30 Chinese Loanwords You Need To Know



30 chinese loanwords

 

Have you ever considered learning Chinese? Maybe you've heard that it's a complex language to master or that the characters are too complicated to remember. However, learning Chinese can be a lot of fun!

One of the most enjoyable ways for beginners to expand their Chinese vocabulary is by familiarizing themselves with Chinese loan words, or 外来语 (wài lái yǔ). These won't only help you sound natural when speaking with native speakers but also serve as an excellent springboard for learning Chinese more effectively.

In the upcoming blog post, we will delve into well-known Chinese loan words that have the power to elevate your language proficiency and help you effortlessly blend in as a native speaker. Prepare yourself for an exciting journey and enjoy learning while having a great time!


Here are some of the most commonly-used loan words in Chinese!

Hello

哈喽 hā lóu (Hello)

If you want to greet someone in Chinese with a casual and friendly tone, you might want to consider using the loan word 哈喽 (hā lóu) instead of the conventional 你好 (nĭ hăo). Another alternative greeting that works similarly is 嗨 (hāi). These expressions offer a more relaxed and informal way to say hello in Chinese, adding a touch of friendliness to your conversations.



Byebye

拜拜 bài bài (Bye-bye)

Used together with the previously mentioned loan word, 拜拜 (bài bài) is a less formal way of saying farewell to your friends. Now you have another alternative other than using 再见 (zài jiàn).



Cocacola

可口可乐 kě kǒu kě lè (Coca-Cola)

Coca-Cola is a very successful company in China's beverage industry not only because of its excellent marketing strategy, but also because of its Chinese name that fits well with its brand. 可口可乐 (kě kǒu kě lè) translates to "can drink, can happy", or "palatable and enjoyable."



chocolate

巧克力 qiǎo kè lì (Chocolate)

巧克力 (qiǎo kè lì) is one of the most well-established loan words, as it retains the original sound of the word 'chocolate' while being adapted to fit the phonetic structure of the Chinese language.


amoeba

阿米巴 āmǐbā (Amoeba)


markerpen

马克笔 mǎkèbǐ (Marker Pen)


 massage

马杀鸡 mǎshājī (Massage)


meme

迷因 míyīn (Meme)


coffee

咖啡 kāfēi (Coffee)


parfait

芭菲 bāfēi (Parfait)


Olympics

奥林匹克 Àolínpǐkè (Olympics)


Muffin

玛芬 mǎfēn (Muffin)


Bacon

培根 péigēn (Bacon)


Ballet

芭蕾 bālěi (Ballet)


Guitar

吉他 jítā (Guitar)


Honey

哈尼 hāní (Honey - endearment)


Jacket

夹克 jiākè (Jacket)


Bazooka

巴祖卡 bāzǔkǎ (Bazooka)


Brownie

布朗尼 bùlǎngní (Brownie)


Bungee Jumping

蹦极 bèngjí (Bunjee Jumping)


Cherry

车厘子 chēlízi (Cherry)


Domino

多米诺 duōmǐnuò (Domino)


Vitamin

维他命 wéitāmìng (Vitamin)


Yogurt

优格 yōugé (Yogurt)


Gokart

高卡车 gāokǎchē (Go-Kart)


Bus

巴士 bāshì (Bus)


Bingo

宾果 Bīn guǒ (Bingo)




Learning loan words can be a fantastic gateway to exploring the Chinese language! However, if you want an enjoyable and straightforward approach to learning conversational Chinese, consider diving into bilingual books. These delightful reads foster language acquisition, benefiting both young ones and adults alike.

Give the gift of a second language now!



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And there you have it! All listed above are just some of the major Chinese loanwords, so feel free to share them on the comment section below, and stay tuned for more updates and interesting blogs about Chinese language and culture!

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