Songs

Connect with the World: Friends of the World Vocabulary

Paul

18 Nov 2025 — 20 min read

Experience the joy of international friendship as children greet friends from around the globe in this uplifting Mandarin children's song.

Originally released November 18, 2025

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Master all the greeting and friendship vocabulary from "Friends of the World" with our free learning apps designed for this song!

→ Practice "Friends of the World" Flashcards

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The Story Behind the Song

"Friends of the World" takes young learners on a musical journey around the globe, greeting friends from Japan, Egypt, Mexico, France, Brazil, and the United States. The song captures the universal joy of making friends across cultures, featuring both Mandarin greetings and authentic greetings in other languages. With its cheerful, inclusive message and simple vocabulary, this children's song creates an engaging introduction to cross-cultural communication while teaching essential Chinese greeting expressions.

This delightful track is perfect for beginning Mandarin learners who want to master basic greetings and social expressions. The song focuses on foundational HSK 1-2 vocabulary including essential greeting phrases, friendship terminology, and action verbs that describe togetherness. The repetitive chorus and cheerful melody make these critical social expressions easy to remember and fun to practice.

What makes this song especially valuable is its authentic representation of global friendship and cultural exchange. By incorporating genuine greetings from multiple languages alongside Mandarin expressions, the song teaches not just Chinese vocabulary but also cultural awareness and appreciation for linguistic diversity. The themes of unity, exploration, and shared experiences create natural contexts for learning vocabulary that young learners will actually use in real conversations.

Complete Song Lyrics

Chorus

{你好|nǐ hǎo - hello} {你好|nǐ hǎo - hello} {我的|wǒ de - my}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello} {nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello} {wǒ de|我的 - my} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend})
Hello hello my friend

{我们|wǒ men - we}{一起|yī qǐ - together}{看|kàn - look at}{世界|shì jiè - world} ({wǒ men|我们 - we} {yī qǐ|一起 - together} {kàn|看 - look at} {shì jiè|世界 - world})
We look at the world together

{世界|shì jiè - world} {真|zhēn - really}{美|měi - beautiful} ({shì jiè|世界 - world} {zhēn|真 - really} {měi|美 - beautiful})
The world is really beautiful

Verse 1

{你好|nǐ hǎo - hello}{你好|nǐ hǎo - hello} {我的|wǒ de - my}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello}{nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello} {wǒ de|我的 - my} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend})
Hello hello my friend

{来自|lái zì - come from}{四方|sī fāng - all directions} {我|wǒ - I}{问好|wèn hǎo - greet} ({lái zì|来自 - come from} {sī fāng|四方 - all directions} {wǒ|我 - I} {wèn hǎo|问好 - greet})
Coming from all directions, I say hello

{大家|dà jiā - everyone}{手拉手|shǒu lā shǒu - hold hands} {一起|yī qǐ - together}{走|zǒu - walk} ({dà jiā|大家 - everyone} {shǒu lā shǒu|手拉手 - hold hands} {yī qǐ|一起 - together} {zǒu|走 - walk})
Everyone hold hands and walk together

{心里|xīn lǐ - in heart}{像|xiàng - like}{彩虹|cǎi hóng - rainbow} {闪耀着|shǎn yào zhe - shining} ({xīn lǐ|心里 - in heart} {xiàng|像 - like} {cǎi hóng|彩虹 - rainbow} {shǎn yào zhe|闪耀着 - shining})
In our hearts like a rainbow shining

Chorus

{你好|nǐ hǎo - hello}{你好|nǐ hǎo - hello} {我的|wǒ de - my}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello}{nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello} {wǒ de|我的 - my} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend})
Hello hello my friend

{一起|yī qǐ - together}{唱歌|chàng gē - sing songs} {一起|yī qǐ - together}{飞|fēi - fly} ({yī qǐ|一起 - together} {chàng gē|唱歌 - sing songs} {yī qǐ|一起 - together} {fēi|飞 - fly})
Sing songs together, fly together

Verse 2

{日本|Rì běn - Japan}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({Rì běn|日本 - Japan} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend}) こんにちは
Japanese friend, hello (konnichiwa)

{埃及|Āi jí - Egypt}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} {你好|nǐ hǎo - hello} ({Āi jí|埃及 - Egypt} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend} {nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello})
Egyptian friend, hello

