Blog Article Summary: The 100 Most Common Chinese Verbs (With Explanations & Usage)

Objective

This is a blog article classifying and explaining the 100 most common Mandarin Chinese verbs, including their practical usage, cultural notes, and additional resources for learners.

Key Points

Introduction

• Author: Luke Neil, co-founder of Mandarin Blueprint.
• Background: Lived in China for 10+ years; fluent in Mandarin.
• Mandarin Blueprint offers online courses helping thousands achieve advanced Chinese proficiency quickly.
• Free resources available: PDF with all verb examples, audio files (male/female), and access to course/app.

Structure of Content

• Verbs are arranged from most common to least (all are still very common in everyday speech).
• Categories: Verbs grouped by function/themes (listening, speaking, doing, etc.).

Noteworthy Features of Mandarin Verbs

• No verb conjugation: Simplifies learning.
• Negation: Different negative forms for different verbs (e.g., 没有 for "not have" rather than 不有).

Highlighted Verbs and Their Key Usages

Core Verbs

• 是 (shì): To be.
• 有 (yǒu): To have.
• 没有 (méiyǒu): To not have (also negates the past).
• 听 (tīng): To listen.
• 说 (shuō): To speak.
• 看 (kàn): To look, to read, to see (contextual).
• 读 (dú): To read (formal).
• 写 (xiě): To write.

Everyday Actions

• 吃 (chī): To eat (also used figuratively for "to suffer/receive").
• 喝 (hē): To drink.
• 玩 (wán): To play, to party.
• 想 (xiǎng): To want, to think, to miss.

Preferences & Feelings

• 喜欢 (xǐhuan): To like.
• 爱 (ài): To love (also used for "to be fond of doing something").

Social Actions & Interactions

• 做 (zuò): To do, to make.
• 搞 (gǎo): To do, to engage in (casual).
• 帮 (bāng): To help.
• 给 (gěi): To give.
• 送 (sòng): To deliver, to see off.

Movement & Location

• 来 (lái): To come.
• 去 (qù): To go.
• 回 (huí): To return.
• 走 (zǒu): To walk, to leave, to die (contextual).
• 跑 (pǎo): To run.
• 上/下/去/来 (shàng/xià/qù/lái): Directional complements indicating movement.

Communication & Expression

• 问 (wèn): To ask.
• 回答 (huídá): To reply.

Miscellaneous Actions

• 买 (mǎi): To buy.
• 卖 (mài): To sell.
• 开 (kāi): To open, to drive.
• 关 (guān): To close, to shut off.
• 用 (yòng): To use.
• 找 (zhǎo): To look for.
• 让 (ràng): To allow, to let, to make (someone do something).

Usage Notes & Cultural Context

• Mandarin is highly contextual; time (past, present, future) often inferred from context.
• Some verbs have multiple meanings (e.g., 打 dǎ: to hit, to make a call, to play sports, etc.).
• Some verbs are used for both concrete and abstract actions (e.g., 把 bǎ: to grab, to leverage information).
• Doubling verbs (e.g., 看看 kànkan): Softens tone, often used in casual or cutesy language.

Additional Resources & Learning Tools

• Free downloadable PDF with all verbs and examples.
• Studio-quality male and female audio for all verbs and sentences.
• Course/app access with all current and future resources.
• Recommendation to learn a full guide to beginner conversational Chinese and more phrases via additional video content.

Closing Notes

• Over 100 verbs explained with multiple usages each.
• Verbs demonstrated in natural, conversational contexts.
• Learners encouraged to download resources and practice with audio/text.
• Further learning available through linked videos and resources.

Call to Action

• Download the free PDF and audio files to support offline practice.
• Access the Mandarin Blueprint course/app for comprehensive resources.
• Explore additional lessons for full beginner conversational mastery.

End of Summary

For full sentences, detailed explanations, and all example audio, use the provided links/resources in the original video description.