The 500 most common Chinese words

These are the first 500 of a graded list of 2500, in the order a corpus of everyday writing says you will actually meet them. Learning them in this order is the fastest route to understanding most of what you read.

Meanings are given in English on this page. In the app they appear in your own language, translated on your device.

#	Word	Type	Meaning
1	一個	Determiners	a, one (of something)
2	我們	Pronouns	we; us
3	中國	Nouns	China
4	他們	Pronouns	they; them
5	沒有	Adverbs	have not; haven't; hasn't (done)
6	什麼	Pronouns	what
7	這個	Pronouns	this; this one
8	國家	Nouns	country (with sovereignty); nation
9	自己	Pronouns	self; oneself
10	問題	Nouns	question; query (Classifier: 個／个)
11	因為	Prepositions	owing to; due to; as a result of; because of
12	不是	Verbs	to not be
13	現在	Nouns	now, at present
14	怎麼	Adverbs	how
15	就是	Adverbs	exactly, precisely; that is
16	已經	Adverbs	already; anymore
17	這些	Pronouns	these
18	發展	Verbs	to develop; to expand; to grow
19	這樣	Adverbs	this way; such
20	開始	Verbs	to start; to begin; to commence
21	公司	Nouns	company; firm; corporation (Classifier: 個／个; 家; 間／间)
22	政府	Nouns	government
23	可能	Adverbs	maybe; perhaps; probably; might; may
24	工作	Nouns	work (employment)
25	社會	Nouns	society (aggregate of people living together); community
26	如果	Conjunctions	if
27	知道	Verbs	to know (something); to be aware of
28	進行	Verbs	to proceed with; to carry out; to conduct
29	世界	Nouns	world
30	不能	Verbs	cannot, must not
31	計劃	Verbs	to plan
32	成為	Verbs	to become; to turn into; to change into
33	時間	Nouns	time
34	認為	Verbs	to think (that); to believe (that)
35	需要	Nouns	need; requirement
36	國際	Nouns	international
37	地區	Nouns	area; region
38	時候	Nouns	period of time
39	使用	Verbs	to use; to utilize; to employ; to apply
40	經濟	Nouns	economy
41	活動	Verbs	to move; to move about
42	但是	Conjunctions	but; however
43	應該	Verbs	ought to; should (used as an auxiliary verb)
44	政治	Nouns	politics
45	歷史	Nouns	history (the study of past events)
46	不會	Verbs	will not; cannot
47	以及	Conjunctions	as well as; along with; and
48	情況	Nouns	situation; status; circumstances
49	真的	Adverbs	really
50	組織	Verbs	to organize; to arrange
51	人民	Nouns	people (collectively, as members of society)
52	其他	Determiners	other, the rest
53	發生	Verbs	to happen; to occur; to take place
54	主要	Adjectives	most important; principal; main; major; primary
55	地方	Nouns	place; region; area (Classifier: 個／个 m; 笪 c)
56	網站	Nouns	website; site
57	生活	Nouns	life (activities in life)
58	你們	Pronouns	you (plural); you all; you guys; you lot
59	通過	Prepositions	via; by; by means of; through
60	同時	Conjunctions	and; moreover; furthermore
61	必須	Verbs	must; have to (used as an auxiliary verb)
62	為了	Prepositions	for (the sake of); in order to; to
63	所以	Conjunctions	so, therefore
64	所有	Determiners	all, every
65	包括	Verbs	to include; to consist of
66	發現	Verbs	to discover; to find; to find out
67	還有	Conjunctions	besides; furthermore; and
68	一些	Determiners	some, a few
69	全國	Nouns	the whole country, nationwide
70	出現	Verbs	to appear; to emerge; to show
71	如何	Adverbs	how; what; in what way
72	決定	Verbs	to decide; to make a decision
73	為什麼	Adverbs	why; for what reason; how come
74	還是	Conjunctions	or
75	一樣	Adjectives	the same, alike
76	企業	Nouns	enterprise; firm; company; business
77	其中	Nouns	among them, of which
78	覺得	Verbs	to think (that); to believe (that)
79	重要	Conjunctions	Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see 重
80	影響	Nouns	influence; effect; disturbance (Classifier: 股 m)
81	喜歡	Verbs	to like; to be fond of; to be keen on
82	文化	Nouns	culture (Classifier: 個／个; 種／种)
83	起來	Verbs	to rise up; to get up
84	不過	Conjunctions	however; but
85	作為	Prepositions	as (a role); serving as; in the capacity of; being