{墨西哥|Mò xī gē - Mexico}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({Mòxī gē|墨西哥 - Mexico} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend}) ¡Hola!
Mexican friend, hello (hola)

{法国|Fǎ guó - France}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({Fǎ guó|法国 - France} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend}) bonjour {你好|nǐ hǎo - hello} ({nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello})
French friend, bonjour, hello

Verse 3

{巴西|Bā xī - Brazil}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({Bā xī|巴西 - Brazil} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend}) olá
Brazilian friend, hello (olá)

{美国|Měi guó - America}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({Měi guó|美国 - America} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend}) hey hey
American friend, hey hey

{世界|shì jiè - world}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} {你好|nǐ hǎo - hello} ({shì jiè|世界 - world} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend} {nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello})
Friends of the world, hello

{我们|wǒ men - we}{一起|yī qǐ - together}{向前|xiàng qián - forward}{飞|fēi - fly} ({wǒ men|我们 - we} {yī qǐ|一起 - together} {xiàng qián|向前 - forward} {fēi|飞 - fly})
We fly forward together

Final Chorus

{世界|shì jiè - world} {真|zhēn - really}{美|měi - beautiful} ({shì jiè|世界 - world} {zhēn|真 - really} {měi|美 - beautiful})
The world is really beautiful

Complete Vocabulary List

Master every Chinese word from this song with our comprehensive vocabulary breakdown, organized by HSK difficulty level for systematic learning.

Basic Vocabulary (HSK 1-2)

{你好|nǐ hǎo - hello} ({nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello}) = hello [HSK1]
{我|wǒ - I} ({wǒ|我 - I}) = I, me [HSK1]
{的|de - particle} ({de|的 - particle}) = possessive particle [HSK1]
{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({péng|朋 - companion} {yǒu|友 - friend}) = friend [HSK1]
{我们|wǒ men - we} ({wǒ|我 - I} {men|们 - plural}) = we, us [HSK1]
{一起|yī qǐ - together} ({yī|一 - one} {qǐ|起 - rise}) = together [HSK2]
{看|kàn - look} ({kàn|看 - look}) = to look, to see [HSK1]
{世界|shì jiè - world} ({shì|世 - world} {jiè|界 - boundary}) = world [HSK2]
{真|zhēn - really} ({zhēn|真 - really}) = really, truly [HSK1]
{美|měi - beautiful} ({měi|美 - beautiful}) = beautiful [HSK2]
{来自|lái zì - come from} ({lái|来 - come} {zì|自 - from}) = to come from [HSK2]
{问好|wèn hǎo - greet} ({wèn|问 - ask} {hǎo|好 - good}) = to greet, to say hello [HSK2]
{大家|dà jiā - everyone} ({dà|大 - big} {jiā|家 - family}) = everyone, all [HSK1]
{走|zǒu - walk} ({zǒu|走 - walk}) = to walk, to go [HSK1]
{心里|xīn lǐ - in heart} ({xīn|心 - heart} {lǐ|里 - inside}) = in one's heart [HSK2]
{像|xiàng - like} ({xiàng|像 - like}) = like, similar to [HSK2]
{唱歌|chàng gē - sing songs} ({chàng|唱 - sing} {gē|歌 - song}) = to sing songs [HSK1]
{飞|fēi - fly} ({fēi|飞 - fly}) = to fly [HSK2]

Intermediate Vocabulary (HSK 3-4)

{四方|sī fāng - all directions} ({sī|四 - four} {fāng|方 - direction}) = all directions, all quarters [HSK3]
{手拉手|shǒu lā shǒu - hold hands} ({shǒu|手 - hand} {lā|拉 - pull} {shǒu|手 - hand}) = hand in hand, hold hands [HSK3]
{彩虹|cǎi hóng - rainbow} ({cǎi|彩 - color} {hóng|虹 - rainbow}) = rainbow [HSK4]
{闪耀着|shǎn yào zhe - shining} ({shǎn|闪 - flash} {yào|耀 - shine} {zhe|着 - particle}) = shining, sparkling [HSK4]
{向前|xiàng qián - forward} ({xiàng|向 - toward} {qián|前 - front}) = forward, ahead [HSK3]

Advanced/Specialized Vocabulary (HSK 5+ or non-HSK)

