10 Everyday Mandarin Phrases to Get Your Child Speaking Chinese
Ever wish your child would start speaking Mandarin in daily life—without endless flashcards or worksheets? With a few everyday Mandarin phrases to get your child speaking, you can turn ordinary moments into playful, natural language practice.
These parent-friendly phrases work whether you’re a fluent speaker or just starting your bilingual journey.
Why Everyday Mandarin Phrases Help Kids Start Speaking
Children learn language best when they hear it in real-life contexts—mealtime, playtime, bedtime—where words are connected to actions and emotions.
By using simple Mandarin phrases during routines, you give your child repeated, meaningful exposure.
The key is to invite interaction, so kids feel excited to respond instead of pressured to “perform.”
10 Everyday Mandarin Phrases to Get Your Child Speaking
Below are 10 warm, practical phrases parents can use right away. Each one comes with pinyin, an English meaning, and a parent prompt to encourage your child to reply in Mandarin.
1. 我们来数一数吧！ (wǒ men lái shǔ yī shǔ ba!) – Let’s count together!
Parent Prompt：If your child says numbers in English, gently repeat in Mandarin—“一、二、三 (yī, èr, sān)”—and invite them to join.
2. 这是什么颜色？ (zhè shì shén me yán sè?) – What color is this?
Parent Prompt：Offer choices: “是红色(hóng sè)还是蓝色(lán sè)？” to help them pick a Mandarin word.
3. 你想要哪一个？这个还是那个？ (nǐ xiǎng yào nǎ yí gè? zhè ge hái shì nà ge?) – Which one do you want? This one or that one?
Parent Prompt：Point to objects so your child can answer “这个 (zhè ge)” or “那个 (nà ge).”
4. 我们一起唱歌好吗？ (wǒ men yì qǐ chàng gē hǎo ma?) – Shall we sing a song together?
Parent Prompt：Pause during familiar songs and let your child fill in the next word or phrase.
5. 这个在中文里怎么说？ (zhè ge zài zhōng wén lǐ zěn me shuō?) – How do we say this in Chinese?
Parent Prompt：Perfect when a child names something in English. Say the Mandarin word, then invite: “我们一起说一遍 (Let’s say it together)!”
6. 我们来玩找一找！ (wǒ men lái wán zhǎo yì zhǎo!) – Let’s play ‘find it’!
Parent Prompt：“找一找苹果在哪里？(Where’s the apple?)” Show a picture or real object for visual support.
7. “摸一摸，猜猜是什么？” (mō yī mō, cāi cāi shì shén me?) — Touch it and guess what it is!
Parent Prompt：playing the mystery bag game with your child but take the guess in Mandarin. “If your child struggles, give gentle clues: ‘Is it 苹果 píng guǒ (apple) or 球 qiú (ball)?’ to guide a Mandarin answer.”
8. 要不要试着用中文说说？ (yào bù yào shì zhe yòng zhōng wén shuō shuo?) – Want to try saying it in Chinese?
Parent Prompt：Keep your tone gentle and encouraging. Celebrate any attempt.
9. 你最喜欢哪一个？ (nǐ zuì xǐ huān nǎ yí gè?) – Which do you like best?
Parent Prompt：Use toys or flashcards. Ask your child to pick and say the Mandarin word.
10. 宝贝真棒！我们一起再说一次吧！ (bǎo bèi zhēn bàng! Wǒ men yì qǐ zài shuō yí cì ba!) – Great job, sweetheart! Let’s say it together again!
Parent Prompt：Immediately repeat together to reinforce pronunciation and confidence.
Tips For Using These Mandarin Phrases Successfully
- Visual Support：Use real objects, toys, or printable flashcards so your child connects Mandarin words to something tangible.
- Start Small：Even if you only know a few phrases, consistent repetition is more powerful than long lessons.
- Positive Energy：Celebrate attempts, not perfection.
- Balance Bilingual Input：For new words, you can whisper the English once, then stick to Mandarin to help it “stick.”
Key Takeaways for Raising a Bilingual Child
- With these everyday Mandarin phrases to get your child speaking, you don’t need a textbook or perfect fluency.
- Just weave short, loving phrases into daily routines—playtime, meals, bedtime—and watch your child’s Mandarin grow naturally.
Want ready-to-go tools to make speaking even easier?
- Try our Printable Home Labels Toolkit to bring Mandarin into every room.
- Explore seasonal ideas like the Four Seasons Scavenger Hunt for outdoor language fun.
- Coming soon: Parent-Child Conversation Starter Cards—sign up for updates!
