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The most common Chinese characters

The 1,000 characters that make up 88.8% of Chinese on the web, most common first, each with its pinyin and meaning.

Share of the characters on a Chinese web page
Top 100
38%
Top 250
57.4%
Top 500
74.1%
Top 1,000
88.8%
Top 2,000
97.3%
Top 3,000
99.3%

The top 100

With the ones before, 38% of the characters on a page

  1. 1的de(particle) marks possession or description: 's; of
  2. 2是shìto be (am; is; are)
  3. 3一yīone
  4. 4了le(particle) marks a completed action
  5. 5不bùnot; no
  6. 6在zàito be at; to be in
  7. 7有yǒuto have; to own
  8. 8人rénperson; people
  9. 9我wǒI; me
  10. 10大dàbig; large
  11. 11个gèclassifier for people and most things
  12. 12这zhèthis
  13. 13中zhōngmiddle; center
  14. 14上shàngup; above
  15. 15要yàoto want
  16. 16以yǐwith; by means of
  17. 17和héand; with
  18. 18到dàoto arrive; to reach
  19. 19为wèi, wéifor; on behalf of
  20. 20就jiùthen; right away
  21. 21来láito come
  22. 22能néngcan; to be able to
  23. 23年niányear
  24. 24国guócountry; nation
  25. 25你nǐyou
  26. 26好hǎogood; nice
  27. 27可kěcan; may
  28. 28时shítime; period
  29. 29出chūto go out; to come out
  30. 30也yěalso; too
  31. 31会huìcan; to know how to
  32. 32生shēngto give birth to; to bear
  33. 33他tāhe; him
  34. 34下xiàdown; below
  35. 35多duōmany; much
  36. 36用yòngto use
  37. 37家jiāhome; family
  38. 38地dìearth; ground
  39. 39都dōuall; both
  40. 40自zìfrom; since
  41. 41发fāto send; to issue
  42. 42小xiǎosmall; little
  43. 43子zǐson; child
  44. 44们mén(suffix) plural marker for pronouns and people
  45. 45行xíng, hángto walk; to go
  46. 46作zuòto do; to make
  47. 47对duìright; correct
  48. 48成chéngto become; to turn into
  49. 49看kànto look at; to see
  50. 50后hòuafter; later
  51. 51方fāngsquare
  52. 52新xīnnew
  53. 53过guòto cross; to go past
  54. 54天tiānsky
  55. 55日rìday
  56. 56很hěnvery; quite
  57. 57还háistill; yet
  58. 58业yèline of business; industry
  59. 59说shuōto speak; to say
  60. 60高gāohigh; tall
  61. 61于yúat; in
  62. 62分fēn, fènto divide; to separate
  63. 63得déto obtain; to get
  64. 64么mē(used in 什么, 怎么, 这么, 多么) suffix
  65. 65全quánwhole; all
  66. 66本běnroot; origin
  67. 67之zhī(particle) of; 's (literary 的)
  68. 68前qiánfront; ahead
  69. 69学xuéto study; to learn
  70. 70面miànface
  71. 71开kāito open
  72. 72动dòngto move
  73. 73现xiànnow; present
  74. 74公gōngpublic; common
  75. 75工gōngwork; labor
  76. 76最zuìmost; -est
  77. 77道dàoroad; path
  78. 78没méinot have; there is not
  79. 79心xīnheart
  80. 80美měibeautiful; pretty
  81. 81主zhǔmaster; owner
  82. 82力lìforce; strength
  83. 83同tóngsame; alike
  84. 84理lǐreason; logic
  85. 85如rúlike; as
  86. 86去qùto go
  87. 87机jīmachine; engine
  88. 88经jīngto pass through; to undergo
  89. 89而érand; and yet
  90. 90女nǚwoman; female
  91. 91市shìcity; municipality
  92. 92那nàthat
  93. 93着zhe(particle) marks an ongoing action or state
  94. 94进jìnto enter; to go in
  95. 95等děngto wait
  96. 96实shíreal; true
  97. 97点diǎnpoint; dot
  98. 98部bùpart; section
  99. 99情qíngfeeling; emotion
  100. 100事shìthing; matter

