Chinese Love Vocabulary for Couples
Guide Reading: Learn complete, modern, actually useful Chinese vocabulary for couples—romantic phrases, daily relationship talk, conflict repair, and family connection. Includes Chinese + pinyin with tone marks + English + real usage contexts.
About the Author: This guide is written by the GoEast Mandarin teaching team, drawing from 12+ years of classroom experience teaching over 20,000 students. We focus on phrases you can actually use in real life—not isolated words.
After sharing the story of Joe & Jessica—who turned a Chinese wedding vow into a long-term learning rhythm—we received the same question again and again:
“What Chinese vocabulary can couples use every day—at home, in public, and with family—without sounding like a textbook?”
Here’s the answer: most “romantic Chinese phrases” lists are either too dramatic (“movie lines”) or too formal. Real couples need small, repeatable phrases for affection, plans, gratitude, misunderstandings, and repairing conflict. This guide is built for exactly that.
How to use this list (fast results):
- Pick 10 phrases from one category.
- Use them for 7 days (messages + at home).
- Rotate to the next 10. Consistency beats intensity.
Chinese Love & Couples Vocabulary (150 Practical Phrases)
Mobile tip: swipe horizontally to see all columns.
| Category | Chinese | Pinyin (tone marks) | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | 跟你说一声 | gēn nǐ shuō yì shēng | FYI / tell you |
| Core | 没事 | méi shì | it’s okay |
| Core | 可以 | kěyǐ | okay / can |
| Core | 不行 | bù xíng | not okay |
| Core | 等一下 | děng yíxià | wait a sec |
| Core | 马上 | mǎshàng | right away |
| Core | 辛苦了 | xīnkǔ le | you’ve worked hard |
| Core | 谢谢 | xièxie | thanks |
| Core | 没关系 | méi guānxi | no worries |
| Core | 我爱你 | wǒ ài nǐ | I love you |
| Affection | 亲爱的 | qīn’ài de | dear / honey |
| Affection | 宝贝 | bǎobèi | babe |
| Affection | 我想你 | wǒ xiǎng nǐ | I miss you |
| Affection | 想你了 | xiǎng nǐ le | miss you (now) |
| Affection | 有你真好 | yǒu nǐ zhēn hǎo | so glad I have you |
| Affection | 谢谢你一直陪着我 | xièxie nǐ yìzhí péizhe wǒ | thanks for staying with me |
| Affection | 我为你骄傲 | wǒ wèi nǐ jiāo’ào | I’m proud of you |
| Affection | 你真贴心 | nǐ zhēn tiēxīn | you’re so thoughtful |
| Affection | 我很感激你 | wǒ hěn gǎnjī nǐ | I’m really grateful |
| Affection | 我喜欢和你在一起 | wǒ xǐhuan hé nǐ zài yìqǐ | I like being with you |
| Affection | 给你一个拥抱 | gěi nǐ yí ge yōngbào | a hug for you |
| Affection | 抱抱 | bàobào | hug hug |
| Affection | 亲一下 | qīn yíxià | kiss (a little) |
| Affection | 牵手 | qiān shǒu | hold hands |
| Affection | 早点休息 | zǎodiǎn xiūxi | rest early |
| Home | 你到家了吗？ | nǐ dào jiā le ma? | Did you get home? |
| Home | 我到家了 | wǒ dào jiā le | I’m home |
| Home | 路上小心 | lùshang xiǎoxīn | be careful |
| Home | 你吃了吗？ | nǐ chī le ma? | Have you eaten? |
