With its unique writing system and tonal pronunciation, Chinese can feel intimidating — but you don’t need to master it fully to enjoy a trip to China. Learning a handful of key phrases can help you connect with locals, get around more easily, order meals, shop, and simply show respect. Whether you’re traveling, meeting Chinese friends, or just fascinated by the language, knowing some basic Mandarin goes a long way.
In this article, we will guide you through essential Mandarin phrases for everyday travel situations in China: greetings, politeness, directions, eating out, shopping, and emergencies. We’ll provide simplified Chinese characters, Pinyin (romanization), a pronunciation guide, and English translation — so you can easily copy and say them on the go.
Greetings & Basic Politeness
Whether you meet someone at your hotel, on the street, or in a restaurant, first impressions matter. Here are essential phrases to start with:
- 你好 Nǐ hǎo — Hello / Hi (“nee how”)
- 早上好 Zǎo shàng hǎo — Good morning (“dzow shung haow”)
- 晚上好 Wǎn shàng hǎo — Good evening (“wun shung haow”)
- 晚安 Wǎn’ān — Good night (“wun‑ahn”)
- 请 / 请问 Qǐng / Qǐng wèn — Please / Excuse me (to ask a question) (“ching/ching wuhn”)
- 谢谢 / 谢谢你 Xièxiè (nǐ) — Thank you (“shyeah‑shyeah (nee)”)
- 不客气 Bú kèqi — You’re welcome / No problem (“boo kuh‑chee”)
- 对不起 Duìbuqǐ — Sorry / Excuse me (“dway boo chee”)
- 没关系 Méi guānxi — It’s okay / No problem (“may gwan‑shee”)
These simple but important phrases help you show respect, politeness, and cultural awareness, a small effort that often goes a long way.
Introductions & Basic Conversation Starters
Want to introduce yourself or ask a friendly question to strike up a conversation? These phrases will come in handy.
- 我叫 … Wǒ jiào … — My name is … (“wo jyaow …”)
- 我来自 … Wǒ lái zì … — I am from … (“wo lie z‑ee …”)
- 你好吗？ Nǐ hǎo ma? — How are you? (“nee haow ma”)
- 你会说英语吗？ Nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma? — Do you speak English? (“nee hway shwor Ying‑yoo ma”)
Simple introductions like “Hello, my name is … / I come from …” can help you break the ice, especially when travelling or staying in hostels and meeting fellow travellers or locals. The phrase “Do you speak English?” can also come in handy if you’re struggling with pronunciation or characters.
Getting Around & Asking for Help
Exploring China often involves navigating bustling cities, subway networks, and busy streets. These phrases will save you when you need help finding your way or asking for something.
- … 在哪里？ … zài nǎlǐ? — Where is …? (“… zye nah‑lee?”)
- 厕所在哪里？ Cè suǒ zài nǎlǐ? — Where is the restroom? (“tsuh swaw zye nah‑lee?”)
- 这个多少钱？ Zhè ge duō shǎo qián? — How much is this? (“juh guh dwaw shaow chyen?”)
- 我听不懂 Wǒ tīng bù dǒng — I don’t understand (“wo ting boo dong”)
- 我不会说中文 Wǒ bú huì shuō Zhōngwén — I can’t speak Chinese (“wo boo hway shwor jong‑wun”)
These phrases are extremely useful when you find yourself lost, looking for restrooms, or trying to ask for prices. They help you navigate daily life with more confidence and fewer misunderstandings.
Eating Out in China
China’s culinary scene is a highlight of any visit — but ordering at restaurants or night markets can feel tricky without English menus. These essential dining phrases will help you order like a local:
- 我要这个 Wǒ yào zhè ge — I want this one (“wo yow juh guh”)
- 我是素食者 Wǒ shì sùshí zhě — I’m vegetarian (“wo shir soo-shrr juh”)
- 我不吃肉 Wǒ bù chī ròu — I don’t eat meat (“wo boo chir row”)
- 不要辣 Bú yào là — No spice please (“boo yow lah”)
- 请不要太辣 Qǐng bú yào tài là — Please don’t make it too spicy (“ching boo yow tie lah”)
- 买单 Mǎi dān — Check, please! (“my dahn”)
- 可以刷卡吗？ Kěyǐ shuākǎ ma? — Can I pay by card? (“kuh yee shwah kah ma?”)
Learning even a few restaurant-specific phrases can make dining experiences smoother and more enjoyable. Always remember that food etiquette — like receiving items with both hands — is considered polite.
Shopping & Bargaining in Chinese
Markets and shops often have room for negotiation, especially in tourist areas. Use these handy phrases to get better deals and make friendly exchanges.
- 太贵了! Tài guì le! — Too expensive! (“tie gway luh”)
- 可以便宜一点吗？ Kěyǐ piányí yīdiǎn ma? — Can it be cheaper? (“kuh yee pyan‑yee ee‑dyen ma?”)
- 这个多少钱？ Zhè ge duōshǎo qián? — How much is this? (“juh guh dwaw shaow chyen?”)
- 我只是看看 Wǒ zhǐshì kànkan — I’m just looking (“wo jir shrr kan‑kan”)
- 我买这个 Wǒ mǎi zhè ge — I’ll take this (“wo my juh guh”)
Tip: It’s common to bargain politely in markets but not in chain stores. Always smile — humor and friendliness go further than haggling hard.