86	學生	Nouns	student; pupil (Classifier: 位 m)
87	希望	Verbs	to hope; to wish
88	技術	Nouns	technology
89	提供	Verbs	to provide; to offer; to supply
90	要求	Verbs	to ask; to request; to require; to demand; to claim
91	那麼	Conjunctions	in that case; then
92	一定	Adverbs	definitely; certainly; surely; must
93	不同	Verbs	to be different; to differ; to disagree
94	電影	Nouns	film; motion picture; movie
95	不要	Verbs	to not want
96	只是	Conjunctions	however; but then
97	研究	Verbs	to research; to study
98	這麼	Adverbs	this; so; such (modifies adjectives)
99	關係	Nouns	relation; relationship; connection
100	出來	Verbs	to go from inside to outside
101	根據	Prepositions	according to; based on
102	系統	Nouns	system
103	任何	Adjectives	any; all
104	只有	Conjunctions	only; merely; just
105	服務	Nouns	service (Classifier: 項／项 m)
106	結果	Nouns	result, outcome
107	這裡	Pronouns	here
108	一起	Determiners	an instance of; a case of
109	因此	Conjunctions	because of this; thus; consequently
110	看到	Verbs	to catch sight of; to see
111	遊戲	Nouns	game (playful or competitive activity, except sport)
112	雖然	Conjunctions	although
113	中心	Nouns	centre, middle; core
114	人們	Nouns	peoples; everybody
115	今天	Nouns	today
116	代表	Verbs	to represent
117	支持	Verbs	to support; to back
118	而且	Conjunctions	furthermore; in addition; moreover
119	一直	Adverbs	straight; straight ahead
120	城市	Nouns	city; town (Classifier: 個／个; 座)
121	市場	Nouns	market; bazaar; marketplace (in a town, city)
122	最後	Nouns	the last; finally, in the end
123	繼續	Verbs	to continue; to persist
124	之後	Nouns	after; later; afterwards
125	內容	Nouns	content; contents; substance; detail
126	對於	Prepositions	concerning; regarding; as for; about; to
127	教育	Verbs	to educate; to enlighten; to inculcate
128	東西	Nouns	thing, object
129	特別	Adverbs	especially; particularly
130	獲得	Verbs	to obtain; to acquire; to get; to win; to achieve
131	由於	Prepositions	owing to; due to; as a result of; because of
132	許多	Adjectives	a considerable number of; a significant amount of
133	校名	Nouns	school name
134	大學	Nouns	university; college (Classifier: 所 m; 間／间 c)
135	方式	Nouns	way; means; fashion; mode; style; pattern; manner
136	朋友	Nouns	friend (Classifier: 個／个 m c; 位 m c)
137	目前	Nouns	the present time; the current time; the current moment
138	表示	Verbs	to express; to state; to indicate; to opine; to declare
139	資料	Nouns	means (Classifier: 個／个)
140	一種	Nouns	kind; sort; type
141	孩子	Nouns	child (person who has not yet reached adulthood)
142	安全	Adjectives	safe; secure
143	關於	Prepositions	concerning; regarding; as for; about
144	大家	Pronouns	everyone; everybody; all of us
145	運動	Nouns	sports; athletics; exercise; game
146	部分	Nouns	part; section; segment; portion (Classifier: 個／个 m)
147	很多	Adjectives	many; much; a lot
148	非常	Adverbs	extremely; very; highly
149	建設	Verbs	to build; to construct; to establish; to set up
150	新聞	Nouns	news (reports of current events)
151	有人	Verbs	to have someone there; to be occupied; to be manned
152	歹丸郎	Nouns	Taiwanese person
153	自由	Nouns	freedom; liberty
154	參加	Verbs	to participate; to take part; to attend
155	當時	Nouns	at that time, back then
156	過去	Verbs	to go over; to pass by
157	那些	Pronouns	those
158	單位	Nouns	unit of measure; unit of measurement
159	完全	Adverbs	completely; absolutely; entirely
160	建立	Verbs	to found; to set up; to establish
161	得到	Verbs	to obtain; to acquire; to get; to win; to achieve
162	會議	Nouns	meeting; conference (Classifier: 場／场; 屆／届; 次)
163	有關	Verbs	to pertain; to be relevant; to relate to
164	生產	Verbs	to produce; to manufacture
165	產品	Nouns	product; produce (Classifier: 個／个; 件; 款)
166	相關	Verbs	to be interrelated; to be related; to be connected
167	國內	Nouns	in the country; within one's country; back home
