There’s no denying that our house 房子 (fángzi) is essential in our lives. Not only is it a place where we sleep, but it is also the place where we show our true selves. In this post, we’ll go over the basic list of household items vocabulary in Chinese so that you can start talking with the locals using these words. If you’re ready for that and more, keep reading below!
Household items are some of the common words that a language learner should know, especially when they are traveling from one accommodation or place to another. Additionally, mastering some of the common household words provides insight into the culture and daily life of the Chinese. You’ll get to know the common items used and compare the similarities between their culture and yours.
How To Say ‘House’ In Chinese?
The Chinese word for ‘house’ is 房子 (fángzi). It can also mean an apartment or room, depending on the situation and setting. This word can be used in both written and spoken language.
Household Items Vocabulary Words In Chinese
Did you know that one of the most effective ways to learn a new language is to label the household items that surround you in your target language? This way, you’ll easily learn them because you can see these things every day. So, here’s a list of Chinese vocabulary words related to household items which include objects, furniture, and appliances.
Living Room – 客厅 (Kètīng)
Part of Chinese culture is strong family ties. So, the living room is indeed one of the most important rooms for the Chinese. This is where family gatherings are usually held. The living room is usually the most spacious part of the house. Fun fact, the Chinse word 客厅 (kètīng) literally means “guest hall.” Here’s a list of Chinese vocabulary words related to the living room.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
| ashtray | 烟灰缸 | yānhuīgāng |
| broom | 扫帚 | saozhou |
| carpet | 地毯 | dìtǎn |
| calendar | 日历 | rìlì |
| ceiling | 天花板 | tiānhuābǎn |
| chandelier | 吊灯 | diàodēng |
| clock | 时钟 | shí zhōng |
| coat hanger | 衣架 | yījià |
| coffee table/ tea table | 茶几 | chájī |
| curtains | 窗帘 | chuānglián |
| fireplace | 壁炉 | bìlú |
| floor | 地板 | dìbǎn |
| floor lamp | 落地灯 | luòdìdēng |
| hat rack | 帽架 | mao jia |
| keys | 钥匙 | yàoshi |
| light bulb | 灯泡 | dēngpào |
| painting | 装饰画 | zhuāng shì huà |
| rug | 小地毯 | xiǎo dì tǎn |
| sofa | 沙发 | shāfā |
| tapestry | 挂毯 | guatan |
| TV | 电视机 | diànshìjī |
| TV cabinet | 电视柜 | diànshìguì |
| vase | 花瓶 | huaping |
| wall | 墙 | qiáng |
| window | 窗 | chuāng |
Kitchen – 厨房 (Chúfáng)
Chinese cuisine is one of the most popular cuisines in the world. So, the kitchen is also one of the people’s favorite rooms in the house. Here are some household items that can be found in the kitchen room.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
| bottle opener | 开瓶器 | kāipíngqì |
| can opener | 开罐器 | kāi guàn qì |
| cutting board | 砧板 | zhēn bǎn |
| frying pan | 煎锅 | jiān guō |
| grater | 刨丝器 | pao si qi |
| juicer | 榨汁机 | zha zhi ji |
| kettle | 水壶 | shuǐ hú |
| kitchen counter | 厨房柜台 | chúfáng guìtái |
| measuring cups | 量杯 | liáng bēi |
| pan | 平底锅 | píngdǐguō |
| pot | 锅 | guō |
| range hood | 油烟机 | yóuyānjī |
| stove | 燃气炉 | rán qì lú |
| scissors | jiǎnzi | 剪子 |
| sponge | 海绵 | hǎimián |
| trash can | 垃圾桶 | lā jī tǒng |
Dining Room – 餐厅 (Cāntīng)
Did you know that the Chinese word 厨房 (chúfáng) literally means “meal hall”? Now that you already know what it means, let’s learn some household items vocabulary in Chinese related to the dining room.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
| bowl | 碗 | wǎn |
| chair | 椅子 | yǐzi |
| cup | 茶杯 | chá bēi |
| dining table | 餐桌 | cānzhuō |
| fork | 叉子 | chā zi |
| glass | 玻璃杯 | bō lí bēi |
| knife | 餐刀 | cān dāo |
| napkin | 餐巾 | cān jīn |
| pepper shaker | 胡椒罐 | hú jiāo guàn |
| pitcher | 水壶 | shuǐ hú |
| placemat | 餐具垫 | cān jù diàn |
| plate | 盘子 | pánzi |
| saucer | 茶碟 | chá dié |
| spoon | 勺 | sháo zi |
| salt shaker | 撒盐罐 | sā yán guàn |
| sugar bowl | 糖罐 | táng guàn |
| tablecloth | 桌布 | zhuō bù |
Bedroom – 卧室 (Wòshì)
After a long tiring day, the bedroom is the perfect place to be. The Chinese word 卧室 (wòshì) literally means “the room to sleep.” You may also want to learn the words 主卧 (zhǔ wò) or master bedroom, 次卧 (cì wò) or second bedroom, and 客卧 (kè wò) or guest bedroom. Now, here’s a list of household items vocabulary in Chinese that are found in the bedroom.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
| alarm clock | 闹钟 | nàozhōng |
| bed | 床 | chuáng |
| bed sheet | 床单 | chuangdan |
| bedspread | 床罩 | chuáng zhào |
| blanket | 毯子 | tǎnzi |
| candle | 蜡烛 | lazhu |
| drawers | 抽屉 | chōuti |
| jewelry | 珠宝 | zhu bao |
| lamp | 灯 | deng |
| light | 光 | guang |
| makeup vanity | 梳妆台 | shūzhuāngtái |
| mattress | 床垫 | chuángdiàn |
| nightstand | 床头柜 | chuángtóuguì |
| pillows | 枕头 | zhěntou |
| pillowcase | 枕套 | zhěn tào |
| rug | 小地毯 | xiǎo dìtǎn |
| table lamp | 台灯 | táidēng |
| wardrobe | 衣橱 | yīchú |
Bathroom – 卫生间 (Wèishēngjiān)
Another important room in a house is the bathroom. Bathroom in Chinese is 卫生间 (wèishēngjiān) which is where the toilet is, but if you want to talk about a bathtub or shower, you can use the word 浴室 (yùshì).
