Basic Nouns

1. 水

   Shuǐ

   Water

   Usage

   The basic word for drinking water; works with a gesture

2. 食物

   Shíwù

   Food

   Usage

   The general word to use when you are looking for something to eat

3. 钱

   Qián

   Money

   Usage

   The basic word when talking about paying or changing money

4. 厕所

   Cèsuǒ

   Toilet

   Usage

   This single word is usually enough for someone to point the way

5. 纸巾

   Zhǐjīn

   Tissue

   Usage

   For asking for paper at an eatery or a public toilet

6. 药

   Yào

   Medicine

   Usage

   The general word to lead with at a pharmacy

7. 行李

   Xíngli

   Luggage

   Usage

   For storing, carrying, or collecting your bags

8. 钥匙

   Yàoshi

   Key

   Usage

   At a hotel front desk when handing over or collecting a key

9. 票

   Piào

   Ticket

   Usage

   Covers both travel tickets and entry tickets

10. 护照

    Hùzhào

    Passport

    Usage

    Comes up at check-in, money changers, and immigration

11. 电话

    Diànhuà

    Phone

    Usage

    Used both for the device and for making a call

12. 充电器

    Chōngdiànqì

    Charger

    Usage

    When you want to borrow one at a hotel or café, or buy one

13. 车站

    Chēzhàn

    Station

    Usage

    The most common landmark word when asking for directions

14. 医院

    Yīyuàn

    Hospital

    Usage

    The first word to say when you feel seriously unwell

15. 警察

    Jǐngchá

    Police

    Usage

    Who to ask for after a theft or an accident

16. 商店

    Shāngdiàn

    Shop

    Usage

    The general word when asking where you can buy something

17. 房间

    Fángjiān

    Room

    Usage

    For booking, changing, or checking availability at a hotel

18. 路

    Lù

    Road

    Usage

    For asking the way, usually while showing a map

19. 家人

    Jiārén

    Family

    Usage

    Comes up constantly in introductions and small talk

20. 名字

    Míngzi

    Name

    Usage

    For confirming a booking or introducing yourself

21. 头

    Tóu

    Head

    Usage

    Point at it to show where it hurts

22. 眼睛

    Yǎnjing

    Eye

    Usage

    Point at it to show where it hurts

23. 牙齿

    Yáchǐ

    Tooth

    Usage

    Used to report a toothache

24. 喉咙

    Hóulóng

    Throat

    Usage

    Used to report a sore throat

25. 肚子

    Dùzi

    Stomach, belly

    Usage

    Used to report a stomachache

26. 后背

    Hòubèi

    Back

    Usage

    Points at the back; the single character "bèi" also works as a verb meaning "to carry on the back" or "to recite"

27. 腰

    Yāo

    Lower back, waist

    Usage

    Points at the lower back

28. 脚

    Jiǎo

    Foot

    Usage

    In Chinese "jiǎo" is the foot below the ankle; the whole leg is "tuǐ"

29. 手

    Shǒu

    Hand

    Usage

    Point at it to show where it hurts

30. 胸口

    Xiōngkǒu

    Chest

    Usage

    Refers to the chest area; the single character "xiōng" can also mean the breasts, so "xiōngkǒu" is used

31. 消防车

    Xiāofángchē

    Fire engine

    Usage

    A vehicle carrying firefighting and rescue equipment; the fire number in mainland China is 119

32. 领事馆

    Lǐngshìguǎn

    Consulate

    Usage

    The office handling consular affairs for your country in a region of the host country; distinct from the embassy ("dàshǐguǎn")

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