168	委員會	Nouns	committee; commission; board; council
169	然後	Conjunctions	then; after that; afterwards; and
170	選擇	Verbs	to choose; to select; to pick; to make a choice
171	那個	Pronouns	that; that one
172	一切	Determiners	everything, all
173	一次	Nouns	one time
174	人口	Nouns	population
175	無法	Verbs	unable to; cannot; to have no way to do something
176	管理	Verbs	to manage; to administer; to supervise; to regulate
177	能夠	Verbs	can; to be able to; to be capable of
178	記者	Nouns	reporter; journalist; professional writer
179	進入	Verbs	to enter (a space, time, state, scope, etc.)
180	領導	Nouns	supervisor
181	個人	Nouns	individual; personal
182	一般	Adjectives	general, ordinary; generally
183	完成	Verbs	to complete; to finish; to fulfill
184	環境	Nouns	environment
185	網絡	Verbs	to gather; to recruit
186	一點	Determiners	a little, a bit
187	保護	Verbs	to protect; to safeguard; to conserve; to preserve
188	提出	Verbs	to put forward; to put forth; to raise; to bring up
189	民主	Nouns	democracy
190	甚至	Conjunctions	even; even if; go so far as to; to the extent that
191	了解	Verbs	to understand; to comprehend; to learn; to know
192	事件	Nouns	event; incident; occurrence (Classifier: 個／个 m; 起 m)
193	機構	Nouns	mechanism
194	法律	Nouns	law (body of binding rules and regulations)
195	當然	Adverbs	of course; surely
196	視頻	Nouns	video (as opposed to audio) (Classifier: 段)
197	過程	Nouns	process; course
198	準備	Verbs	to prepare; to get ready
199	直接	Adjectives	direct
200	設計	Verbs	to design; to plan
201	之間	Prepositions	between
202	事情	Nouns	matter; affair; something; business; thing
203	人員	Nouns	staff; personnel; employee; worker
204	信息	Nouns	information
205	哪裡	Pronouns	where
206	報告	Nouns	report (Classifier: 篇 m; 份 m; 個／个 m)
207	存在	Verbs	to exist; to be; to be present
208	學習	Verbs	to study; to learn; to acquire (knowledge)
209	成功	Verbs	to succeed; to achieve success; to be successful
210	或者	Conjunctions	or
211	戰爭	Nouns	war; invasion (Classifier: 場／场 m)
212	最大	Nouns	largest; biggest; greatest; maximum; maximal
213	比較	Adverbs	comparatively; relatively; fairly; quite
214	照片	Nouns	photograph; picture (Classifier: 張／张; 套; 幅)
215	總統	Nouns	president (of a republic)
216	接受	Verbs	to accept (treatment, gift, punishment, etc.)
217	改變	Verbs	to change (by itself)
218	政策	Nouns	policy
219	方法	Nouns	method; way; means; manner (Classifier: 個／个 m)
220	時期	Nouns	period; time; age; phase
221	正在	Adverbs	in the process of; currently (similar to English -ing)
222	科技	Nouns	science and technology
223	項目	Nouns	item; article; clause (Classifier: 個／个 m)
224	一下	Adverbs	one time; once
225	不斷	Adverbs	continuously; constantly
226	以後	Nouns	afterwards
227	合作	Verbs	to cooperate; to collaborate; to work together
228	故事	Nouns	story
229	方面	Nouns	aspect; side; (on the one) hand; facet
230	有些	Determiners	some
231	認識	Verbs	to know (somebody); to be acquainted with
232	資源	Nouns	resource; asset
233	集團	Nouns	group (commercial organization); conglomerate
234	之前	Nouns	before; in front of; ahead of
235	任務	Nouns	task; assignment; job; mission
236	原因	Nouns	cause
237	參與	Verbs	to take part in; to participate in; to join in
238	女人	Nouns	woman; adult female (Classifier: 個／个)
239	專業	Nouns	specialty; trade; specialization (Classifier: 項／项 m)
240	小時	Nouns	hour (Classifier: 個／个 m)
241	成立	Verbs	to found; to establish
242	是否	Conjunctions	whether or not; if
243	科學	Nouns	science
244	規定	Verbs	to regulate; to stipulate
245	多少	Adverbs	somewhat; more or less
246	感覺	Verbs	to feel; to sense; to have a feeling that
247	擁有	Verbs	to possess; to own; to acquire
248	時代	Nouns	times; age; epoch; era; period of time (in history)
249	能力	Nouns	ability; capability; capacity; faculty; competence
250	舉行	Verbs	to hold (a meeting, reception, etc.)