101 to 250

With the ones before, 57.4% of the characters on a page

  1. 101体tǐbody
  2. 102里lǐinside; interior
  3. 103其qíhis; her
  4. 104月yuèmonth
  5. 105定dìngto fix; to set
  6. 106合héto close; to shut
  7. 107所suǒplace
  8. 108手shǒuhand
  9. 109法fǎlaw
  10. 110网wǎngnet
  11. 111者zhě(suffix) -er; person who does something (as in 作者)
  12. 112品pǐnarticle; product
  13. 113然ránright; correct
  14. 114度dùdegree (of temperature, angle)
  15. 115加jiāto add; to plus
  16. 116间jiānbetween; among
  17. 117起qǐto rise; to get up
  18. 118想xiǎngto think
  19. 119性xìngnature; character
  20. 120但dànbut; yet
  21. 121次cìclassifier for times and occurrences
  22. 122外wàioutside; outer
  23. 123更gèngmore; even more
  24. 124重zhòng, chóngheavy
  25. 125比bǐthan; compared with
  26. 126与yǔand; with
  27. 127长zhǎng, chángto grow
  28. 128关guānto close; to shut
  29. 129产chǎnto produce; to give birth
  30. 130文wénwriting; text
  31. 131被bèi(used to mark the passive) by
  32. 132提títo lift; to carry (in the hand)
  33. 133车chēcar; vehicle
  34. 134电diànelectricity
  35. 135化huàto change; to transform
  36. 136意yìidea; meaning
  37. 137通tōngto go through; to lead to
  38. 138三sānthree
  39. 139场chǎngplace; field
  40. 140内nèiinside; inner
  41. 141第dì(prefix) marks an ordinal number (as in 第一)
  42. 142只zhǐonly; just
  43. 143位wèiclassifier for people (polite)
  44. 144入rùto enter
  45. 145表biǎotable; form
  46. 146果guǒfruit
  47. 147将jiāngwill; going to
  48. 148相xiāngeach other; mutually
  49. 149感gǎnto feel
  50. 150当dāngto act as; to work as
  51. 151真zhēnreal; true
  52. 152及jíand
  53. 153务wùaffair; business
  54. 154老lǎoold; aged
  55. 155些xiēsome; a few
  56. 156种zhǒngkind; type
  57. 157常chángoften; frequently
  58. 158期qīperiod; term
  59. 159因yīnbecause; because of
  60. 160水shuǐwater
  61. 161名míngname
  62. 162明míngbright; light
  63. 163平píngflat; level
  64. 164正zhèngstraight; upright
  65. 165做zuòto do
  66. 166量liàngamount; quantity
  67. 167身shēnbody
  68. 168无wúnot have; without
  69. 169己jǐoneself (as in 自己)
  70. 170制zhìsystem
  71. 171区qūarea; region
  72. 172样yàngappearance; look
  73. 173色sècolor
  74. 174信xìnletter
  75. 175知zhīto know
  76. 176此cǐthis
  77. 177保bǎoto protect; to keep (as in 保护)
  78. 178展zhǎnto unfold; to spread out (as in 展开)
  79. 179安ānsafe; secure
  80. 180金jīngold
  81. 181目mùeye
  82. 182打dǎto hit; to beat
  83. 183物wùthing; object
  84. 184特tèspecial; particular
  85. 185资zīmoney; capital
  86. 186应yìng, yīngto answer; to respond
  87. 187员yuánperson; member
  88. 188服fúclothes
  89. 189已yǐalready
  90. 190回huíto return; to go back
  91. 191建jiànto build; to construct
  92. 192她tāshe; her
  93. 193从cóngfrom
  94. 194直zhístraight
  95. 195接jiēto receive; to accept
  96. 196少shǎo, shàofew; little
  97. 197系xìsystem
  98. 198视shìto look at; to watch (as in 视频, 电视)
  99. 199交jiāoto hand over; to hand in
  100. 200民mínthe people
  101. 201活huóto live; to be alive
  102. 202台táiplatform; stage
  103. 203快kuàifast; quick
  104. 204管guǎntube; pipe
  105. 205给gěito give
  106. 206并bìngand; and also
  107. 207口kǒumouth
  108. 208式shìstyle; type
  109. 209影yǐngshadow
  110. 210或huòor
  111. 211代dàigeneration
  112. 212利lìadvantage; benefit
  113. 213设shèto set up; to establish
  114. 214太tàitoo; excessively
  115. 215两liǎngtwo (used with a classifier)
  116. 216什shén(used in 什么) what
  117. 217数shùnumber; figure
  118. 218问wènto ask
  119. 219让ràngto let; to allow
  120. 220程chéngjourney; distance (as in 路程)
  121. 221解jiěto separate; to untie
  122. 222政zhèngpolitics; government (as in 政治)
  123. 223二èrtwo
  124. 224完wánto finish; to be over
  125. 225使shǐto make; to cause
  126. 226需xūto need; to require
  127. 227把bǎ(used to bring the object before the verb)
  128. 228放fàngto put; to place
  129. 229教jiàoreligion
  130. 230原yuánoriginal; former
  131. 231线xiànthread; string
  132. 232片piànthin piece; slice
  133. 233司sīdepartment (of a ministry)
  134. 234路lùroad; path
  135. 235头tóuhead
  136. 236件jiànclassifier for clothes, matters and items (as in 一件衣服, 一件事)
  137. 237十shíten
  138. 238受shòuto receive; to accept
  139. 239题títopic; subject
  140. 240西xīwest
  141. 241今jīnnow; present (as in 今天)
  142. 242流liúto flow
  143. 243再zàiagain
  144. 244元yuányuan (unit of Chinese money)
  145. 245友yǒufriend (as in 朋友)
  146. 246计jìto count; to calculate
  147. 247门méndoor; gate
  148. 248吃chīto eat
  149. 249向xiàngtoward; to
  150. 250价jiàprice; cost