{日本|Rì běn - Japan} ({Rì|日 - sun} {běn|本 - origin}) = Japan [Proper noun]
{埃及|Āi jí - Egypt} ({Āi|埃 - dust} {jí|及 - reach}) = Egypt [Proper noun]
{墨西哥|Mò xī gē - Mexico} ({Mò|墨 - ink} {xī|西 - west} {gē|哥 - elder brother}) = Mexico [Proper noun]
{法国|Fǎ guó - France} ({Fǎ|法 - law} {guó|国 - country}) = France [Proper noun]
{巴西|Bā xī - Brazil} ({Bā|巴 - to hope} {xī|西 - west}) = Brazil [Proper noun]
{美国|Měi guó - America} ({Měi|美 - beautiful} {guó|国 - country}) = America, USA [Proper noun]

Common and Useful Phrases

{你好|nǐ hǎo - hello}{你好|nǐ hǎo - hello} ({nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello} {nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello}) = hello hello (enthusiastic greeting)
{我|wǒ - I}{的|de - particle}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({wǒ|我 - I} {de|的 - particle} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend}) = my friend
{我们|wǒ men - we}{一起|yī qǐ - together} ({wǒ men|我们 - we} {yī qǐ|一起 - together}) = we together
{一起|yī qǐ - together}{看|kàn - look} ({yī qǐ|一起 - together} {kàn|看 - look}) = look together
{世界|shì jiè - world}{真|zhēn - really}{美|měi - beautiful} ({shì jiè|世界 - world} {zhēn|真 - really} {měi|美 - beautiful}) = the world is really beautiful
{来自|lái zì - come from}{四方|sī fāng - all directions} ({lái zì|来自 - come from} {sī fāng|四方 - all directions}) = coming from all directions
{大家|dà jiā - everyone}{手拉手|shǒu lā shǒu - hold hands} ({dà jiā|大家 - everyone} {shǒu lā shǒu|手拉手 - hold hands}) = everyone hold hands
{一起|yī qǐ - together}{走|zǒu - walk} ({yī qǐ|一起 - together} {zǒu|走 - walk}) = walk together
{心里|xīn lǐ - in heart}{像|xiàng - like}{彩虹|cǎi hóng - rainbow} ({xīn lǐ|心里 - in heart} {xiàng|像 - like} {cǎi hóng|彩虹 - rainbow}) = in our hearts like a rainbow
{一起|yī qǐ - together}{唱歌|chàng gē - sing songs} ({yī qǐ|一起 - together} {chàng gē|唱歌 - sing songs}) = sing songs together
{一起|yī qǐ - together}{飞|fēi - fly} ({yī qǐ|一起 - together} {fēi|飞 - fly}) = fly together
{日本|Rì běn - Japan}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({Rì běn|日本 - Japan} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend}) = Japanese friend
{埃及|Āi jí - Egypt}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({Āi jí|埃及 - Egypt} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend}) = Egyptian friend
{墨西哥|Mò xī gē - Mexico}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({Mò xī gē|墨西哥 - Mexico} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend}) = Mexican friend
{法国|Fǎ guó - France}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({Fǎ guó|法国 - France} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend}) = French friend
{巴西|Bā xī - Brazil}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({Bā xī|巴西 - Brazil} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend}) = Brazilian friend
{美国|Měi guó - America}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({Měi guó|美国 - America} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend}) = American friend
{世界|shì jiè - world}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({shì jiè|世界 - world} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend}) = friends of the world
{我们|wǒ men - we}{一起|yī qǐ - together}{向前|xiàng qián - forward}{飞|fēi - fly} ({wǒ men|我们 - we} {yī qǐ|一起 - together} {xiàng qián|向前 - forward} {fēi|飞 - fly}) = we fly forward together

Line-by-Line Analysis

Understanding the grammar and structure behind every line helps you build strong foundational knowledge for natural Chinese expression.

Chorus

{你好|nǐ hǎo - hello} {你好|nǐ hǎo - hello} {我|wǒ - I}{的|de - particle}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello} {nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello} {wǒ|我 - I} {de|的 - particle} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend} - Hello hello my friend)

Grammar: Greeting + Possessive phrase
Key Point: Repeating 你好 (nǐ hǎo) twice creates an enthusiastic, warm greeting commonly used with children
Structure: 你好你好 (nǐ hǎo nǐ hǎo - hello hello) + 我的朋友 (wǒ de péng yǒu - my friend)