251	藝術	Nouns	art; art form
252	處理	Verbs	to handle; to deal with; to tend to
253	解決	Verbs	to solve; to resolve; to settle
254	電話	Nouns	telephone; phone (Classifier: 部 m c)
255	傳統	Nouns	tradition; traditional
256	全球	Nouns	whole world; entire world; globe
257	其實	Adverbs	actually; as a matter of fact; in fact
258	機會	Nouns	opportunity; chance
259	獨立	Verbs	to be independent; to stand on one's own
260	行為	Nouns	behavior; comportment; conduct
261	超過	Verbs	to be ahead of; to overtake; to pass; to outstrip
262	人類	Nouns	humanity; humans; humankind; the human race; hominid
263	分析	Verbs	to analyze; to review
264	各種	Determiners	various, all kinds of
265	告訴	Verbs	to file a lawsuit
266	它們	Pronouns	they; them
267	手機	Nouns	mobile phone; cell phone; mobile
268	投資	Verbs	to invest (money); to invest in; to make an investment
269	期間	Nouns	period; time; duration
270	法國	Verbs	alternative form of 發覺 /发觉 (faat3 gok3)
271	產生	Verbs	to produce; to engender; to come into being; to form
272	目標	Nouns	target (Classifier: 個／个 m)
273	真正	Adverbs	truly; really; genuinely
274	調查	Verbs	to investigate; to probe
275	世紀	Nouns	century (period of 100 years)
276	並且	Conjunctions	and; moreover; furthermore
277	嚴重	Adjectives	serious; critical; severe
278	增加	Verbs	to add; to augment; to increase; to raise; to boost
279	幫助	Verbs	to help; to aid; to assist
280	行動	Nouns	action; act (Classifier: 個／个 m)
281	造成	Verbs	to bring about; to cause
282	作品	Nouns	work (literary, artistic, or intellectual production)
283	受到	Verbs	to suffer; to be subjected to; to be met with
284	基礎	Nouns	foundation; base (of a structure)
285	家庭	Nouns	family; household (Classifier: 戶／户; 個／个)
286	工業	Nouns	industry
287	相信	Verbs	to believe (in); to trust; to have faith (in)
288	第一	Adverbs	firstly
289	負責	Verbs	to be responsible for; to be in charge of
290	具有	Verbs	to have; to possess
291	實現	Verbs	to realize; to achieve
292	怎樣	Adverbs	how; what
293	控制	Verbs	to control; to contain; to dominate
294	根本	Adverbs	at all; simply; utterly; absolutely
295	男人	Nouns	man
296	結束	Verbs	to end; to conclude; to terminate; to finish
297	來自	Verbs	to come from; to be from
298	努力	Adverbs	diligently; hard (with a great deal of effort)
299	只要	Conjunctions	as long as; provided; so long as
300	如此	Adverbs	like this; so; such; the case; this way
301	媒體	Nouns	medium; media
302	才能	Nouns	ability; talent; competence
303	整個	Adjectives	entire; whole; total
304	經過	Prepositions	via; by; by means of; through
305	群眾	Nouns	the general public; civilians
306	選舉	Verbs	to elect (to choose someone by voting)
307	以下	Nouns	below; under
308	制度	Nouns	system; institution
309	我國	Nouns	my country; our country
310	比賽	Verbs	to compete; to have a match
311	表現	Verbs	to show; to display; to manifest
312	達到	Verbs	to achieve (a standard, objective, etc.); to attain
313	主席	Nouns	chairperson (of a meeting)
314	以上	Nouns	above; more than; over
315	以來	Prepositions	since; for (starting from a period of time)
316	圖片	Nouns	picture (Classifier: 張／张; 幅)
317	年代	Nouns	age; era; period
318	幾個	Determiners	a few; several; some; a handful
319	成員	Nouns	member
320	未來	Nouns	future
321	辦法	Nouns	means; solution; way (of doing something)
322	開發	Verbs	to exploit (a resource)
323	革命	Verbs	to revolt; to start a revolution
324	價值	Nouns	value (Classifier: 個／个 m)
325	基本	Adverbs	overall; on the whole; generally; more or less
326	導致	Verbs	to cause; to bring about; to induce; to result in
327	注意	Verbs	to pay attention to; to take note of
328	的話	Particles	if (at the end of a clause)
329	除了	Prepositions	except; except for
330	離開	Verbs	to leave; to depart
331	加入	Verbs	to add in; to mix into; to put in
332	反對	Verbs	to oppose; to be opposed; to be against; to fight