Transportation & Directions
Public transport is extensive in Chinese cities. Whether taking a taxi, subway, or high-speed train, these phrases will help you get to your destination:
- 去 … 怎么走？ Qù … zěnme zǒu? — How do I get to …? (“chyoo … dzun muh dzow?”)
- 我要去 … Wǒ yào qù … — I want to go to … (“wo yow chyoo …”)
- 这个地铁站在哪？ Zhè ge dìtiě zhàn zài nǎr? — Where is the subway station? (“juh guh dee‑tyeh jan zye nar?”)
- 打车 / 的士 Dǎ chē / Dīshì — Taxi (“dah chuh / dee-shr”)
- 请带我去这个地址 Qǐng dài wǒ qù zhè ge dìzhǐ — Please take me to this address (“ching dye wo chyoo juh guh dee-jrr”)
It’s a good idea to keep your hotel address written in Chinese or on your phone. Taxi drivers often don’t speak English, and place names can get lost in translation if you only say them in English.
Emergency & Health Phrases
While no one wants to think about emergencies while traveling, it’s smart to know how to ask for help if needed. These basic phrases can be lifesavers:
- 救命！ Jiù mìng! — Help! (“jyoh ming!”)
- 我生病了 Wǒ shēng bìng le — I’m sick (“wo shung bing luh”)
- 我需要医生 Wǒ xūyào yīshēng — I need a doctor (“wo shyoo yow ee shung”)
- 你能帮我吗？ Nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma? — Can you help me? (“nee nung bahng wo ma?”)
- 我迷路了 Wǒ mílù le — I’m lost (“wo mee loo luh”)
- 我的酒店在哪里？ Wǒ de jiǔdiàn zài nǎlǐ? — Where is my hotel? (“wo duh jyo‑dyen zye nah‑lee?”)
For extra safety, keep emergency contacts and local embassy details saved in your phone, along with a translation app like Pleco or Google Translate.
Romantic Phrases & Expressing Emotions
Love and affection are expressed a bit differently in Chinese culture — often more subtly and through actions rather than direct declarations. Still, if you’re feeling romantic or want to connect more deeply, here are some gentle and culturally appropriate ways to express feelings:
- 我爱你 Wǒ ài nǐ — I love you (“wo eye nee”)
- 我喜欢你 Wǒ xǐ huān nǐ — I like you (“wo shee hwahn nee”)
- 我想你 Wǒ xiǎng nǐ — I miss you (“wo shyahng nee”)
- 我很想你 Wǒ hěn xiǎng nǐ — I miss you very much (“wo hun shyahng nee”)
- 我想和你在一起 Wǒ xiǎng hé nǐ zài yīqǐ — I want to be with you (“wo shyahng huh nee dzai ee‑chee”)
- 你很漂亮 / 你很帅 Nǐ hěn piàoliang / Nǐ hěn shuài — You are beautiful/handsome (“nee hun pyow-lyang / nee hun shwai”)
Remember, Chinese people often express love through actions, gifts, or shared experiences. Direct expressions like “I love you” are usually reserved for serious relationships.
Special Greetings for Festivals & Welcoming
Holidays and hospitality are important in Chinese culture. Here are phrases to greet people warmly and celebrate special occasions.
- 欢迎 Huānyíng — Welcome! (“hwahn‑ying”)
- 吃饱了吗？ Chī bǎo le ma? — Have you eaten? (a traditional way to show care) (“chir bow luh ma?”)
- 圣诞快乐！ Shèngdàn kuàilè! — Merry Christmas! (“shung dan kwai luh”)
- 新年快乐！ Xīnnián kuàilè! — Happy New Year! (“shin nyen kwai luh”)
- 节日快乐！ Jiérì kuàilè! — Happy Holidays! (“jyeh rrr kwai luh”)
- 祝你好运 Zhù nǐ hǎo yùn — Wish you good luck (“joo nee haow yoon”)
Cultural Tips & Language Notes
Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language with four main tones, which means the same syllable can have multiple meanings depending on the tone. Even small pronunciation differences can lead to misunderstandings. Here are a few tips to make learning easier:
- Use Pinyin and tones together: When practicing, include tone marks in your learning — they’re crucial for being understood.
- Listen to native speakers: Apps like Duolingo, HelloChinese, or YouTube videos help you mimic tones and accents.
- Practice daily words: Even 5–10 minutes of daily practice can make a big difference when you land in China.
- Body language matters: Hand gestures, facial expressions, and a smile often help bridge communication gaps.
China is an incredibly hospitable country, and even a few attempts at speaking Mandarin can open doors, invite warm smiles, and show great respect to the culture you’re exploring.
Final Words
Whether you’re traveling to Beijing, hiking in Zhangjiajie, or sampling street food in Chengdu, these essential Mandarin phrases will boost your confidence and enrich your experience. Don’t worry about being perfect — Chinese people truly appreciate any effort you make to speak their language. Bookmark this guide, save it on your phone, and practice a few lines before your next adventure to China. 一路顺风! (Yī lù shùn fēng!) — Have a safe journey!