251 to 500

With the ones before, 74.1% of the characters on a page

  1. 251气qìair; gas
  2. 252爱àito love
  3. 253持chíto hold; to grasp (as in 手持)
  4. 254别biédon't
  5. 255海hǎisea; ocean
  6. 256商shāngcommerce; business (as in 商业)
  7. 257任rènto appoint
  8. 258各gèeach; every
  9. 259游yóuto travel; to tour
  10. 260房fánghouse
  11. 261又yòuagain
  12. 262才cáijust; only just
  13. 263收shōuto receive; to accept
  14. 264由yóuby (marks who does something)
  15. 265球qiúball
  16. 266强qiángstrong; powerful
  17. 267话huàwords; speech
  18. 268示shìto show; to indicate (as in 表示, 显示)
  19. 269非fēinot; non- (as in 非法)
  20. 270神shéngod; deity
  21. 271报bàonewspaper
  22. 272啊āah; oh (surprise)
  23. 273基jībase; foundation
  24. 274东dōngeast
  25. 275求qiúto ask; to request
  26. 276站zhànto stand
  27. 277至zhìto; until
  28. 278单dānsingle; alone
  29. 279白báiwhite
  30. 280近jìnnear; close
  31. 281结jiéto tie; to knot
  32. 282据jùaccording to; based on
  33. 283北běinorth
  34. 284格gésquare; grid
  35. 285每měieach; every
  36. 286先xiānfirst; in advance
  37. 287风fēngwind
  38. 288该gāishould; ought to
  39. 289选xuǎnto choose; to select
  40. 290费fèifee; expense
  41. 291技jìskill; technique
  42. 292记jìto remember
  43. 293世shìworld; society (as in 世界)
  44. 294总zǒngalways; all along
  45. 295整zhěngwhole; complete
  46. 296万wànten thousand
  47. 297带dàito bring; to take
  48. 298图túpicture; drawing
  49. 299觉juéto feel
  50. 300清qīngclear; clean
  51. 301集jíto gather; to collect
  52. 302立lìto stand
  53. 303推tuīto push
  54. 304包bāoto wrap
  55. 305处chǔ, chùto deal with; to handle
  56. 306走zǒuto walk
  57. 307级jílevel; grade
  58. 308师shīteacher; master
  59. 309指zhǐfinger
  60. 310男nánmale; man
  61. 311光guānglight; ray
  62. 312儿ér, rson; child
  63. 313战zhànwar; battle
  64. 314吧bābar; café (as in 酒吧, 网吧)
  65. 315质zhìnature; character (as in 性质, 本质)
  66. 316城chéngcity; town
  67. 317容róngto contain; to hold
  68. 318精jīngrefined; choice
  69. 319联liánto unite; to join
  70. 320界jièboundary
  71. 321息xībreath (as in 气息)
  72. 322南nánsouth
  73. 323术shùskill; art
  74. 324运yùnto move; to transport (as in 运输)
  75. 325科kēbranch of study; subject (as in 理科)
  76. 326哈hā(onomatopoeia) ha (laughter)
  77. 327空kōngempty; hollow
  78. 328调tiáo, diàoto adjust; to tune
  79. 329乐lè, yuèhappy; cheerful
  80. 330客kèguest; visitor
  81. 331专zhuānspecial; specialized
  82. 332见jiànto see
  83. 333住zhùto live; to stay
  84. 334变biànto change; to become
  85. 335布bùcloth; fabric
  86. 336注zhùto pour; to inject
  87. 337吗má(coll.) what (as in 干吗)
  88. 338导dǎoto lead; to guide (as in 领导, 指导)
  89. 339统tǒngto unite; to unify (as in 统一)
  90. 340店diànshop; store
  91. 341社shèsociety; organization (as in 社会, 社团)
  92. 342四sìfour
  93. 343何hé(literary) what; how
  94. 344标biāomark; sign (as in 标志)
  95. 345像xiàngto look like; to resemble
  96. 346造zàoto make; to build
  97. 347首shǒuclassifier for songs and poems
  98. 348几jǐhow many; how much
  99. 349超chāoto exceed; to surpass
  100. 350花huāflower; blossom
  101. 351院yuàncourtyard; yard
  102. 352供gōngto supply; to provide (as in 供应)
  103. 353规guīrule; regulation (as in 规则)
  104. 354它tāit
  105. 355传chuánto pass on; to transmit
  106. 356具jùtool; implement (as in 工具)
  107. 357改gǎito change; to alter
  108. 358频pínfrequently; repeatedly (as in 频繁)
  109. 359便biànconvenient; handy
  110. 360认rènto recognize; to know (as in 认得)
  111. 361玩wánto play; to have fun
  112. 362户hùhousehold; family
  113. 363干gàn, gānto do; to work
  114. 364型xíngmodel; type
  115. 365错cuòwrong; mistaken
  116. 366易yìeasy
  117. 367共gòngtogether; common
  118. 368增zēngto increase; to add
  119. 369装zhuāngto pack; to load
  120. 370源yuánsource; origin (as in 来源)
  121. 371山shānmountain; hill
  122. 372支zhīto support; to prop up
  123. 373效xiàoeffect; result (as in 效果)
  124. 374创chuàngto create; to start (as in 创造, 创业)
  125. 375考kǎoto take an exam
  126. 376怎zěnhow; why (as in 怎么)
  127. 377候hòuto wait; to await (as in 等候)
  128. 378越yuèto cross; to go beyond (as in 超越)
  129. 379深shēndeep
  130. 380消xiāoto disappear; to vanish (as in 消失)
  131. 381播bōto broadcast; to air (as in 广播)
  132. 382企qǐenterprise; company (short for 企业)
  133. 383投tóuto throw; to toss
  134. 384备bèito prepare; to get ready (as in 准备)
  135. 385眼yǎneye
  136. 386個gè(verb + 個 + result) casually; to the point of
  137. 387队duìteam; group
  138. 388步bùstep; pace
  139. 389版bǎnedition; version (as in 新版)
  140. 390组zǔgroup; team
  141. 391速sùspeed; velocity
  142. 392节jiéfestival; holiday (as in 春节)
  143. 393未wèinot yet; have not
  144. 394反fǎnreverse; opposite
  145. 395类lèikind; type
  146. 396观guānto look at; to watch (as in 观看)
  147. 397音yīnsound; tone
  148. 398來lái(in 對…來說, 從…來看) as for; seen from
  149. 399书shūbook
  150. 400取qǔto take; to get
  151. 401算suànto calculate; to count
  152. 402赛sàicompetition; match
  153. 403项xiàngitem; term
  154. 404确quèreally; truly (as in 的确)
  155. 405较jiàofairly; relatively
  156. 406酒jiǔalcohol; liquor
  157. 407边biānside; edge
  158. 408形xíngshape; form
  159. 409跟gēnto follow
  160. 410治zhìto treat; to cure (an illness)
  161. 411准zhǔnaccurate; exact
  162. 412查cháto check; to examine
  163. 413周zhōuweek
  164. 414孩háichild (as in 孩子)
  165. 415办bànto do; to handle
  166. 416五wǔfive
  167. 417达dáto reach; to arrive at
  168. 418欢huānhappy; joyous
  169. 419始shǐbeginning; start (as in 开始)
  170. 420证zhèngcertificate; card
  171. 421望wàngto look; to gaze into the distance
  172. 422论lùnto discuss; to talk about
  173. 423医yīmedicine; medical science (as in 医学)
  174. 424字zìcharacter; written word
  175. 425模móimitation; model
  176. 426号hàonumber
  177. 427告gàoto tell; to inform (as in 告诉)
  178. 428斯sī(literary) this
  179. 429转zhuǎnto turn; to change (direction, situation)
  180. 430早zǎoearly
  181. 431星xīngstar
  182. 432领lǐngto lead
  183. 433喜xǐhappy; joyful
  184. 434马mǎhorse
  185. 435热rèhot
  186. 436续xùto continue (as in 继续)
  187. 437料liàomaterial; stuff (as in 材料)
  188. 438听tīngto listen; to hear
  189. 439王wángking
  190. 440育yùto give birth
  191. 441声shēngsound; voice
  192. 442条tiáoclassifier for long thin things, rivers, roads, fish, messages, news and items
  193. 443配pèito match; to go with
  194. 444难nándifficult; hard
  195. 445功gōngmerit; achievement
  196. 446广guǎngwide; broad
  197. 447器qìdevice; tool
  198. 448送sòngto send; to deliver
  199. 449值zhívalue; worth (as in 价值)
  200. 450议yìto discuss; to debate
  201. 451决juéto decide; to determine (as in 决定)
  202. 452局júbureau; office (as in 公安局)
  203. 453低dīlow
  204. 454优yōuexcellent; superior (as in 优秀)
  205. 455研yánto research; to study (as in 研究)
  206. 456拉lāto pull; to drag
  207. 457案àncase; legal case (as in 案件)
  208. 458引yǐnto lead; to guide
  209. 459病bìngillness; disease
  210. 460款kuǎnsum of money; fund (as in 存款)
  211. 461京jīngcapital city
  212. 462请qǐngplease
  213. 463防fángto guard against; to prevent
  214. 464死sǐto die
  215. 465找zhǎoto look for; to seek
  216. 466排páirow; line
  217. 467戏xìplay; drama
  218. 468您nín(polite) you
  219. 469照zhàoto shine; to illuminate
  220. 470足zúfoot; leg
  221. 471省shěngprovince
  222. 472火huǒfire
  223. 473复fùto reply; to answer (as in 回复)
  224. 474牌páisign; plaque
  225. 475且qiěand; moreover (as in 而且)
  226. 476华huáChina; Chinese (as in 中华, 华人)
  227. 477升shēngto rise; to go up
  228. 478呢ne(particle) for questions about something just mentioned: and ...?; what about
  229. 479股gǔshare; stock (as in 股票)
  230. 480存cúnto exist; to live (as in 生存)
  231. 481权quánpower; authority
  232. 482极jíextremely; very
  233. 483黑hēiblack; dark
  234. 484食shíto eat
  235. 485约yuēto make an appointment; to arrange to meet
  236. 486环huánring; hoop
  237. 487根gēnroot
  238. 488校xiàoschool (as in 学校)
  239. 489态tàicondition; state (as in 状态)
  240. 490习xíto practice; to study (as in 学习, 练习)
  241. 491除chúexcept; besides (as in 除了)
  242. 492试shìto try; to test
  243. 493微wēitiny; minute
  244. 494拍pāito pat; to clap
  245. 495州zhōustate (of the US, Australia, etc.)
  246. 496士shìscholar; gentleman (as in 士大夫)
  247. 497往wǎngtoward; to (a direction)
  248. 498满mǎnfull; filled
  249. 499助zhùto help; to assist
  250. 500言yánwords; speech