| Home | 你饿不饿？ | nǐ è bu è? | Are you hungry? |
| Home | 你想吃什么？ | nǐ xiǎng chī shénme? | What do you want to eat? |
| Home | 我做了饭 | wǒ zuò le fàn | I cooked |
| Home | 我给你热一下 | wǒ gěi nǐ rè yíxià | I’ll heat it up |
| Home | 你先休息，我来 | nǐ xiān xiūxi, wǒ lái | You rest, I’ll do it |
| Home | 我们分工一下 | wǒmen fēngōng yíxià | let’s split tasks |
| Home | 我来洗碗 | wǒ lái xǐ wǎn | I’ll do the dishes |
| Home | 我来收拾 | wǒ lái shōushi | I’ll tidy up |
| Home | 帮我一下好吗？ | bāng wǒ yíxià hǎo ma? | can you help? |
| Home | 晚安 | wǎn’ān | good night |
| Home | 早安 | zǎo’ān | good morning |
| Texting | 在吗？ | zài ma? | you there? |
| Texting | 你方便说话吗？ | nǐ fāngbiàn shuōhuà ma? | can you talk? |
| Texting | 我在开会 | wǒ zài kāihuì | I’m in a meeting |
| Texting | 我先忙一下 | wǒ xiān máng yíxià | I’ll be busy for a bit |
| Texting | 我晚点回你 | wǒ wǎndiǎn huí nǐ | I’ll reply later |
| Texting | 我马上到 | wǒ mǎshàng dào | I’m almost there |
| Texting | 等我一下 | děng wǒ yíxià | wait for me |
| Texting | 我们晚点聊 | wǒmen wǎndiǎn liáo | let’s talk later |
| Texting | 发个定位 | fā ge dìngwèi | send location |
| Texting | 我给你打电话 | wǒ gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà | I’ll call you |
| Dates | 我们去哪儿？ | wǒmen qù nǎr? | where should we go? |
| Dates | 你想去哪儿？ | nǐ xiǎng qù nǎr? | where do you want to go? |
| Dates | 我们几点出发？ | wǒmen jǐ diǎn chūfā? | what time leave? |
| Dates | 我订个位置 | wǒ dìng ge wèizi | I’ll reserve |
| Dates | 我们拍张照吧 | wǒmen pāi zhāng zhào ba | let’s take a photo |
| Dates | 你今天真好看 | nǐ jīntiān zhēn hǎokàn | you look great today |
| Dates | 这家店不错 | zhè jiā diàn búcuò | this place is good |
| Dates | 我们散散步 | wǒmen sànsan bù | let’s take a walk |
| Dates | 慢点走 | màn diǎn zǒu | walk slower |
| Dates | 小心台阶 | xiǎoxīn táijiē | watch the step |
| Compliments | 你真好看 | nǐ zhēn hǎokàn | you look nice |
| Compliments | 你很靠谱 | nǐ hěn kàopǔ | you’re reliable |
| Compliments | 你很温柔 | nǐ hěn wēnróu | you’re gentle |
| Compliments | 你很有耐心 | nǐ hěn yǒu nàixīn | you’re patient |
| Compliments | 你很会照顾人 | nǐ hěn huì zhàogu rén | you take care of people well |
| Compliments | 你做得很好 | nǐ zuò de hěn hǎo | you did great |
| Compliments | 我喜欢你的笑容 | wǒ xǐhuan nǐ de xiàoróng | I like your smile |
| Compliments | 你进步很大 | nǐ jìnbù hěn dà | you’ve improved a lot |
| Planning | 我们周末怎么安排？ | wǒmen zhōumò zěnme ānpái? | weekend plan? |
| Planning | 我们定个时间 | wǒmen dìng ge shíjiān | set a time |
| Planning | 你哪天有空？ | nǐ nǎ tiān yǒu kòng? | which day are you free? |
| Planning | 我那天不行 | wǒ nà tiān bù xíng | I can’t that day |
| Planning | 我们改个时间 | wǒmen gǎi ge shíjiān | let’s change the time |
| Planning | 提前告诉我 | tíqián gàosu wǒ | tell me in advance |
| Planning | 我们列个清单 | wǒmen liè ge qīngdān | make a list |
| Planning | 别忘了 | bié wàng le | don’t forget |
| Planning | 我提醒你一下 | wǒ tíxǐng nǐ yíxià | just a reminder |
| Planning | 我们先把预算定一下 | wǒmen xiān bǎ yùsuàn dìng yíxià | set a budget first |