{我们|wǒ men - we}{一起|yī qǐ - together}{看|kàn - look at}{世界|shì jiè - world} ({wǒ men|我们 - we} {yī qǐ|一起 - together} {kàn|看 - look at} {shì jiè|世界 - world} - We look at the world together)

Grammar: Subject + Adverb + Verb + Object
Key Point: 一起 (yī qǐ - together) emphasizes collective action and shared experience
Structure: 我们 (wǒ men - we) + 一起 (yī qǐ - together) + 看世界 (kàn shì jiè - look at the world)

{世界|shì jiè - world} {真|zhēn - really}{美|měi - beautiful} ({shì jiè|世界 - world} {zhēn|真 - really} {měi|美 - beautiful} - The world is really beautiful)

Grammar: Subject + Adverb + Adjective
Key Point: 真 (zhēn - really) intensifies the adjective to express strong appreciation
Structure: 世界 (shì jiè - world) + 真美 (zhēn měi - really beautiful)

Verse 1

{你好|nǐ hǎo - hello}{你好|nǐ hǎo - hello} {我|wǒ - I}{的|de - particle}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello}{nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello} {wǒ|我 - I} {de|的 - particle} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend} - Hello hello my friend)

Grammar: Greeting + Possessive phrase
Key Point: This repetition of the greeting establishes the warm, friendly tone of the entire song
Structure: 你好你好 (nǐ hǎo nǐ hǎo - hello hello) + 我的朋友 (wǒ de péng yǒu - my friend)

{来自|lái zì - come from}{四方|sī fāng - all directions} {我|wǒ - I}{问好|wèn hǎo - greet} ({lái zì|来自 - come from} {sī fāng|四方 - all directions} {wǒ|我 - I} {wèn hǎo|问好 - greet} - Coming from all directions, I say hello)

Grammar: Verb phrase + Subject + Verb
Key Point: 来自四方 (lái zì sī fāng) is a poetic expression meaning "from all corners of the world"
Structure: 来自四方 (lái zì sī fāng - come from all directions) + 我问好 (wǒ wèn hǎo - I greet)

{大家|dà jiā - everyone}{手拉手|shǒu lā shǒu - hold hands} {一起|yī qǐ - together}{走|zǒu - walk} ({dà jiā|大家 - everyone} {shǒu lā shǒu|手拉手 - hold hands} {yī qǐ|一起 - together} {zǒu|走 - walk} - Everyone hold hands and walk together)

Grammar: Subject + Verb phrase + Adverb + Verb
Key Point: 手拉手 (shǒu lā shǒu - hand in hand) creates a vivid image of unity and friendship
Structure: 大家 (dà jiā - everyone) + 手拉手 (shǒu lā shǒu - hold hands) + 一起走 (yī qǐ zǒu - walk together)

{心里|xīn lǐ - in heart}{像|xiàng - like}{彩虹|cǎi hóng - rainbow} {闪耀着|shǎn yào zhe - shining} ({xīn lǐ|心里 - in heart} {xiàng|像 - like} {cǎi hóng|彩虹 - rainbow} {shǎn yào zhe|闪耀着 - shining} - In our hearts like a rainbow shining)

Grammar: Locative phrase + Comparison + Subject + Verb
Key Point: 像 (xiàng) creates a simile comparing emotions to a rainbow, expressing joy and hope
Structure: 心里 (xīn lǐ - in heart) + 像彩虹 (xiàng cǎi hóng - like a rainbow) + 闪耀着 (shǎn yào zhe - shining)

Chorus

Grammar: Subject + Adverb + Verb + Object
Key Point: This line is repeated to emphasize the central theme of shared exploration
Structure: 我们 (wǒ men - we) + 一起 (yī qǐ - together) + 看世界 (kàn shì jiè - look at the world)

Grammar: Subject + Adverb + Verb + Object
Key Point: The repetition creates a musical refrain and reinforces the message of unity
Structure: 我们 (wǒ men - we) + 一起 (yī qǐ - together) + 看世界 (kàn shì jiè - look at the world)

{你好|nǐ hǎo - hello}{你好|nǐ hǎo - hello} {我|wǒ - I}{的|de - particle}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello}{nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello} {wǒ|我 - I} {de|的 - particle} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend} - Hello hello my friend)

Grammar: Greeting + Possessive phrase
Key Point: Returns to the opening greeting, creating musical and thematic continuity
Structure: 你好你好 (nǐ hǎo nǐ hǎo - hello hello) + 我的朋友 (wǒ de péng yǒu - my friend)

