Must-Know Chinese Phrases for Everyday Life in China

Embarking on a journey to China? Whether you are studying, travelling or moving there, understanding a few essential Chinese phrases can make your life a lot easier and enriching. Here, we have compiled essential Chinese phrases that are must-know for everyday life in China.

Greetings and General Conversation:

1. Nǐ Hǎo (你好) - Hello: This simple greeting is the first phrase that anyone learning Chinese should know.
2. Zǎo Shàng Hǎo (早上好) - Good morning: Start your day by greeting locals in the morning with this phrase.
3. Nǐ Hǎo Ma? (你好吗) - How are you?: This is a great conversation starter and shows you are interested in the other person.
4. Wǒ Jiào... (我叫...) - My name is...: The perfect way to introduce yourself to new people.

Food and Dining:

1. Wǒ E Le (我饿了) - I'm hungry: Let's face it, you will need this quite often in China given the delicious food available.
2. Wǒ Yào... (我要...) - I want...: A useful sentence when ordering food in a restaurant.
3. Měi Wèn Tí (没问题) - No problem: Use this phrase when you want to indicate that everything is okay with what you ordered.
4. Mài Dān (买单) - Bill, please: It’s time to pay and this phrase would be quite handy.

Travel and Directions:

1. Qǐng Wèn... (请问…) - Excuse me, can I ask...: This is the perfect way to start when you need directions.
2. Wǒ Yào Qù... (我要去…) - I want to go to...: After asking directions, use this phrase to tell where you would like to go.
3. Zhèlǐ Zài Nǎ'er? (这里在哪儿?) - Where am I here?: This will help you in case you lose your way.
4. Chūzū Chē (出租车) - Taxi: Essential when you need a ride.

Emergency Phrases:

1. Bāngzhù (帮助) - Help: This is an important phrase to know in any foreign language.
2. Wǒ Bù Shūfú (我不舒服) - I'm not feeling well: If you feel sick this phrase will come in handy.
3. Jǐngchá (警察) - Police: A critical word to know in case of any emergencies.

Basic Greetings & Politeness

• Hello – 你好 (Nǐ hǎo)

• Good morning – 早上好 (Zǎoshang hǎo)

• Good evening – 晚上好 (Wǎnshàng hǎo)

• Goodbye – 再见 (Zàijiàn)

• Thank you – 谢谢 (Xièxiè)

• You’re welcome – 不客气 (Bù kèqì)

• Sorry / Excuse me – 对不起 (Duìbùqǐ)

• No problem – 没问题 (Méi wèntí)

Asking for Help & Directions

• Can you help me? – 你能帮我吗？(Nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma?)

• I don’t understand – 我听不懂 (Wǒ tīng bù dǒng)

• Do you speak English? – 你会说英语吗？(Nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ ma?)

• Where is the bathroom? – 洗手间在哪里？(Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?)

• How do I get to [place]? – 怎么去 [place]？(Zěnme qù [place]?)

• Left – 左边 (Zuǒbiān)

• Right – 右边 (Yòubiān)

• Straight ahead – 直走 (Zhí zǒu)

Shopping & Money

• How much is this? – 这个多少钱？(Zhège duōshǎo qián?)

• Too expensive! – 太贵了！(Tài guì le!)

• Can you give me a discount? – 可以便宜一点吗？(Kěyǐ piányí yīdiǎn ma?)

• I want this one – 我要这个 (Wǒ yào zhège)

• I don’t want it – 我不要 (Wǒ bú yào)

• Do you accept WeChat Pay/Alipay? – 你接受微信支付/支付宝吗？(Nǐ jiēshòu Wēixìn zhīfù / Zhīfùbǎo ma?)

Ordering Food

• I want to order food – 我要点餐 (Wǒ yào diǎn cān)

• No spice, please – 不要辣 (Bù yào là)

• A little spicy – 一点辣 (Yīdiǎn là)

• I’m allergic to [ingredient] – 我对 [ingredient] 过敏 (Wǒ duì [ingredient] guòmǐn)

• Can I have the menu? – 可以给我菜单吗？(Kěyǐ gěi wǒ càidān ma?)

• Check, please – 买单 (Mǎidān)

Transportation

• Where is the subway station? – 地铁站在哪里？(Dìtiě zhàn zài nǎlǐ?)

• I want to go to [destination] – 我要去 [destination] (Wǒ yào qù [destination])

• How much is the fare? – 票价是多少？(Piàojià shì duōshǎo?)

• Can you call a taxi for me? – 你可以帮我叫出租车吗？(Nǐ kěyǐ bāng wǒ jiào chūzūchē ma?)

Emergencies

• Help! – 帮帮我！(Bāng bāng wǒ!)

• Call the police! – 报警！(Bàojǐng!)

• I need a doctor – 我需要医生 (Wǒ xūyào yīshēng)

• Where is the hospital? – 医院在哪里？(Yīyuàn zài nǎlǐ?)

• I lost my passport – 我的护照丢了 (Wǒ de hùzhào diūle)

Social & Small Talk

• What’s your name? – 你叫什么名字？(Nǐ jiào shénme míngzì?)

• Nice to meet you – 很高兴认识你 (Hěn gāoxìng rènshì nǐ)

• Where are you from? – 你来自哪里？(Nǐ láizì nǎlǐ?)

• I am from [country] – 我来自 [country] (Wǒ láizì [country])

• How long have you been in China? – 你在中国多久了？(Nǐ zài Zhōngguó duōjiǔ le?)

Bonus Phrases

• It’s delicious! – 很好吃！(Hěn hǎochī!)

• I’m just looking, thanks – 我只是看看，谢谢 (Wǒ zhǐshì kàn kàn, xièxiè)

• I like China! – 我喜欢中国！(Wǒ xǐhuān Zhōngguó!)

• I need internet/WiFi – 我需要网络/WiFi (Wǒ xūyào wǎngluò / WiFi)

• Where can I exchange money? – 哪里可以换钱？(Nǎlǐ kěyǐ huànqián?)

Final Tip:

If you don’t understand something, just say “你可以慢一点吗？” (Nǐ kěyǐ màn yīdiǎn ma?) – Can you speak more slowly?

In conclusion, learning the basics of any language allows you to interact and connect with the local community. These phrases are not exhaustive, but they can undeniably help you navigate everyday life in China. Happy learning!