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China · Chinese (Mandarin) Travel Phrases

The most useful local expressions, ordered by importance. Pronunciations are approximate.

Greetings

  1. 1
    你好
    Hello “ni hao”
  2. 2
    谢谢
    Thank you “xie xie”
  3. 3
    不好意思
    Excuse me / Sorry (to get attention or apologize) “bu hao yi si”
  4. 4
    对不起
    I'm sorry (apology) “dui bu qi”
  5. 5
    没关系
    It's okay / No problem “mei guan xi”
  6. 6
    再见
    Goodbye “zai jian”
  7. 7
    麻烦你了
    Sorry to trouble you (when asking a favor) “ma fan ni le”
Local etiquette
  • Handshakes are fine, but hugs and cheek kisses feel awkward. Exchange business cards with both hands when you first meet.
  • Defer to elders and senior figures first, and address people by surname plus title rather than first name.
  • "Face" (mianzi) matters greatly. Criticize or decline gently and never make someone lose face in public.

Basics

  1. 1
    是 / 不是
    Yes / No “shi / bu shi”
  2. 2
    我听不懂
    I don't understand “wo ting bu dong”
  3. 3
    我不会说中文
    I don't speak Chinese “wo bu hui shuo zhong wen”
  4. 4
    请说慢一点
    Please speak slowly “qing shuo man yi dian”
  5. 5
    你会说英语吗？
    Do you speak English? “ni hui shuo ying yu ma?”
  6. 6
    请写下来
    Please write it down “qing xie xia lai”
  7. 7
    这是什么？
    What is this? “zhe shi shen me?”
  8. 8
    可以拍照吗？
    May I take a photo? “ke yi pai zhao ma?”
Local etiquette
  • Photography is banned near military sites, government buildings and police. Ask "ke yi pai zhao ma?" before shooting.
  • Google, Instagram, YouTube and KakaoTalk are blocked. Install a VPN in advance and set up WeChat.
  • A real-name policy means you need your passport for a SIM card, hotel check-in and train tickets.

Shopping

  1. 1
    多少钱？
    How much is it? “duo shao qian?”
  2. 2
    可以用微信/支付宝吗？
    Can I pay with WeChat Pay / Alipay? (mobile pay dominates) “ke yi yong wei xin / zhi fu bao ma?”
  3. 3
    可以用现金吗？
    Can I pay with cash? (change often unavailable) “ke yi yong xian jin ma?”
  4. 4
    太贵了，便宜一点
    Too expensive, a bit cheaper please (at markets) “tai gui le, pian yi yi dian”
  5. 5
    我要这个
    I'll take this one “wo yao zhe ge”
  6. 6
    可以扫我的码
    Scan my QR code (to pay) “ke yi sao wo de ma”
  7. 7
    有发票吗？
    Do you have a receipt? “you fa piao ma?”
Local etiquette
  • WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate. Foreign cards and cash are often refused, so set up mobile payment before you go.
  • Bargaining is expected at markets and souvenir shops. Start at about half the asking price.
  • Vendors often can't make change for cash, so keep a QR-pay option ready.

Restaurant

  1. 1
    菜单
    Menu (please) “cai dan”
  2. 2
    有推荐的吗？
    What do you recommend? “you tui jian de ma?”
  3. 3
    我要这个
    This one, please “wo yao zhe ge”
  4. 4
    不要辣
    Not spicy, please “bu yao la”
  5. 5
    一瓶热水，谢谢
    A bottle of hot water, please (cold water is rare) “yi ping re shui, xie xie”
  6. 6
    我不吃香菜
    No cilantro (coriander) for me “wo bu chi xiang cai”
  7. 7
    打包
    To go / Pack it up, please “da bao”
  8. 8
    买单/结账
    Check, please “mai dan / jie zhang”
Local etiquette
  • Hot water (re shui) is served by default instead of cold. Ask for "re shui" if you want it.
  • There is no tipping. You usually pay by scanning a QR code or at the counter.
  • Dishes are shared on a round table. Use the communal serving chopsticks (gong kuai) if provided.
  • When someone pours your tea, lightly tap two fingers on the table to say thanks.

Getting around

  1. 1
    厕所在哪里？
    Where is the toilet? “ce suo zai na li?”
  2. 2
    地铁站在哪里？
    Where is the subway station? “di tie zhan zai na li?”
  3. 3
    去这个地址
    Take me to this address (show driver the screen) “qu zhe ge di zhi”
  4. 4
    请打表
    Please use the meter (taxi) “qing da biao”
  5. 5
    怎么去这里？
    How do I get here? “zen me qu zhe li?”
  6. 6
    到了请告诉我
    Please tell me when we arrive “dao le qing gao su wo”
  7. 7
    我迷路了
    I'm lost “wo mi lu le”
Local etiquette
  • Every subway and train station has a security bag scan. Carry your passport and check rules on lighters and power banks.
  • To avoid overcharging, use Didi (the ride app) or ask the taxi to use the meter (da biao).
  • Train and high-speed rail tickets are real-name, so you need your passport number to book.

Hotel

  1. 1
    我有预订
    I have a reservation “wo you yu ding”
  2. 2
    我要办入住
    I'd like to check in “wo yao ban ru zhu”
  3. 3
    几点退房？
    What time is check-out? “ji dian tui fang?”
  4. 4
    可以帮我保管行李吗？
    Could you hold my luggage? “ke yi bang wo bao guan xing li ma?”
  5. 5
    Wi-Fi密码是多少？
    What's the Wi-Fi password? “wai fai mi ma shi duo shao?”
  6. 6
    空调怎么开？
    How do I turn on the air conditioner? “kong tiao zen me kai?”
Local etiquette
  • Not every hotel accepts foreign guests. Confirm the hotel is licensed for foreigners (shewai) before booking.
  • At check-in your passport is registered with the police. Homestays must register guests too.

Emergency

  1. 1
    救命！
    Help! (emergency) “jiu ming!”
  2. 2
    请帮帮我
    Please help me “qing bang bang wo”
  3. 3
    请叫警察
    Please call the police “qing jiao jing cha”
  4. 4
    请叫救护车
    Please call an ambulance “qing jiao jiu hu che”
  5. 5
    医院在哪里？
    Where is a hospital? “yi yuan zai na li?”
  6. 6
    我的护照丢了
    I lost my passport “wo de hu zhao diu le”
Local etiquette
  • Police 110, ambulance 120, fire 119. Note the ambulance number is 120, not what you may be used to.
  • If you lose your passport, contact your embassy or consulate to get a travel document.
  • Install a translation app (WeChat translate or Baidu) beforehand to communicate in an emergency.