| Planning | 这个月花得有点多 | zhège yuè huā de yǒudiǎn duō | we spent a bit much |
| Planning | 我们一起存点钱 | wǒmen yìqǐ cún diǎn qián | let’s save some money |
| Money | 多少钱？ | duōshao qián? | how much? |
| Money | 太贵了 | tài guì le | too expensive |
| Money | 便宜一点 | piányi yìdiǎn | a bit cheaper |
| Money | 我转给你 | wǒ zhuǎn gěi nǐ | I’ll transfer to you |
| Money | 你收到了吗？ | nǐ shōu dào le ma? | did you receive it? |
| Money | 分摊一下 | fēntān yíxià | split it |
| Chores | 洗衣服 | xǐ yīfu | do laundry |
| Chores | 晾衣服 | liàng yīfu | hang clothes |
| Chores | 倒垃圾 | dào lājī | take out trash |
| Chores | 收拾房间 | shōushi fángjiān | tidy the room |
| Chores | 打扫 | dǎsǎo | clean |
| Chores | 买菜 | mǎi cài | buy groceries |
| Food | 想喝什么？ | xiǎng hē shénme? | what to drink? |
| Food | 多喝水 | duō hē shuǐ | drink more water |
| Food | 我点外卖 | wǒ diǎn wàimài | I’ll order delivery |
| Food | 辣不辣？ | là bu là? | is it spicy? |
| Food | 好吃吗？ | hǎochī ma? | tasty? |
| Food | 慢慢吃 | mànman chī | eat slowly |
| Feelings | 我有点难过 | wǒ yǒudiǎn nánguò | I’m a bit sad |
| Feelings | 我有点烦 | wǒ yǒudiǎn fán | I’m stressed/annoyed |
| Feelings | 我有点紧张 | wǒ yǒudiǎn jǐnzhāng | I’m nervous |
| Feelings | 我有点委屈 | wǒ yǒudiǎn wěiqu | I feel wronged |
| Feelings | 我有点焦虑 | wǒ yǒudiǎn jiāolǜ | I’m anxious |
| Feelings | 我有点累 | wǒ yǒudiǎn lèi | I’m tired |
| Feelings | 我心里不太舒服 | wǒ xīnlǐ bù tài shūfu | I don’t feel good inside |
| Feelings | 我需要一点空间 | wǒ xūyào yìdiǎn kōngjiān | I need some space |
| Feelings | 我想冷静一下 | wǒ xiǎng lěngjìng yíxià | I want to calm down |
| Feelings | 我在乎你 | wǒ zàihū nǐ | I care about you |
| Repair | 对不起 | duìbuqǐ | I’m sorry |
| Repair | 不好意思 | bù hǎoyìsi | sorry / excuse me |
| Repair | 我刚才语气不好 | wǒ gāngcái yǔqì bù hǎo | my tone was bad |
| Repair | 是我太急了 | shì wǒ tài jí le | I was too rushed |
| Repair | 是我没考虑周到 | shì wǒ méi kǎolǜ zhōudào | I didn’t think it through |
| Repair | 我理解你的感受 | wǒ lǐjiě nǐ de gǎnshòu | I understand how you feel |
| Repair | 我明白你的意思了 | wǒ míngbai nǐ de yìsi le | I get what you mean |
| Repair | 你说得对 | nǐ shuō de duì | you’re right |
| Repair | 我们好好说 | wǒmen hǎohāo shuō | let’s talk calmly |
| Repair | 别生气 | bié shēngqì | don’t be mad |
| Repair | 你别误会 | nǐ bié wùhuì | don’t misunderstand |
| Repair | 我不是那个意思 | wǒ bú shì nà ge yìsi | that’s not what I meant |
| Repair | 我们先冷静一下 | wǒmen xiān lěngjìng yíxià | let’s calm down first |
| Repair | 你希望我怎么做？ | nǐ xīwàng wǒ zěnme zuò? | what do you want me to do? |
| Repair | 我们换个方式试试 | wǒmen huàn ge fāngshì shìshi | let’s try another way |
| Repair | 谢谢你愿意沟通 | xièxie nǐ yuànyi gōutōng | thanks for communicating |
| Support | 我支持你 | wǒ zhīchí nǐ | I support you |
| Support | 我相信你 | wǒ xiāngxìn nǐ | I believe in you |
| Support | 别担心 | bié dānxīn | don’t worry |
| Support | 慢慢来 | mànman lái | take it slow |
| Support | 你已经很棒了 | nǐ yǐjīng hěn bàng le | you’re already great |
