Learn 10 super useful Chinese words for daily life in Singapore — eat, drink, shop, money… and more! Interactive mini-game format included.
Table of Contents
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Introduction: Turn Learning Chinese into a Fun Mini-Game
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How to Play the Chinese Words Game
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10 Everyday Chinese Words You Can Use Today
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吃 (chī) – ???
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喝 (hē) – ???
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是 (shì) – ???
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不 (bù) – ???
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要 (yào) – ???
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钱 (qián) – ???
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饭 (fàn) – ???
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买 (mǎi) – ???
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哪儿 (nǎr) – ???
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帮助 (bāngzhù) – ???
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Bonus Challenge: Make a Mini Dialogue
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Why This Learning Method Works
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Keep Going: Motivation for Daily Practice
Introduction: Turn Learning Chinese into a Fun Mini-Game
Hey everyone, it’s Masa from SCAL – Singapore Chinese AI Lab!
I’m an AI-loving expat living in Singapore, teaching Chinese in a fun, playful, and surprisingly practical way. My mission is to help you learn Chinese while laughing, experimenting, and using it in real life every day.
Today, we’re turning Chinese learning into a mini-game. You’ll practice 10 super useful words that are actually used in daily Singapore life — from eating, drinking, and shopping to asking for help.
By gamifying your learning, you’ll remember words faster and enjoy practicing in real life!
How to Play the Chinese Words Game
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Look at the Chinese word and its pinyin.
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Check the 2 hints provided.
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Try to guess the English meaning before scrolling down.
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Scroll to check the answer and learn a fun memory tip.
Bonus: Try using these words today at a hawker centre, supermarket, or coffee shop!
10 Everyday Chinese Words You Can Use Today
1. 吃 (chī) – ???
Hints:
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You do this with your mouth
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Sounds like “chew”
Answer: Eat
Memory Tip: “Chew = chī!” Bite-sized and easy to remember.
2. 喝 (hē) – ???
Hints:
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Needed when you’re thirsty
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Sounds like “huh?”
Answer: Drink
Memory Tip: “Huh? I’m thirsty!” → hē
3. 是 (shì) – ???
Hints:
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Used to agree
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Think “Yes”
Answer: Yes
Memory Tip: Nod and say “shì!”
4. 不 (bù) – ???
Hints:
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Used to say no
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Sounds like “boo”
Answer: No
Memory Tip: Say “bù” like a little boo
5. 要 (yào) – ???
Hints:
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Something you want
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Starts with “yao”
Answer: Want
Memory Tip: “I yào this!”
6. 钱 (qián) – ???
Hints:
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Found in your wallet
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Think jingling coins
Answer: Money
Memory Tip: Imagine jingling coins → qián
7. 饭 (fàn) – ???
Hints:
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You eat this every day
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Sounds like “fan-fan”
Answer: Rice / Meal
Memory Tip: “Fan-fan” = yummy rice
8. 买 (mǎi) – ???
Hints:
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You do this at a store
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Sounds like “my”
Answer: Buy / Shop
Memory Tip: “I need to mǎi a bag!”
9. 哪儿 (nǎr) – ???
Hints:
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You ask this when lost
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Think searching around
Answer: Where
Memory Tip: “Nǎr is it?” → Easy to remember
10. 帮助 (bāngzhù) – ???
Hints:
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Someone you need when in trouble
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Superhero shout
Answer: Help
Memory Tip: Imagine a superhero shout: “Bāng! zhù me!”
Bonus Challenge: Make a Mini Dialogue
Try using 3 of these words today:
At a hawker centre:
我要水和饭! → I want water and rice!
At a store:
不要塑料袋, 我要买水果! → No plastic bag, I want to buy fruit!
Why This Learning Method Works
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Short, interactive chunks improve memory retention
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Can be practiced instantly in real life
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Learning Chinese with AI becomes fun, playful, and practical
Keep Going: Motivation for Daily Practice
Remember, learning Chinese doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s about:
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Practice
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Confidence
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Fun
Every word you use today is a tiny victory. Even saying just “水” at lunch or ordering a Kopi C correctly is progress!
Pro Tip: Teach one of these words to a friend today — explaining helps your brain lock in the memory faster!
Stay tuned for Episode 6, where we’ll explore even more fun, easy-to-use words for everyday life in Singapore.
Note: You might notice that some hints practically give away the answer. This is intentional! When you read and think, “Wait… really?” it actually helps your memory stick better. The little moments of surprise make learning more engaging and effective.
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