Body Parts in Chinese - with measure words, songs, and more

In this post: Learn the names of over 30+ body parts in Chinese, with their respective measure words! This comprehensive vocabulary list is a collection of body parts that can be taught early on to kids. It is often amongst the first set of vocabulary toddlers acquire. Here, we share not only vocabulary but also suggestions for books, songs, games, and other ways to incorporate Chinese body part vocabulary in daily life.  

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Table of contents 

1. Vocabulary list: 30+ body parts in Chinese (with measure words) 
2. Books about body parts in Chinese 
3. Songs about body parts in Chinese 
4. Games and other fun ways to reinforce body part vocabulary  

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Vocabulary list: 30+ body parts in Chinese

上半身 | Upper Body Parts in Chinese 

核心 | Core Body Parts in Chinese 

下半身 | Lower Body Parts in Chinese 

 (1) 头发 is pronounced differently in China vs. in Taiwan.  In China, the fa is pronounced as the 1st or no sound (tóu fa), whereas in Taiwan, it is produced as the 3rd sound (tóu fǎ). 

(2) 手臂／胳膊 both can be translated as arms. The difference in Chinese is 手臂 includes arms and hands, whereas 胳膊 is just the upper and lower arms. 

(3) 胃 / 肚子 both can be translated as stomach. The difference in Chinese is 胃 is the stomach organ, and 肚子 is more closely translated to belly.

(4) 臀／屁股 both can be translated as buttocks. The difference in Chinese is 臀 is the textbook term, and 屁股 is more colloquial term. 

(5) One of unique things about the Chinese language is the existence of measure words 量词 (liàng cí).  Measure words are used when counting nouns. We have listed the measure words for the different body parts here, in case helpful. 

Books about body parts in Chinese

I Love My Body | Habbi Habbi 

I love this book! My kids can hear the words while looking at, exploring/tapping the images. Even though each page only shows a couple of words and one main sentence, the beauty of Habbi Habbi books lies in the fact that every inch of the page is tappable - so kids can tap through the whole face, including tiny parts like the nose and mouth. Within each book, there are over 60 clips you can listen to and learn from. In addition, our little ones will hear affirmational phrases on each page, addressing different insecurities kids have, from hair type to freckles to body size and more. Habbi Habbi also offers a great (FREE) printable that builds on their book - where kids can practice identifying and tracing over 20+ body parts. 

LeapFrog English-Chinese 100 Words Book 

We also like this book. While the “My Body” section is only one page and has less vocabulary, it has a small collection of facts about each body part, such as “We smell with our nose.” Aside from this body page, it covers other basic themes such as colors, animals, weather, etc. It’s relatively indestructible and a great addition to any car-ride entertainment stash.

Chinese Human Body Book 我们的身体 

This is a popular 3D book for children - Chinese only (no English!)  It walks through different body systems such as: circulatory, digestive, muscular, and skeletal. It covers more complex topics, requiring a decent level of language comprehension. 

Songs about body parts in Chinese

My little one loves music, not unlike most toddlers. So one of the methods I make learning new vocabulary fun for him is through music to help him memorize words or phrases. There are many Mandarin songs about body parts available, and here are some of the popular ones we’ve loved since he was just a few months old:

• Head and Shoulders 头和肩膀 - Sing Along - This song needs no introduction. Still, if you haven’t heard it in a while, it covers all the basic body part vocabulary from head to toe! It’s a familiar tune that children often have already heard or learned. We have found that hearing it in another language allows for quick retention! 
• Parts of Our Body Song 我们身体歌 - This animated song not only covers body parts but also incorporates what the parts are used for (so little ones can make the association between the body part and its application). 
• If You’re Happy 如果开心你就拍拍手  - This is another classic song that’s easy to learn in Chinese since the lyrics are simple and frequently repeated. It’s the perfect first song for infants - you can use it to learn new vocabulary and practice motor skills (clapping hands together!) 

Games about body parts in Chinese 

Another way I try to make learning fun is by incorporating language into daily play to help reinforce word association. My toddler absorbs and retains new information better when he can connect what he’s learning to an activity, so I try to stray away from drill sergeant learning and focus more on experiential learning. Here are a few easy, low-prep games we love that you can try.

• Simon says - [zero prep] a classic and easy game where you can call out any body part to highlight, combining action with word repetition; this will allow little ones to have better word association.
• Mr. Potato - [low prep] another classic toy you can either purchase or that we have DIY’d using cardboard. With this game, little ones can use their imagination and practice placing different body parts on Mr.Potato to create various looks and expressions while practicing vocabulary aloud! 
• Pin the Tail - [low prep] this interactive game is silly and fun while allowing little ones to constantly think about the different body parts they’ve pinned the donkey’s tail on. All you need is a simple drawing of a donkey (or other animal of your choice) with a head and body minus the tail. Tape it up on a wall and blindfold your little one.  The goal is to walk up to the donkey and successfully pin (or tape) the tail to where it belongs. Most of the time, they’d likely pin it in the wrong place, so it’s a good chance to laugh and practice naming the body part - of the - inaccurate placement before trying again. 
  
  

Other ways to incorporate body parts in Chinese

• Morning or bedtime routine in Chinese - Morning or night routines are a great opportunity to practice naming body parts such as arms, legs, and teeth, as they naturally fit into kids’ routines. They have to get in and out of pajamas, brush their teeth, take showers, etc. 
• Playground fun in Chinese - Visiting parks and climbing play structures is another excellent practice opportunity. You can intentionally create sentences by incorporating body part vocabulary. For example, “You can hold the bar with your hands,” “This is for stepping up with your feet,” “You can slide down with your bottom,” etc. The options are endless. 
• A close look at house pets in Chinese - Have a pet in the family? Try asking your little one to name body parts on your fur friend is another way to make vocabulary practice entertaining. You can also incorporate the concept of “same / different” by having them identify what’s the same or different between their body and their furry friends. 

If you liked this, you might also appreciate the following:

• 6 favorite Youtube Channels for Kids to Learn Chinese 
• 5 Tips to keep up Chinese for kids, when English is taking over 

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Check out more bilingual resources from Habbi Habbi 

We have lots more (fun stuff!) here at Habbi Habbi. You can explore our free resources such as bilingual printables, resource blog, and audiobooks. Of course, we also have our much loved magical Reading Wand, bilingual books, puzzles & flashcards. Our tools are currently available in Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, French, Korean, and Hindi.

About our lovely guest contributor: Helen Wu 

I am a SAHM with two boys, S1(3y/o) and S2(5m/o). I’m a native Mandarin speaker born in China. I learned Cantonese in my middle school days watching TVB dramas, and in collect, I studied Japanese and lived in Japan for a few summers teaching English.  I absolutely love the idea of learning different languages because it allows me to connect with people from different cultures. Currently, I live in SF with my husband and kids, including my fur-daughter, a Westie named Mochi.  I find cooking and baking very therapeutic so in times of high stress, you’d find me in the kitchen laser-focused on making something. I think it’s the idea of creating something delicious from scratch (and the alone time tbh) that makes it so rewarding for me!