333	屬於	Verbs	to belong to; to be part of; to fall under
334	建築	Nouns	building; structure; edifice (Classifier: 座; 棟／栋)
335	形成	Verbs	to form (after undergoing many changes); to take shape
336	數據	Nouns	data (organized information)
337	發布	Verbs	to release; to issue
338	行政	Nouns	administration; administration of government
339	銀行	Nouns	bank (financial institution)
340	音樂	Nouns	music (series of sounds organized in time)
341	之一	Prepositions	one of
342	增長	Verbs	to grow; to increase
343	官方	Nouns	government
344	是不是	Conjunctions	whether or not
345	經驗	Verbs	to go through; to experience; to undergo
346	語言	Nouns	language (Classifier: 種／种 m c; 門／门 m)
347	變化	Verbs	to change; to vary
348	顯示	Verbs	to display; to show; to manifest; to demonstrate
349	來說	Prepositions	concerning; about
350	價格	Nouns	price (amount of money needed to pay for something)
351	專家	Nouns	expert; specialist (Classifier: 名 m; 位 m)
352	建議	Verbs	to suggest; to recommend; to propose; to advise
353	怎麼樣	Pronouns	how; what; in what way
354	指出	Verbs	to point out; to indicate
355	條件	Nouns	condition; term
356	標準	Nouns	standard; criterion
357	權利	Nouns	power and wealth
358	說明	Verbs	to explain; to account for; to illustrate; to specify
359	這次	Nouns	this time
360	部門	Nouns	department; branch; section; division; agency; sector
361	醫院	Nouns	hospital; polyclinic
362	可是	Conjunctions	however; but
363	改革	Verbs	to reform
364	母親	Nouns	mother (Classifier: 個／个; 位)
365	系列	Nouns	series
366	聯繫	Verbs	to contact; to get in touch with
367	記錄	Nouns	written records; notes; minutes (of a meeting)
368	警察	Verbs	to be vigilant; to be alert; to watch out
369	強制	Adverbs	in a forceful way; forcibly
370	不僅	Conjunctions	not only
371	人物	Nouns	figure; personage
372	別人	Nouns	others; other people
373	執行	Verbs	to carry out; to execute; to enforce
374	女性	Nouns	the female sex; female
375	後來	Nouns	later; later on; afterwards
376	意見	Nouns	opinion; idea; proposal; suggestion; view
377	最高	Adjectives	highest, supreme
378	機關	Nouns	government organization; institution; institute; organ
379	用戶	Nouns	user; consumer; customer; subscriber
380	確定	Verbs	to fix; to determine; to establish; to confirm
381	解釋	Verbs	to explain; to elucidate
382	中央	Nouns	centre (of all sides, ends, surfaces, etc.)
383	以前	Nouns	earlier times; formerly; previously
384	先生	Nouns	mister; sir; gentleman
385	分別	Adverbs	separately
386	區域	Nouns	zone; region; area; district (Classifier: 片)
387	工程	Nouns	engineering
388	採用	Verbs	to adopt; to use; to employ (a technique etc.)
389	父親	Nouns	father (Classifier: 個／个; 位)
390	理論	Verbs	to debate; to argue (with)
391	簡單	Adjectives	simple; uncomplicated; easy
392	結構	Nouns	structure; construction; organization
393	綜合	Adjectives	comprehensive, composite
394	老師	Nouns	teacher (Classifier: 個／个; 位; 名)
395	討論	Verbs	to discuss; to talk over
396	證明	Nouns	proof; evidence (Classifier: 份 m; 個／个 m)
397	關注	Verbs	to pay close attention to; to keep tabs on
398	不到	Verbs	less than; fail to reach
399	兒子	Nouns	baby; infant; newborn
400	全部	Adverbs	all; entirely; completely; fully; totally
401	公開	Verbs	to make public
402	宣布	Verbs	to declare; to proclaim; to announce
403	最近	Adverbs	recently; lately; of late
404	當地	Nouns	locality
405	發表	Verbs	to publish; to issue
406	社區	Nouns	community (social or cultural grouping)
407	自然	Conjunctions	admittedly
408	那裡	Pronouns	there
409	今年	Nouns	this year
410	介紹	Verbs	to introduce
411	以為	Verbs	to mistakenly believe; to be under the impression
412	功能	Nouns	function; feature; capability; competence
413	堅持	Verbs	to insist on; to persist with
414	學院	Nouns	institute; academy; college (Classifier: 所 m)
415	意思	Nouns	meaning (of words, symbols, or concepts); significance
416	提高	Verbs	to raise; to improve; to heighten; to enhance