501 to 1,000

With the ones before, 88.8% of the characters on a page

  1. 501百bǎihundred
  2. 502味wèitaste; flavor
  3. 503营yíngcamp; barracks
  4. 504演yǎnto act; to perform
  5. 505思sīto think; to consider
  6. 506语yǔlanguage; speech (as in 语言, 汉语)
  7. 507必bìcertainly; surely
  8. 508离líto leave; to part from
  9. 509亚yàAsia (short for 亚洲)
  10. 510参cānto take part in; to join (as in 参加)
  11. 511买mǎito buy; to purchase
  12. 512称chēngto call; to name
  13. 513官guānofficial; officer
  14. 514钱qiánmoney
  15. 515即jínamely; that is
  16. 516哪nǎwhich
  17. 517施shīto carry out; to put into effect (as in 实施)
  18. 518置zhìto place; to put
  19. 519免miǎnto exempt; to excuse (as in 免费)
  20. 520率lǜrate; ratio
  21. 521修xiūto repair; to mend
  22. 522连liánto link; to connect
  23. 523党dǎngparty (political)
  24. 524验yànto examine; to check
  25. 525军jūnarmy; troops
  26. 526英yīngBritain; English (short for 英国, 英语)
  27. 527张zhāngclassifier for flat objects (paper, tables, beds, faces)
  28. 528境jìngborder; boundary (as in 边境)
  29. 529段duànclassifier for sections, passages and stretches of time or road
  30. 530护hùto protect; to guard (as in 保护)
  31. 531底dǐbottom; base
  32. 532红hóngred
  33. 533落luòto fall; to drop
  34. 534够gòuenough; sufficient
  35. 535致zhìto send; to extend (greetings) (as in 致敬)
  36. 536况kuàngsituation; condition (as in 情况)
  37. 537随suíto follow
  38. 538列lièto arrange; to line up
  39. 539控kòngto control (as in 控制)
  40. 540委wěito entrust; to appoint (as in 委托)
  41. 541材cáimaterial (as in 材料)
  42. 542众zhòngmany; numerous
  43. 543香xiāngfragrant; sweet-smelling
  44. 544油yóuoil; fat
  45. 545命mìnglife (as in 生命)
  46. 546失shīto lose
  47. 547评píngto comment; to criticize
  48. 548显xiǎnto show; to display (as in 显示)
  49. 549哥gēolder brother
  50. 550彩cǎicolor (as in 色彩)
  51. 551過guò(after verb) finished; done (吃過飯)
  52. 552际jìborder; edge (as in 边际)
  53. 553构gòuto construct; to form (as in 构成, 结构)
  54. 554势shìpower; influence (as in 势力)
  55. 555半bànhalf; semi-
  56. 556象xiàngelephant
  57. 557识shíto know; to recognize (as in 认识)
  58. 558操cāoto hold; to grasp
  59. 559板bǎnboard; plank
  60. 560团tuángroup; society
  61. 561预yùin advance; beforehand (as in 预先, 预报)
  62. 562笑xiàoto laugh; to smile
  63. 563责zéresponsibility; duty (as in 责任)
  64. 564亲qīnparent; relative (as in 父亲, 亲戚)
  65. 565角jiǎo, juéhorn; antler
  66. 566双shuāngpair; couple
  67. 567米mǐrice
  68. 568餐cānmeal; food
  69. 569朋péngfriend (as in 朋友)
  70. 570故gùreason; cause (as in 缘故)
  71. 571景jǐngview; scenery
  72. 572福fúgood fortune; blessing
  73. 573克kègram
  74. 574限xiànlimit; bound (as in 期限)
  75. 575许xǔto allow; to permit (as in 允许)
  76. 576划huàto delimit; to mark off (as in 划分)
  77. 577养yǎngto raise (animals); to keep (pets)
  78. 578获huòto get; to obtain (as in 获得)
  79. 579职zhíjob; post
  80. 580府fǔgovernment office (as in 政府)
  81. 581究jiūto study; to investigate (as in 研究)
  82. 582份fènportion; share
  83. 583青qīngblue or green
  84. 584则zéthen; in that case
  85. 585响xiǎngto sound; to ring
  86. 586卡kǎcard
  87. 587济jìto help; to aid (as in 救济)
  88. 588晚wǎnevening; night
  89. 589留liúto stay; to remain
  90. 590妹mèiyounger sister
  91. 591历lìto go through; to experience (as in 经历)
  92. 592叫jiàoto call; to shout
  93. 593轻qīnglight (in weight)
  94. 594發fāto become; to start to feel (發黃, 發麻)
  95. 595妈māmom; mother
  96. 596林línforest; woods
  97. 597载zài, zǎito carry; to load
  98. 598宝bǎotreasure; precious thing
  99. 599素sùplain; simple
  100. 600终zhōngend; finish (as in 终点)
  101. 601销xiāoto sell; to market (as in 销售)
  102. 602拿náto take; to hold
  103. 603按ànto press; to push down
  104. 604远yuǎnfar; distant
  105. 605采cǎito pick; to pluck
  106. 606适shìto fit; to suit (as in 适合)
  107. 607货huògoods; commodity
  108. 608普pǔgeneral; universal (as in 普遍, 普通)
  109. 609断duànto break; to snap
  110. 610群qúngroup; crowd
  111. 611肉ròumeat; flesh
  112. 612差chà, chābad; poor
  113. 613江jiāngriver (esp. a large one)
  114. 614還hái(emphatic) really; actually (還真)
  115. 615德dévirtue; morality
  116. 616购gòuto buy; to purchase (as in 购买, 购物)
  117. 617细xìthin; slender
  118. 618港gǎngharbor; port
  119. 619却quèbut; yet
  120. 620义yìjustice; righteousness
  121. 621险xiǎndanger; risk (as in 危险)
  122. 622室shìroom
  123. 623居jūto live; to reside
