While English is spoken in major hotels and tourist attractions, most restaurants, taxi drivers, and small shops operate entirely in Chinese. Knowing even 20-30 phrases will dramatically improve your travel experience. Chinese people genuinely appreciate the effort, and you'll often get better service, prices, and connections.
Pronunciation tip: Mandarin Chinese has 4 tones. The meaning changes with tone! For example, "mā" (妈, mother), "má" (麻, hemp), "mǎ" (马, horse), "mà" (骂, scold). Don't worry too much — context usually makes your meaning clear. Just try your best!
Greetings & Politeness
你好Nǐ hǎoHello (general greeting)
谢谢Xiè xieThank you
不客气Bù kè qìYou're welcome
对不起Duì bu qǐSorry / Excuse me
没关系Méi guān xiNo problem / It's okay
再见Zài jiànGoodbye
请QǐngPlease (used before requests)
早上好Zǎo shang hǎoGood morning
晚上好Wǎn shang hǎoGood evening
Dining & Ordering Food
菜单Cài dānMenu
我要这个Wǒ yào zhè geI'd like this (while pointing)
不要辣Bù yào làNot spicy (critical phrase!)
我是素食者Wǒ shì sù shí zhěI'm vegetarian
我不吃肉Wǒ bù chī ròuI don't eat meat
买单Mǎi dānCheck please / Bill
好吃Hǎo chīDelicious!
服务员Fú wù yuánWaiter / Waitress!
再来一碗米饭Zài lái yī wǎn mǐ fànOne more bowl of rice
有英文菜单吗？Yǒu Yīng wén cài dān ma?Do you have an English menu?
我要冰啤酒Wǒ yào bīng pí jiǔI'd like a cold beer
Pro tip: In many local restaurants, there's no menu — the dishes are on the wall in Chinese. Use a translation app (Google Translate's camera mode or Baidu Translate) to scan the text. Or point at what other tables are eating and say "wǒ yào zhè ge" (I want this one).
Directions & Transport
在哪里？Zài nǎ lǐ?Where is...?
怎么走？Zěn me zǒu?How do I get there?
左ZuǒLeft
右YòuRight
一直走Yī zhí zǒuGo straight
地铁Dì tiěMetro / Subway
火车Huǒ chēTrain
飞机场Fēi jī chǎngAirport
火车站Huǒ chē zhànTrain station
酒店Jiǔ diànHotel
请送我去这里Qǐng sòng wǒ qù zhè lǐPlease take me here (show driver address)
停车！Tíng chē!Stop (the car)!
Shopping & Bargaining
多少钱？Duō shǎo qián?How much?
太贵了Tài guì leToo expensive!
便宜一点Pián yi yī diǎnA little cheaper
可以便宜吗？Kě yǐ pián yi ma?Can you make it cheaper?
我要买这个Wǒ yāo mǎi zhè geI want to buy this
我不要Wǒ bù yàoI don't want it
支付宝可以吗？Zhī fù bǎo kě yǐ ma?Is Alipay okay?
微信可以吗？Wēi xìn kě yǐ ma?Is WeChat okay?
现金Xiàn jīnCash
Bargaining culture: In markets, night bazaars, and tourist souvenir shops, bargaining is expected. Start at 30-50% of the asking price and negotiate to a middle ground. In malls, department stores, and chain restaurants, prices are fixed. Don't bargain there.
Numbers are essential for prices and bargaining. Show the number on your phone's calculator app for clarity — a universal hack that works everywhere in China.
Emergency & Practical Phrases
救命！Jiù mìng!Help!
我不会说中文Wǒ bù huì shuō Zhōng wénI don't speak Chinese
你会说英文吗？Nǐ huì shuō Yīng wén ma?Do you speak English?
厕所Cè suǒToilet / Restroom
医院Yī yuànHospital
警察Jǐng cháPolice
我丢了护照Wǒ diū le hù zhàoI lost my passport
Numbers to Call
110 — Police
119 — Fire
120 — Ambulance
12308 — Global consular hotline (for foreigners needing embassy help)
Best translation apps:Google Translate (camera mode for signs and menus), Pleco (best Chinese-English dictionary, works offline), and Baidu Translate (best for Chinese→English, works in China without VPN). Download offline language packs before your trip.