàn) – to see/watch
Example: 他喜欢看电影。
(Tā xǐhuān kàn diànyǐng.)
– He likes to watch movies.
听 (tīng) – to listen
Example: 她在听音乐。
(Tā zài tīng yīnyuè.)
– She is listening to music.
说 (shuō) – to speak
Example: 我会说中文。
(Wǒ huì shuō zhōngwén.)
– I can speak Chinese.
写 (xiě) – to write
Example: 他在写信。
(Tā zài xiě xìn.)
– He is writing a letter.
读 (dú) – to read
Example: 我正在读一本书。
(Wǒ zhèngzài dú yī běn shū.)
– I am reading a book.
走 (zǒu) – to walk
Example: 我们一起走。
(Wǒmen yīqǐ zǒu.)
– We will walk together.
How to Use These Verbs in Sentences
When you make sentences with these verbs, you usually follow the order: Subject + Verb + Object.
For example, in "我吃米饭" (Wǒ chī mǐfàn) – I eat rice, "我" (Wǒ) is the subject, "吃" (chī) is the verb, and "米饭" (mǐfàn) is the object.
To make a sentence negative, just add "不" (bù) before the verb.
For example, "我不喝水" (Wǒ bù hē shuǐ) – I do not drink water.
Fun Practice Activities
Try making sentences with each verb, using different subjects and objects.
Translate sentences from English to Mandarin, using the verbs you’ve learned.
Create a short conversation that uses these verbs.
By learning these basic verbs and how to use them, you will get better at speaking Mandarin Chinese. Keep practicing, and soon you'll see these verbs are a big part of your vocabulary!