  124. 624夜yènight; evening
  125. 625域yùregion; area
  126. 626切qiè, qiēclose to; intimate (as in 亲切)
  127. 627简jiǎnsimple; brief (as in 简单)
  128. 628击jīto hit; to strike
  129. 629歌gēsong
  130. 630激jīto stir up; to excite
  131. 631希xīto hope (as in 希望)
  132. 632票piàoticket
  133. 633例lìexample; instance (as in 例子)
  134. 634互hùmutual; each other (as in 互相)
  135. 635破pòbroken; damaged
  136. 636享xiǎngto enjoy (as in 享受)
  137. 637黄huángyellow
  138. 638久jiǔlong (time)
  139. 639择zéto choose; to select
  140. 640假jiǎ, jiàfake; false
  141. 641警jǐngpolice (as in 警察)
  142. 642現xiànon the spot; freshly (現做, 現炒)
  143. 643班bānclass; team (as in 班级)
  144. 644降jiàngto fall; to drop
  145. 645初chūat first; initial
  146. 646血xuèblood
  147. 647尔ěr(literary) you
  148. 648依yīto depend on; to rely on (as in 依靠)
  149. 649智zhìwisdom; intelligence (as in 智慧)
  150. 650健jiànhealthy; strong (as in 健康)
  151. 651写xiěto write
  152. 652积jīto accumulate; to amass
  153. 653季jìseason (as in 季节)
  154. 654属shǔto belong to; to be (as in 属于)
  155. 655读dúto read; to read aloud
  156. 656仅jǐnonly; merely
  157. 657策cèplan; scheme
  158. 658待dàito wait; to await
  159. 659停tíngto stop; to halt
  160. 660测cèto measure; to survey (as in 测量)
  161. 661阳yángsun; sunshine (as in 阳光)
  162. 662温wēnwarm; lukewarm
  163. 663土tǔsoil; earth
  164. 664维wéito maintain; to safeguard (as in 维护)
  165. 665刚gāngjust; just now (as in 刚才)
  166. 666检jiǎnto check; to examine (as in 检查)
  167. 667旅lǚto travel; to stay away from home (as in 旅行)
  168. 668般bānkind; sort
  169. 669啪pā(onomatopoeia) slap; crack
  170. 670另lìngother; another
  171. 671巴bā(suffix) used in some nouns (as in 尾巴, 嘴巴)
  172. 672姐jiěolder sister
  173. 673著zhùto write; to compose
  174. 674画huàpainting; picture
  175. 675帮bāngto help; to assist
  176. 676介jièto lie between; to introduce (as in 介绍)
  177. 677開kāito set up; to run (a shop, business)
  178. 678丝sīsilk
  179. 679飞fēito fly
  180. 680套tàoclassifier for sets, suites and series
  181. 681围wéito surround; to encircle
  182. 682换huànto change; to replace
  183. 683艺yìskill; art (as in 艺术, 手艺)
  184. 684压yāto press; to push down
  185. 685融róngto melt; to thaw
  186. 686举jǔto lift; to raise
  187. 687村cūnvillage
  188. 688售shòuto sell (as in 出售, 售票)
  189. 689史shǐhistory (as in 历史)
  190. 690母mǔmother
  191. 691严yánstrict; stern
  192. 692负fùto carry on the back; to bear (as in 负担)
  193. 693突tūsuddenly; abruptly (as in 突然)
  194. 694剧jùdrama; play
  195. 695核hépit; stone (of fruit)
  196. 696充chōngto fill; to supply
  197. 697药yàomedicine; drug
  198. 698范fànmodel; example (as in 模范)
  199. 699爆bàoto explode; to burst
  200. 700博bóextensive; wide
  201. 701亮liàngbright; shiny
  202. 702石shístone; rock
  203. 703编biānto weave; to plait
  204. 704阿ā(prefix) used before names and kinship terms (as in 阿姨, 阿明)
  205. 705层cénglayer; stratum
  206. 706监jiānto supervise; to oversee (as in 监督)
  207. 707益yìbenefit; profit (as in 利益, 收益)
  208. 708章zhāngchapter; section
  209. 709律lǜlaw; rule (as in 法律, 纪律)
  210. 710皮pískin; hide
  211. 711穿chuānto wear; to put on
  212. 712古gǔancient; old
  213. 713富fùrich; wealthy
  214. 714争zhēngto strive for; to compete for
  215. 715奇qístrange; odd
  216. 716农nóngagriculture; farming (as in 农业)
  217. 717协xiéto assist; to help (as in 协助)
  218. 718园yuángarden; orchard (as in 花园, 果园)
  219. 719讲jiǎngto speak; to say
  220. 720短duǎnshort; brief
  221. 721亿yìhundred million
  222. 722退tuìto retreat; to move back
  223. 723衣yīclothes; clothing (as in 衣服)
  224. 724状zhuàngshape; form
  225. 725害hàito harm; to hurt
  226. 726念niànto read aloud
  227. 727云yúncloud
  228. 728千qiānthousand
  229. 729承chéngto bear; to undertake (as in 承担)
  230. 730谢xièto thank
  231. 731止zhǐto stop; to halt (as in 停止)
  232. 732汽qìsteam; vapor
  233. 733否fǒuno; not (as in 是否)
  234. 734财cáiwealth; money
  235. 735密mìdense; close
  236. 736紧jǐntight; taut
  237. 737纪jìdiscipline (as in 纪律)
  238. 738录lùto record; to write down (as in 记录)
  239. 739康kānghealthy (as in 健康)
  240. 740露lù, lòudew
  241. 741洲zhōucontinent (as in 亚洲)
  242. 742奶nǎimilk
  243. 743均jūnall; without exception
  244. 744八bāeight
  245. 745印yìnto print
  246. 746善shàngood; kind (as in 善良)
  247. 747银yínsilver
  248. 748李lǐplum
  249. 749六liùsix