417	範圍	Verbs	to follow the example of; to take as one's model
418	例如	Verbs	to take for example; for example; for instance; such as
419	共同	Adverbs	together; jointly; in collaboration; with joint efforts
420	力量	Nouns	strength (of body or mind)
421	取得	Verbs	to gain; to obtain
422	同樣	Adverbs	similarly; in the same way
423	土地	Nouns	ground; soil; land
424	實施	Verbs	to implement; to put into effect; to carry out
425	旅遊	Verbs	to travel
426	正式	Adverbs	Used for emphasis: truly
427	民族	Nouns	people; nation; nationality; ethnic group; minority
428	組成	Verbs	to make up; to consist of; to constitute
429	農業	Nouns	agriculture; farming
430	一天	Nouns	one day (twenty-four hours)
431	保證	Verbs	to assure; to guarantee; to ensure; to keep
432	健康	Adjectives	healthy (free from disease or disorder); good; well
433	大量	Adverbs	in a large quantity; in a large number
434	容易	Adjectives	easy; simple
435	實際	Adjectives	actual; real; concrete
436	持續	Verbs	to continue; to persist
437	權力	Nouns	power; authority
438	永遠	Adverbs	forever; always; permanently
439	消息	Nouns	message; news; information (Classifier: 條／条; 個／个)
440	然而	Conjunctions	but; yet
441	看看	Adverbs	placed after a verb or a verb phrase to indicate a
442	精神	Nouns	spirit; soul; will
443	考慮	Verbs	to consider; to think about
444	重點	Verbs	to reevaluate; to recapitulate; to redescribe
445	開放	Verbs	to be open (to the public)
446	電視	Nouns	television; TV
447	位於	Verbs	to be located in; to be situated at
448	免費	Verbs	to be free (of charge); gratis
449	另外	Conjunctions	furthermore; moreover; in addition
450	女兒	Nouns	daughter
451	媽媽	Nouns	mum (mom); mama
452	想要	Verbs	would like; want; wish to have
453	應用	Nouns	application; use
454	明白	Adjectives	clear; obvious; evident
455	最終	Adverbs	ultimately; at the end of the day; lastly; finally
456	汽車	Nouns	automobile; motor vehicle; car
457	相當	Adverbs	quite; rather; considerably
458	空間	Nouns	space (a gap or empty place); room (Classifier: 個／个)
459	終於	Adverbs	finally; at last; eventually
460	美元	Nouns	US dollar
461	聲音	Nouns	sound; noise; voice (Classifier: 個／个)
462	裡面	Nouns	inside; interior
463	設備	Nouns	equipment; facilities (Classifier: 臺／台 m)
464	變成	Verbs	to become; to change into; to turn into
465	足球	Nouns	football (sport); association football; soccer
466	領域	Nouns	occupied area; realm; territory
467	作用	Nouns	function; role; purpose
468	分鐘	Nouns	minute
469	十分	Adverbs	very; extremely; utterly; absolutely
470	回來	Verbs	to return; to come back; to be back
471	幾乎	Adverbs	almost; nearly; all but
472	意義	Nouns	meaning; sense
473	文章	Nouns	essay; composition
474	生命	Nouns	life
475	產業	Nouns	property
476	面積	Nouns	area
477	名字	Nouns	name
478	原來	Adverbs	originally
479	唯一	Adjectives	only; sole; unique
480	居民	Nouns	resident; inhabitant (Classifier: 名 m; 位 m)
481	所謂	Adjectives	so-called; that which is called
482	曾經	Adverbs	once; before; used to; in the past
483	真是	Verbs	Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see 真
484	結合	Verbs	to combine; to fuse; to link; to integrate
485	統一	Adjectives	unified; united; integrated; consolidated
486	而是	Conjunctions	but; rather
487	肯定	Adverbs	surely; definitely; must be
488	人士	Nouns	public figure; personage
489	大陸	Nouns	continent; landmass
490	官員	Nouns	official; administrator
491	引起	Verbs	to give rise to; to lead to; to cause; to draw
492	明顯	Adverbs	obviously; clearly; evidently
493	現場	Nouns	scene (especially of a crime, accident, etc.)
494	現象	Nouns	phenomenon; appearance
495	目的	Nouns	objective; goal; target; aim; purpose
496	確實	Adverbs	indeed; really
497	穩定	Adjectives	stable; even-tempered
498	軍隊	Nouns	army; troops; forces (Classifier: 支; 個／个)
499	重新	Adverbs	again; anew; afresh
500	加強	Verbs	to strengthen; to reinforce; to improve; to increase