{一起|yī qǐ - together}{唱歌|chàng gē - sing songs} {一起|yī qǐ - together}{飞|fēi - fly} ({yī qǐ|一起 - together} {chàng gē|唱歌 - sing songs} {yī qǐ|一起 - together} {fēi|飞 - fly} - Sing songs together, fly together)

Grammar: Adverb + Verb + Adverb + Verb
Key Point: Repeating 一起 (yī qǐ) twice emphasizes collective action and shared joy
Structure: 一起唱歌 (yī qǐ chàng gē - sing songs together) + 一起飞 (yī qǐ fēi - fly together)

Verse 2

{日本|Rì běn - Japan}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({Rì běn|日本 - Japan} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend}) こんにちは

Grammar: Noun + Noun + Foreign greeting
Key Point: Combines Chinese and Japanese to demonstrate cross-cultural friendship
Structure: 日本朋友 (Rì běn péng yǒu - Japanese friend) + こんにちは (konnichiwa - hello in Japanese)

{埃及|Āi jí - Egypt}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} {你好|nǐ hǎo - hello} ({Āi jí|埃及 - Egypt} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend} {nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello} - Egyptian friend, hello)

Grammar: Noun + Noun + Greeting
Key Point: Using Chinese 你好 (nǐ hǎo) to greet an Egyptian friend shows universal communication through Mandarin
Structure: 埃及朋友 (Āi jí péng yǒu - Egyptian friend) + 你好 (nǐ hǎo - hello)

{墨西哥|Mò xī gē - Mexico}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({Mòxī gē|墨西哥 - Mexico} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend}) ¡Hola!

Grammar: Noun + Noun + Foreign greeting
Key Point: Spanish greeting ¡Hola! celebrates Mexican culture while maintaining the friendship theme
Structure: 墨西哥朋友 (Mò xī gē péng yǒu - Mexican friend) + ¡Hola! (hello in Spanish)

{法国|Fǎ guó - France}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({Fǎ guó|法国 - France} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend}) bonjour {你好|nǐ hǎo - hello}** ({nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello} - French friend, bonjour, hello)

Grammar: Noun + Noun + Foreign greeting + Chinese greeting
Key Point: Combines both French and Chinese greetings, showing bilingual friendship
Structure: 法国朋友 (Fǎ guó péng yǒu - French friend) + bonjour (hello in French) + 你好 (nǐ hǎo - hello)

Verse 3

{巴西|Bā xī - Brazil}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({Bā xī|巴西 - Brazil} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend}) olá

Grammar: Noun + Noun + Foreign greeting
Key Point: Portuguese greeting olá represents Brazilian culture in this global friendship song
Structure: 巴西朋友 (Bā xī péng yǒu - Brazilian friend) + olá (hello in Portuguese)

{美国|Měi guó - America}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({Měi guó|美国 - America} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend}) hey hey

Grammar: Noun + Noun + Casual greeting
Key Point: Informal English "hey hey" reflects casual American greeting style
Structure: 美国朋友 (Měi guó péng yǒu - American friend) + hey hey (casual hello)

{世界|shì jiè - world}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} {你好|nǐ hǎo - hello} ({shì jiè|世界 - world} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend} {nǐ hǎo|你好 - hello} - Friends of the world, hello)

Grammar: Noun + Noun + Greeting
Key Point: 世界朋友 (shì jiè péng yǒu) brings all the international friends together into one united concept
Structure: 世界朋友 (shì jiè péng yǒu - friends of the world) + 你好 (nǐ hǎo - hello)

{我们|wǒ men - we}{一起|yī qǐ - together}{向前|xiàng qián - forward}{飞|fēi - fly} ({wǒ men|我们 - we} {yī qǐ|一起 - together} {xiàng qián|向前 - forward} {fēi|飞 - fly} - We fly forward together)

Grammar: Subject + Adverb + Directional phrase + Verb
Key Point: 向前飞 (xiàng qián fēi - fly forward) creates an aspirational image of progress and shared future
Structure: 我们 (wǒ men - we) + 一起 (yī qǐ - together) + 向前飞 (xiàng qián fēi - fly forward)

Final Chorus

Grammar: Greeting + Possessive phrase
Key Point: Returns to the opening greeting one final time, creating perfect circular structure
Structure: 你好你好 (nǐ hǎo nǐ hǎo - hello hello) + 我的朋友 (wǒ de péng yǒu - my friend)