  250. 750某mǒusome; a certain (as in 某人, 某天)
  251. 751族zúethnic group; nationality (as in 汉族)
  252. 752菜càivegetable
  253. 753尽jìn, jǐnto exhaust; to use up
  254. 754脸liǎnface
  255. 755夫fūhusband (as in 丈夫, 夫妻)
  256. 756似sìto resemble; similar (as in 相似)
  257. 757遇yùto meet; to encounter
  258. 758减jiǎnto subtract; to minus
  259. 759伤shāngwound; injury
  260. 760河hériver
  261. 761刻kèto carve; to engrave
  262. 762卖màito sell
  263. 763曾céngonce; at one time (in the past)
  264. 764疗liáoto treat; to cure (as in 治疗, 医疗)
  265. 765岁suìyears old; year (of age)
  266. 766批pībatch; lot
  267. 767绝juéto cut off; to sever
  268. 768粉fěnpowder
  269. 769独dúalone; single
  270. 770坚jiānhard; firm
  271. 771谁shéiwho
  272. 772慢mànslow
  273. 773付fùto pay
  274. 774略lüèslightly; a little (as in 略微)
  275. 775括kuòto include (as in 包括)
  276. 776织zhīto weave
  277. 777兴xīng, xìngto rise; to flourish
  278. 778龙lóngdragon
  279. 779背bèiback (of the body)
  280. 780冷lěngcold
  281. 781座zuòseat
  282. 782端duānend; extremity (as in 尖端)
  283. 783春chūnspring (season)
  284. 784木mùtree
  285. 785跑pǎoto run
  286. 786搭dāto put up; to build (as in 搭帐篷)
  287. 787宣xuānto declare; to announce (as in 宣布)
  288. 788武wǔmilitary; martial
  289. 789毛máohair; fur
  290. 790虽suīalthough; even though (as in 虽然)
  291. 791招zhāoto recruit; to enroll (as in 招生)
  292. 792楼lóubuilding (with more than one story)
  293. 793吸xīto inhale; to breathe in
  294. 794令lìngto make; to cause (as in 令人感动)
  295. 795继jìto continue; to follow (as in 继续)
  296. 796透tòuto penetrate; to pass through
  297. 797副fùdeputy; vice- (as in 副总统)
  298. 798罗luónet (for catching birds)
  299. 799软ruǎnsoft; flexible
  300. 800索suǒlarge rope; cable
  301. 801射shèto shoot; to fire
  302. 802仍réngstill; yet (as in 仍然)
  303. 803疫yìepidemic; plague (as in 疫情, 瘟疫)
  304. 804码mǎcode; number (as in 号码, 密码)
  305. 805补bǔto mend; to patch
  306. 806课kèclass; lesson
  307. 807場chǎngclassifier for events, performances, campaigns etc
  308. 808牛niúcow; ox
  309. 809铁tiěiron (metal)
  310. 810波bōwave (as in 波浪)
  311. 811闻wénto hear
  312. 812靠kàoto lean against; to lean on
  313. 813怕pàto fear; to be afraid of
  314. 814欧ōuEurope (short for 欧洲)
  315. 815追zhuīto chase; to pursue
  316. 816逼bīto force; to compel
  317. 817担dānto carry on a shoulder pole
  318. 818卫wèito guard; to defend (as in 保卫)
  319. 819婚hūnmarriage; wedding (as in 结婚, 婚礼)
  320. 820熟shúripe
  321. 821插chāto insert; to stick in
  322. 822县xiàncounty
  323. 823航hángto sail; to navigate (as in 航行)
  324. 824愿yuànto wish; to be willing (as in 愿意)
  325. 825志zhìwill; aspiration (as in 志向)
  326. 826络luònet; network (as in 网络)
  327. 827父fùfather
  328. 828诉sùto tell; to relate (as in 告诉, 诉说)
  329. 829午wǔnoon; midday (as in 中午)
  330. 830良liánggood; fine (as in 良好)
  331. 831坐zuòto sit
  332. 832甚shènvery; extremely
  333. 833登dēngto climb; to ascend
  334. 834草cǎograss; straw
  335. 835饭fànmeal
  336. 836块kuàiclassifier for pieces, lumps, chunks
  337. 837察cháto examine; to inspect
  338. 838雨yǔrain
  339. 839妇fùwoman (as in 妇女)
  340. 840答dáto answer; to reply
  341. 841左zuǒleft
  342. 842弟dìyounger brother
  343. 843沙shāsand; gravel
  344. 844若ruòif; as if (as in 假若)
  345. 845當dāngin front of; facing (當著…的面)
  346. 846脑nǎobrain
  347. 847竟jìngunexpectedly; actually (as in 竟然)
  348. 848鱼yúfish
  349. 849九jiǔnine
  350. 850额éforehead (as in 额头)
  351. 851洗xǐto wash; to bathe
  352. 852乎hū(suffix) after adjectives and verbs (as in 几乎, 在乎, 似乎)
  353. 853培péito bank up with earth
  354. 854掉diàoto fall; to drop
  355. 855异yìdifferent; other (as in 异国)
  356. 856七qīseven
  357. 857爸bàdad; father
  358. 858含hánto hold in the mouth
  359. 859析xīto analyze; to dissect (as in 分析)
  360. 860秀xiùelegant; beautiful (as in 秀丽)
  361. 861灵língquick; nimble
  362. 862移yíto move; to shift
  363. 863倒dǎo, dàoto fall; to topple
  364. 864审shěnto examine; to review
  365. 865圈quāncircle; ring
  366. 866述shùto state; to narrate (as in 叙述, 描述)
  367. 867狗gǒudog
  368. 868盘pánplate; dish
  369. 869急jíanxious; worried
  370. 870奖jiǎngprize; award
  371. 871巨jùhuge; enormous
  372. 872训xùnto teach; to lecture
  373. 873梦mèngdream
  374. 874央yāngcenter; middle (as in 中央)
  375. 875申shēnto state; to express (as in 申请, 申明)
  376. 876须xūmust; have to (as in 必须)
  377. 877睡shuìto sleep; to go to bed
