Essential Chinese Phrases for Travelers

Introduction

Knowing some basic Chinese phrases will greatly enhance your travel experience in China. Locals appreciate the effort, and it can help in many situations.

Greetings and Politeness

• ??? (N? h?o): Hello
• ??? (Xi?xi?): Thank you
• ?????(Du?buq?): Sorry/Excuse me
• ??(Q?ng): Please
• ??? (Z?iji?n): Goodbye

Basic Communication

• ???????????N? hu? shu? y?ngy? ma?): Do you speak English?
• ??????????W? b? d?ng zh?ngw?n.): I don’t understand Chinese.
• ??????????Q?ng z?i shu? y?bi?n.): Please say that again.
• ????????(Zh? sh? sh?nme?): What is this?
• ??????(Du?sh?o qi?n?): How much?

Directions

• ???…??????(Q?ngw?n… z?i n?l??): Excuse me, where is…?
• ?????(Xi?ng zu? zhu?n): Turn left
• ?????(Xi?ng y?u zhu?n): Turn right
• ??? (Zh? z?u): Go straight
• ???????????D?ti? zh?n z?i n?l??): Where is the subway station?

Food and Dining

• ???… (W? y?o…): I want…
• ?????????(Zh?ge du?sh?o qi?n?): How much is this?
• ??? (H?och?): Delicious
• ????????W? b? ch? l?.): I don’t eat spicy food.
• ??? (M?id?n): Check please

Transportation

• ??..??????(Q?… du?sh?o qi?n?): How much to go to…?
• ???????Q?ng t?ngch?.): Please stop here.
• ??????????W? y?o q? j?ch?ng.): I want to go to the airport.
• ???????????Hu?ch? j? di?n ch?f??): What time does the train depart?

Emergency

• ?????Ji?m?ng!): Help!
• ??? (B?oj?ng): Call police (110)
• ?????(Ji?h?ch?): Ambulance (120)
• ????????W? m?l? le.): I’m lost.
• ???????????W? de h?zh?o di? le.): I lost my passport.

Useful Tips

• Translation Apps: Google Translate, iTranslate, or Baidu Translate.
• Write It Down: Write Chinese characters on paper to show locals.
• Body Language: Hand gestures and pointing can help.

Last Updated: July 2026

Note: Pronunciation can vary by region. Using a translation app is highly recommended.