PSLE Chinese Oral Study Guide · 华文口试 · Chapter 3

PSLE Chinese Oral Vocabulary Banks: 48 Words for the 6 Most Likely Themes

Eight essential PSLE-level words for each of the six themes we would build 2026 preparation around. Pinyin, English, and a seven-minute home drill that works even if you don't speak Mandarin.

Want the full explanation? For the full English-first coaching routine that works without bilingual fluency, read the pillar article: How to help your child with PSLE Chinese Oral when you don't speak Chinese →

Eight words per theme — six weeks of vocabulary

For each of the six high-probability 2026 themes, the lists below give eight PSLE-level words your child should be able to use in a sentence — not just recognise on a page. Work through one theme a week for six weeks and your child will have coverage of roughly 90% of what the exam is likely to ask about.

The practical test is simple: can your child put the word into a sentence? A student who can say “我们应该有环保意识，减少使用一次性塑料” will impress examiners far more than one who knows the words but cannot connect them into a claim.

1. Environment 环境保护

中文	Pinyin	English
节约能源	jié yuē néng yuán	conserve energy
减少浪费	jiǎn shǎo làng fèi	reduce waste
循环再用	xún huán zài yòng	recycle and reuse
全球暖化	quán qiú nuǎn huà	global warming
环保意识	huán bǎo yì shí	environmental awareness
一次性塑料	yī cì xìng sù liào	single-use plastic
绿色生活	lǜ sè shēng huó	green living
爱护地球	ài hù dì qiú	care for the earth

2. Technology 科技 / 网络安全

中文	Pinyin	English
沉迷手机	chén mí shǒu jī	addicted to phones
网络安全	wǎng luò ān quán	cyber safety
屏幕时间	píng mù shí jiān	screen time
网络欺凌	wǎng luò qī líng	cyberbullying
自律	zì lǜ	self-discipline
虚假信息	xū jiǎ xìn xī	misinformation
面对面交流	miàn duì miàn jiāo liú	face-to-face interaction
适当使用	shì dàng shǐ yòng	use appropriately

3. Community 社区精神 / 助人

中文	Pinyin	English
义工活动	yì gōng huó dòng	volunteer work
回馈社会	huí kuì shè huì	give back to society
举手之劳	jǔ shǒu zhī láo	a small effort to help
同情心	tóng qíng xīn	compassion
设身处地	shè shēn chǔ dì	put yourself in their shoes
守望相助	shǒu wàng xiāng zhù	look out for each other
尊老爱幼	zūn lǎo ài yòu	respect the elderly, love the young
主动帮助	zhǔ dòng bāng zhù	proactively help

4. Health 健康 / 身心健康

中文	Pinyin	English
均衡饮食	jūn héng yǐn shí	balanced diet
锻炼身体	duàn liàn shēn tǐ	exercise
心理健康	xīn lǐ jiàn kāng	mental health
疏解压力	shū jiě yā lì	relieve stress
充足的睡眠	chōng zú de shuì mián	adequate sleep
良好的生活习惯	liáng hǎo de shēng huó xí guàn	good lifestyle habits
强身健体	qiáng shēn jiàn tǐ	strengthen the body
情绪管理	qíng xù guǎn lǐ	manage emotions

5. Family 家庭关系 / 亲情

中文	Pinyin	English
孝顺	xiào shùn	filial piety
天伦之乐	tiān lún zhī lè	family happiness
陪伴	péi bàn	accompany / be present
感恩	gǎn ēn	gratitude
沟通	gōu tōng	communication
分担家务	fēn dān jiā wù	share housework
以身作则	yǐ shēn zuò zé	lead by example
代沟	dài gōu	generation gap

6. Singapore Culture 种族和谐 / 文化

中文	Pinyin	English
种族和谐	zhǒng zú hé xié	racial harmony
多元文化	duō yuán wén huà	multicultural
互相尊重	hù xiāng zūn zhòng	mutual respect
传统文化	chuán tǒng wén huà	traditional culture
小贩文化	xiǎo fàn wén huà	hawker culture
代代相传	dài dài xiāng chuán	pass down through generations
团结	tuán jié	unity
各族人民	gè zú rén mín	people of all races

How to drill these vocabulary banks

Vocabulary work for oral is not flashcard work. Flashcards train recognition; oral marks reward production. The drill below takes seven minutes and costs you nothing:

Hand your child the list for that week's theme — eight words, no more.
Ask them to read each word aloud. Check pronunciation against Pleco or Google Translate if you don't speak Chinese.
For each word, ask them to make a sentence — out loud, in Mandarin. Simple sentences are fine. What matters is that the word is in active use.
Record the last three sentences on your phone. Play them back at the end so your child hears themselves.
On Friday, ask for a 60-second answer using at least three words from that week's list in response to a themed question.

Get the full 9-page printable guide

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