  378. 878床chuángbed
  379. 879稳wěnsteady; stable
  380. 880救jiùto save; to rescue
  381. 881句jùsentence
  382. 882贵guìexpensive; costly
  383. 883漫mànto overflow; to flood
  384. 884馆guǎnhall; building (as in 博物馆, 图书馆)
  385. 885右yòuright (side)
  386. 886杀shāto kill; to slaughter
  387. 887盟méngalliance; league
  388. 888鸡jīchicken; fowl
  389. 889冲chōngto rush; to charge
  390. 890妻qīwife (as in 妻子, 未婚妻)
  391. 891蛋dànegg
  392. 892偷tōuto steal
  393. 893苦kǔbitter
  394. 894址zhǐsite; location (as in 地址, 遗址)
  395. 895临línto face; to overlook (as in 临街)
  396. 896庭tíngcourtyard (as in 庭院)
  397. 897练liànto practice; to train
  398. 898攻gōngto attack; to assault
  399. 899挺tǐngquite; rather
  400. 900输shūto lose; to be defeated
  401. 901媒méimatchmaker; go-between (as in 媒人)
  402. 902趣qùinterest; delight (as in 兴趣, 有趣)
  403. 903革géleather; hide
  404. 904席xíseat; place (as in 座席)
  405. 905币bìmoney; currency
  406. 906私sīprivate; personal
  407. 907派pàito send; to dispatch
  408. 908啦lā(particle) combination of 了 and 啊, expressing completion with emotion
  409. 909休xiūto rest (as in 休息)
  410. 910执zhíto hold; to grasp
  411. 911迎yíngto welcome; to greet (as in 欢迎)
  412. 912威wēipower; might
  413. 913疑yíto doubt; to suspect
  414. 914朝cháotoward; facing
  415. 915钟zhōngclock
  416. 916兰lánorchid (as in 兰花)
  417. 917轮lúnwheel
  418. 918缺quēto lack; to be short of
  419. 919網wǎngthe internet; online (上網, 網上)
  420. 920丰fēngabundant; plentiful (as in 丰富, 丰收)
  421. 921绍shào(used in 介绍) to introduce
  422. 922乳rǔbreast
  423. 923街jiēstreet
  424. 924幕mùcurtain; screen (as in 银幕, 屏幕)
  425. 925守shǒuto guard; to defend
  426. 926冠guān, guànhat (as in 衣冠)
  427. 927患huànto suffer from (an illness)
  428. 928序xùorder; sequence (as in 顺序, 秩序)
  429. 929颜yánface; countenance (as in 颜面)
  430. 930讯xùnnews; message (as in 通讯, 资讯)
  431. 931典diǎnclassic; scripture (as in 经典)
  432. 932乡xiāngcountryside; village
  433. 933舞wǔto dance
  434. 934谈tánto talk; to chat
  435. 935竞jìngto compete; to contend (as in 竞争, 竞赛)
  436. 936染rǎnto dye
  437. 937占zhànto occupy; to take up
  438. 938韩hánSouth Korea; Korea (short for 韩国)
  439. 939架jiàframe; rack
  440. 940喝hēto drink
  441. 941斗dòuto fight; to struggle
  442. 942尼níBuddhist nun (as in 尼姑)
  443. 943湖húlake
  444. 944余yúsurplus; remainder (as in 剩余)
  445. 945幸xìngfortunate; lucky (as in 幸运, 幸福)
  446. 946静jìngstill; calm
  447. 947痛tòngpain; ache
  448. 948雷léithunder
  449. 949乱luàndisorderly; messy
  450. 950障zhàngto obstruct; to block (as in 障碍)
  451. 951苏sūto revive; to come back to life (as in 复苏)
  452. 952曲qǔ, qūsong; tune
  453. 953毒dúpoison; toxin
  454. 954藏cáng, zàngto hide; to conceal
  455. 955松sōngpine
  456. 956探tànto explore; to probe (as in 探索)
  457. 957野yěwild; uncultivated
  458. 958辆liàngclassifier for vehicles
  459. 959厂chǎngfactory; plant
  460. 960键jiànkey (of a keyboard, piano)
  461. 961跳tiàoto jump; to leap
  462. 962访fǎngto visit; to call on (as in 访问, 拜访)
  463. 963拥yōngto embrace; to hug (as in 拥抱)
  464. 964镇zhèntown; township
  465. 965堂tánghall; main room (as in 礼堂, 食堂)
  466. 966概gàigeneral; approximate (as in 大概, 概括)
  467. 967毕bìto finish; to complete (as in 毕业)
  468. 968魔módevil; demon (as in 魔鬼)
  469. 969迷míto be lost; to be confused
  470. 970硬yìnghard; stiff
  471. 971租zūto rent; to hire
  472. 972抗kàngto resist; to fight (as in 抵抗)
  473. 973兵bīngsoldier; troops
  474. 974顶dǐngtop; peak
  475. 975翻fānto turn over; to flip
  476. 976征zhēngto go on a long journey; expedition (as in 长征)
  477. 977零língzero; nought
  478. 978伴bàncompanion; partner
  479. 979抽chōuto take out; to draw
  480. 980链liànchain
  481. 981伙huǒpartner; companion (as in 伙伴)
  482. 982冰bīngice
  483. 983旧jiùold; used
  484. 984浪làngwave
  485. 985聚jùto gather; to assemble
  486. 986抓zhuāto grab; to seize
  487. 987唱chàngto sing
  488. 988损sǔnto damage; to harm (as in 损害, 损坏)
  489. 989签qiānslip of bamboo; lot (as in 抽签)
  490. 990词cíword; term
  491. 991净jìngclean
  492. 992呀yā(interjection) oh; ah (surprise)
  493. 993庆qìngto celebrate (as in 庆祝)
  494. 994诱yòuto lure; to entice
  495. 995础chǔplinth; base (as in 基础)
  496. 996税shuìtax; duty
  497. 997暴bàosudden and violent; fierce
  498. 998脚jiǎofoot
  499. 999顺shùnin the same direction as; along (as in 顺着)
  500. 1000树shùtree