All 500 A1 words are on this page, free, with no sign-up.

The rest of the list

A2A2 Beginner: 500 more words強調 · 教師 · 模式 · 死亡 · 總是
B1B1 Intermediate: 750 more words爆發 · 留下 · 社會主義 · 競爭 · 第一個
B2B2 Upper intermediate: 750 more words品質 · 回憶 · 宇宙 · 實驗室 · 批判

A2 to B2 are part of Oqou Pro, in the app, where you can also send any word straight into spaced review and meet it again on the day you are about to forget it.

Where this comes from

The order is measured: it comes from how often each word appears in a large corpus, counted across all the forms of a word rather than each form separately, so a verb is ranked where you really meet it. The band edges are a convention rather than a measurement. Nothing says word 501 is harder than word 500; the levels are cut where established graded reader series cut theirs.

wordfreq 3.1 (frequency order) + en.wiktionary via kaikki.org (part of speech, gender, gloss). Corpus read on 2026-09-16.

Questions

Where does the order come from?

From how often each word appears in a large corpus of everyday writing. Frequency is counted across all the forms of a word and attributed to the dictionary form, so a verb is ranked where a reader really meets it rather than being spread thinly over a dozen endings.

Why are these lists shorter than the ones with 5,000 or 10,000 words?

Because past about 2,500 a frequency rank stops meaning much. Rank 6,000 in a web corpus is not a harder word, it is a word that happens to be common in journalism. Established graded reader series top out near 2,500 headwords for the same reason.

Is every word in the list a real dictionary word?

Yes. Every headword is checked against the language's own Wiktionary entry, which is where the part of speech, the gender and the meaning come from. That check is what removes the proper nouns, single letters and corpus noise that raw frequency lists are full of.

Do I need the app?

Not for this page. The A1 list is free here and free in the app. A2 to B2 are part of Oqou Pro, and the app is also where a word can go from a list into a review queue, which is the part a page cannot do.

Has a native speaker checked these?

Not yet. The frequency order and the part of speech are mechanical, and the meanings come from a dictionary rather than being written by hand, but nothing here has been through native review. If you spot a meaning that is technically right and practically useless, we would like to hear about it.