Grammar: Subject + Adverb + Verb + Object
Key Point: This central message is repeated one final time to reinforce the song's core theme
Structure: 我们 (wǒ men - we) + 一起 (yī qǐ - together) + 看世界 (kàn shì jiè - look at the world)

{世界|shì jiè - world} {真|zhēn - really}{美|měi - beautiful} ({shì jiè|世界 - world} {zhēn|真 - really} {měi|美 - beautiful} - The world is really beautiful)

Grammar: Subject + Adverb + Adjective
Key Point: Ends with this optimistic statement about the beauty of our diverse world
Structure: 世界 (shì jiè - world) + 真美 (zhēn měi - really beautiful)

Advanced Grammar Points

These key grammar patterns from the song will elevate your Chinese expression and help you sound more natural.

1. Possessive Construction with 的 (de)

Pattern: Subject + {的|de - particle} + Noun
Function: Indicates possession or relationship between a person and a noun
Example: {我|wǒ - I}{的|de - particle}{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} ({wǒ|我 - I} {de|的 - particle} {péng yǒu|朋友 - friend} - my friend)
Usage: Essential possessive marker in Mandarin; can be omitted with close relationships (我妈妈) but typically required for general nouns

2. Collective Action with 一起 (yī qǐ)

Pattern: Subject + {一起|yī qǐ - together} + Verb
Function: Expresses doing something together as a group or collective action
Example: {我们|wǒ men - we}{一起|yī qǐ - together}{看|kàn - look at}{世界|shì jiè - world} ({wǒ men|我们 - we} {yī qǐ|一起 - together} {kàn|看 - look at} {shì jiè|世界 - world} - we look at the world together)
Usage: Very common adverb for emphasizing shared activities; can be placed before or after the subject

3. Adverb Intensification with 真 (zhēn)

Pattern: Subject + {真|zhēn - really} + Adjective
Function: Intensifies adjectives to express genuine feelings or observations
Example: {世界|shì jiè - world}{真|zhēn - really}{美|měi - beautiful} ({shì jiè|世界 - world} {zhēn|真 - really} {měi|美 - beautiful} - the world is really beautiful)
Usage: Common intensifier in spoken Chinese; more emphatic than 很 (hěn); expresses sincere appreciation

4. Source Expression with 来自 (lái zì)

Pattern: {来自|lái zì - come from} + Location/Origin
Function: Indicates origin, source, or where someone/something comes from
Example: {来自|lái zì - come from}{四方|sī fāng - all directions} ({lái zì|来自 - come from} {sī fāng|四方 - all directions} - coming from all directions)
Usage: More formal than just using 从 (cóng); often used in introductions and descriptions of origin

5. Simile Construction with 像 (xiàng)

Pattern: Subject + {像|xiàng - like} + Noun
Function: Creates comparisons and similes to describe qualities through imagery
Example: {心里|xīn lǐ - in heart}{像|xiàng - like}{彩虹|cǎi hóng - rainbow} ({xīn lǐ|心里 - in heart} {xiàng|像 - like} {cǎi hóng|彩虹 - rainbow} - in our hearts like a rainbow)
Usage: Essential for poetic and descriptive language; creates vivid mental images in conversation

6. Directional Expression with 向前 (xiàng qián)

Pattern: Verb + {向前|xiàng qián - forward}
Function: Indicates forward movement or progression toward future goals
Example: {我们|wǒ men - we}{一起|yī qǐ - together}{向前|xiàng qián - forward}{飞|fēi - fly} ({wǒ men|我们 - we} {yī qǐ|一起 - together} {xiàng qián|向前 - forward} {fēi|飞 - fly} - we fly forward together)
Usage: Commonly used metaphorically for progress and advancement; inspirational in tone

7. Progressive Action with 着 (zhe)

Pattern: Verb + {着|zhe - particle}
Function: Indicates ongoing state or continuous action
Example: {彩虹|cǎi hóng - rainbow}{闪耀|shǎn yào - shine}{着|zhe - particle} ({cǎi hóng|彩虹 - rainbow} {shǎn yào|闪耀 - shine} {zhe|着 - particle} - rainbow shining)
Usage: Shows that an action is in progress or a state is continuing; adds descriptive quality to verbs

Thematic Vocabulary Groups

Beyond individual words, understanding how vocabulary clusters around themes helps you recall and use words more naturally in context.