How we counted

Our reader cut a large sample of Chinese web pages (FineWeb-2) into words, and each word’s count went to every character in it. A character’s pinyin is the reading its words use most; a second one shows when its words use it at least a sixth of the time, like 为 wèi, wéi.

Characters or words

Chinese is read in words, not characters: 东西 is “thing”, not “east west”. Learn a character inside the words it’s used in. Tap a character above for its word page. Characters or pinyin first?

What is the most common Chinese character?

的 (de), the particle that marks possession and description, like ’s or “of”. It is about one character in every 30 on a page. Next come 是 (shì, to be), 一 (yī, one), 了 (le) and 不 (bù, not).

How many Chinese characters do you need to know?

The top 1,000 make up 88.8% of the characters on a Chinese web page and the top 2,000 97.3%. Knowing a character isn’t knowing every word it’s in, so read with words too: about 3,000 words is where most texts open up.

Are these Simplified or Traditional?

Simplified, the characters used in mainland China and Singapore. The count leaves out Traditional text.

More free tools

Chinese words by HSK level: every HSK word, one page each. How hard is this text?: a text’s HSK level and the words to learn first. Chinese numbers: any number in characters. Read any Mandarin: point at a word for its meaning.

Counted by Mandarin The Wild from FineWeb-2 web text; meanings from our dictionary.