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
| bathtub | 浴缸 | yùgāng |
| bath mat | 地垫 | dìdiàn |
| body soap | 沐浴皂 | mùyùzào |
| cabinet | 柜子 | guìzi |
| faucet | 水龙头 | shuǐlóngtou |
| floss | 牙线 | ya xian |
| hair dryer | 吹风机 | chuīfēngjī |
| hand soap | 洗手液 | xíshǒu yè |
| mirror | 镜子 | jìngzi |
| shelf | 架子 | jiàzi |
| shower | 淋浴 | línyù |
| shower curtain | 浴帘 | yù lián |
| sink | 台盆 | táipén |
| tile | 瓷砖 | cízhuān |
| tissue | 纸巾 | zhǐjīn |
| toilet | 马桶 | mǎtǒng |
| toilet paper | 卫生纸 | wèi shēng zhǐ |
| toothbrush | 牙刷 | yáshuā |
| toothpaste | 牙膏 | yágāo |
Laundry Room – 洗衣间 (Xǐyījiān)
The laundry room translates to 洗衣间 (xǐyījiān), which literally means “wash clothes room.” But remember, most Chinese homes don’t have a laundry room, so clothes are usually dried on the balcony in the open air. Laundry shops are also popular nowadays.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
| bucket | 桶 | ton |
| clothes | 衣服 | yifu |
| hanger | 衣架 | yī jià |
| mop | 拖把 | tuoba |
| washing machine | 洗衣机 | xǐyījī |
Office – 办公室 (Bàngōngshì) or Study – 书房 (Shūfáng)
Many people nowadays have their own offices or study rooms in their homes, especially during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some also have a dedicated space in their bedroom as their work or study area. Fun fact, the word for “office” in Chinese is 办公室 (bàngōngshì) while “work from home” is 在家办公 (zài jiā bàngōng).
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
| bookshelf | 书架 | shūjià |
| computer | 电脑 | diannao |
| dryer | 烘干机 | hong gan ji |
| eraser | 橡皮 | xiangpi |
| headphones | 耳机 | erji |
| pen | 笔 | bǐ |
| printer | 打印机 | dayinji |
| wastepaper basket | 废纸篓 | fèi zhĭ lŏu |
Household Appliances
Of course, we cannot talk about household items without appliances. Here is a list of common household appliances in Chinese.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
| air conditioner | 空调 | kōngtiáo |
| coffee maker | 咖啡机 | kā fēi jī |
| blender | 搅拌器 | jiǎo bàn qì |
| dishwasher | 洗碗机 | xǐwǎnjī |
| electric rice cooker | 电饭锅 | diànfànguō |
| fire alarm | 报警器 | bàojǐngqì |
| fridge | 冰箱 | bīngxiāng |
| heater | 加热器 | jiare qi |
| microwave | 微波炉 | wēibōlú |
| oven | 烤箱 | kǎoxiāng |
| popcorn maker | 爆米花机 | bao mihua ji |
| pressure cooker | 压力锅 | yaliguo |
| radio | 收音机 | shouyinji |
| telephone | 电话 | dianhua |
| vacuum cleaner | 吸尘器 | xīchénqì |
Learn Chinese In The Comfort Of Your Home!
Many people find it hard to learn a new language because going to school takes too much time and effort. But what if I tell you that you can learn Chinese in the comfort of your home? Yes, with the Ling app, learning anytime and anywhere you want is possible.
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