| Support | 我陪你 | wǒ péi nǐ | I’ll be with you |
| Support | 需要我帮忙吗？ | xūyào wǒ bāngmáng ma? | need help? |
| Support | 我听着呢 | wǒ tīngzhe ne | I’m listening |
| Care | 你不舒服吗？ | nǐ bù shūfu ma? | are you unwell? |
| Care | 要不要去看医生？ | yào bu yào qù kàn yīshēng? | see a doctor? |
| Care | 多休息 | duō xiūxi | get more rest |
| Care | 早点睡 | zǎodiǎn shuì | sleep earlier |
| Care | 注意保暖 | zhùyì bǎonuǎn | keep warm |
| Care | 我给你泡杯热茶 | wǒ gěi nǐ pào bēi rè chá | I’ll make you hot tea |
| Family | 爸妈 | bà mā | parents |
| Family | 我爸 / 我妈 | wǒ bà / wǒ mā | my dad / my mom |
| Family | 你爸 / 你妈 | nǐ bà / nǐ mā | your dad / your mom |
| Family | 叔叔 | shūshu | uncle (polite) |
| Family | 阿姨 | āyí | auntie (polite) |
| Family | 亲戚 | qīnqi | relatives |
| Family | 我们去看他们 | wǒmen qù kàn tāmen | let’s visit them |
| Family | 跟家里视频 | gēn jiālǐ shìpín | video call family |
| Family | 过年 | guònián | Chinese New Year |
| Family | 红包 | hóngbāo | red envelope |
| Public | 走吧 | zǒu ba | let’s go |
| Public | 你先 | nǐ xiān | you first |
| Public | 我马上来 | wǒ mǎshàng lái | I’ll be right there |
| Public | 小心 | xiǎoxīn | careful |
| Celebrations | 纪念日 | jìniànrì | anniversary |
| Celebrations | 生日快乐 | shēngrì kuàilè | happy birthday |
| Celebrations | 恭喜 | gōngxǐ | congrats |
| Celebrations | 我准备了一个小惊喜 | wǒ zhǔnbèi le yí ge xiǎo jīngxǐ | I prepared a small surprise |
Next step: pick 10 phrases and use them for 7 days—this is how couples build a real “secret language.”
Common Mistakes Couples Make (and How to Fix Them)
- Over-using “我爱你”: it’s meaningful, but daily couples often use 我想你 (wǒ xiǎng nǐ), 辛苦了 (xīnkǔ le), 有你真好 (yǒu nǐ zhēn hǎo) more naturally.
- Being too direct in conflict: try softeners like 我有点… (wǒ yǒudiǎn…) and 我们好好说 (wǒmen hǎohāo shuō).
- Learning words without “ready sentences”: memorize complete lines you can deploy instantly (that’s why this guide is phrase-first).
Want to build your “secret language” together?
The fastest way is practicing these phrases with a teacher who can correct tones and help you sound natural as a couple.
Book a free trial lesson and tell us you’re learning as a couple—we’ll customize the first session around your real-life scenarios.
The fastest way is practicing these phrases with a teacher who can correct tones and help you sound natural as a couple.
Book a free trial lesson and tell us you’re learning as a couple—we’ll customize the first session around your real-life scenarios.
About GoEast Mandarin: Established in 2012, GoEast Mandarin has taught over 20,000 international students. Our lessons combine structured learning with real conversation practice—so you can actually use Chinese in your daily life.
Transparency Note: This educational content is created by GoEast Mandarin’s teaching team. Some links may direct to our learning resources, clearly identified as such.