{你好|nǐ hǎo - hello} - most universal Chinese greeting
{问好|wèn hǎo - greet} - formal verb for greeting someone

People & Relationships

{我|wǒ - I} - first person pronoun
{我们|wǒ men - we} - first person plural pronoun
{朋友|péng yǒu - friend} - friends and companions
{大家|dà jiā - everyone} - all people, everybody

Unity & Togetherness

{一起|yī qǐ - together} - doing things collectively
{手拉手|shǒu lā shǒu - hold hands} - physical symbol of connection and unity

World & Geography

{世界|shì jiè - world} - the entire world, global
{四方|sī fāng - all directions} - all corners, every direction
{日本|Rì běn - Japan} - island nation in East Asia
{埃及|Āi jí - Egypt} - North African country
{墨西哥|Mò xī gē - Mexico} - North American country
{法国|Fǎ guó - France} - European country
{巴西|Bā xī - Brazil} - South American country
{美国|Měi guó - America} - United States of America

Movement & Actions

{看|kàn - look} - to look, to see, to watch
{走|zǒu - walk} - to walk, to go
{唱歌|chàng gē - sing songs} - to sing, singing activity
{飞|fēi - fly} - to fly, soaring movement
{向前|xiàng qián - forward} - moving ahead, progression

Emotions & Descriptions

{真|zhēn - really} - genuine intensifier for emotions
{美|měi - beautiful} - beautiful, aesthetically pleasing
{心里|xīn lǐ - in heart} - inner feelings and emotions
{像|xiàng - like} - comparison and similarity
{彩虹|cǎi hóng - rainbow} - symbol of hope and diversity
{闪耀着|shǎn yào zhe - shining} - sparkling, radiating light

Grammar & Function Words

{的|de - particle} - possessive particle linking words
{来自|lái zì - come from} - indicating origin or source

Cultural Notes

The concept of global friendship through language learning has deep significance in Chinese educational philosophy. The song "Friends of the World" (全世界都是朋友) embodies the Chinese cultural value of 和 (hé - harmony) and 天下一家 (tiān xià yī jiā - all under heaven are one family), which emphasizes universal human connection beyond borders.

The inclusion of authentic greetings from multiple languages (Japanese こんにちは, Spanish ¡Hola!, French bonjour, Portuguese olá) alongside Mandarin demonstrates the Chinese educational approach of respecting cultural diversity while using Mandarin as a bridge language for global communication. This reflects modern China's emphasis on international cooperation and cultural exchange.

The imagery of 手拉手 (shǒu lā shǒu - holding hands) and 彩虹 (cǎi hóng - rainbow) carries particular resonance in Chinese children's culture, where physical connection and colorful imagery represent unity, hope, and joy. The rainbow metaphor specifically connects to the Chinese idiom 雨过天晴 (yǔ guò tiān qíng - after rain comes clear sky), suggesting that diversity and cooperation lead to beauty and harmony.

🎮 Practice with Interactive Learning Tools

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Perfect for pronunciation practice and comprehension

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🎵 Watch & Listen

🎮 Interactive Learning Tools

The Story Behind the Song

Complete Song Lyrics

Chorus

Verse 1

Chorus

Verse 2

Verse 3

Final Chorus

Complete Vocabulary List

Basic Vocabulary (HSK 1-2)

Intermediate Vocabulary (HSK 3-4)

Advanced/Specialized Vocabulary (HSK 5+ or non-HSK)

Common and Useful Phrases

Line-by-Line Analysis

Chorus

Verse 1

Chorus

Verse 2

Verse 3

Final Chorus

Advanced Grammar Points

1. Possessive Construction with 的 (de)

2. Collective Action with 一起 (yī qǐ)

3. Adverb Intensification with 真 (zhēn)

4. Source Expression with 来自 (lái zì)

5. Simile Construction with 像 (xiàng)

6. Directional Expression with 向前 (xiàng qián)

7. Progressive Action with 着 (zhe)

Thematic Vocabulary Groups

Greetings & Social Expressions

People & Relationships

Unity & Togetherness

World & Geography

Movement & Actions

Emotions & Descriptions

Grammar & Function Words

Cultural Notes

🎮 Practice with Interactive Learning Tools

📱 Coming Soon: More Learning Tools

What's Next?

Support Mandarin Melody Hub

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