NetChai Chinese
常用语
cháng yòng yǔ
Basic phrases · trad. 常用語

常用语 (chángyòngyǔ) refers to common, essential phrases that are frequently used in daily conversation. It's a key term for language learners to describe the practical, foundational expressions they need to master.

When to use it

Neutral. It's widely used in language learning contexts. For a more direct translation of "basic phrases" in a linguistic sense, you might hear 基本短语 (jīběn duǎnyǔ). When talking about "daily conversation," you could use 日常对话 (rìcháng duìhuà).

How to pronounce it

Sounds like "CHAHNG-yong-YOO." The first syllable is a high flat tone, the second is a falling tone, and the third is a dipping tone.

Other ways to say it

  • 基本短语jī běn duǎn yǔbasic phrases (more literal)
  • 日常对话rì cháng duì huàdaily conversation
  • 口语kǒu yǔspoken language / colloquialisms

Examples

我正在学习一些中文常用语。
wǒ zhèng zài xué xí yì xiē zhōng wén cháng yòng yǔ 。
I am learning some basic Chinese phrases.
这些常用语对初学者很有用。
zhè xiē cháng yòng yǔ duì chū xué zhě hěn yǒu yòng 。
These basic phrases are very useful for beginners.
掌握常用语能帮助你更好地交流。
zhǎng wò cháng yòng yǔ néng bāng zhù nǐ gèng hǎo dì jiāo liú 。
Mastering basic phrases can help you communicate better.
Pro tip: 常用语 is often used in the context of language learning materials or courses to refer to the practical, high-frequency phrases that are crucial for beginners to learn first.

Related phrases

常用短语 · Common phrases重要短语 · Important phrases简单短语 · Easy phrases
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