Hello.
你好。
A friendly greeting for shops, hotels and a first conversation.
YOUR POCKET CHINESE SURVIVAL KIT
A few words.
A warmer welcome.
A few words can turn an unfamiliar moment into a friendly one. Start with hello and thank you, then keep these short Mandarin phrases handy for meals, directions and everyday help. You can also show the Chinese text when speaking feels difficult.
你好nǐ hǎo
A hello is a very good place to start.
Listen uses your device’s available Mandarin voice. If none is installed, use the pinyin or Show card. The downloaded kit works without a connection.
42 phrases for everyday travel
Essentials
A hello, a thank you, and a little help with the conversation.
Thank you.
谢谢。
Useful almost everywhere. The second syllable is light.
Excuse me, may I ask…?
请问……
Put this before a question when asking a stranger for help.
Sorry.
对不起。
For an apology. Use 请问 to politely begin a question.
I do not speak Chinese.
我不会说中文。
Show this with a translation app if you need more than a short phrase.
Could you speak a little more slowly?
请说慢一点。
A polite request if you can understand a little Mandarin.
Please say that again.
请再说一遍。
Useful when you missed an answer or a number.
Getting around
Find the right place, show an address and ask your way.
How do I get to this place?
请问，去这里怎么走？
Point to the place on your map or show its Chinese name.
Where is the restroom?
请问，洗手间在哪里？
洗手间 is a common polite word for a restroom.
Where is the metro station?
请问，地铁站在哪里？
Show the station name if you need a particular one.
Please take me to this address.
请带我去这个地址。
In a taxi, show the driver the full Chinese address, including the hotel or building name.
Please stop here.
请在这里停车。
Ask the driver to stop only where stopping is permitted and safe.
Which exit should I take?
请问，我应该走哪个出口？
Show your destination. Large stations can have several distant exits.
I am lost.
我迷路了。
Follow this by showing where you want to go.
Food & drink
Order something good and explain what you need.
May I see the menu?
请给我看一下菜单。
The menu may be printed or opened through a QR code.
I would like this one.
我要这个。
Point to a menu item or picture. Confirm the number of portions separately.
Please do not add chilli.
请不要放辣椒。
Some dishes already contain chilli or cannot be changed. Confirm with the staff.
I am vegetarian. Does this contain meat or meat stock?
我吃素。这里面有肉或者肉汤吗？
Ask about ingredients and any other foods you avoid; a vegetable dish may include meat stock.
I am allergic to peanuts.
我对花生过敏。
This phrase specifically means peanuts. For other allergies, bring a checked translation of your own requirements and confirm ingredients with the staff.
Please give me a bottle of water.
请给我一瓶水。
一瓶 means one bottle. Point to the bottle if you want a particular type.
The bill, please.
请买单。
Use this when you are ready to pay at a restaurant.
Shopping & payment
Ask a price, check payment options and finish a purchase.
How much is this?
这个多少钱？
Point to the item. You can ask the seller to show the number on a calculator.
Can I pay with Alipay?
可以用支付宝吗？
支付宝 is the Chinese name for Alipay.
Can I pay with WeChat Pay?
可以用微信支付吗？
Merchant support does not guarantee that every linked international card will work.
Can I pay by bank card?
可以刷银行卡吗？
Show your physical card so the merchant can check its network.
I would like to pay in cash.
我想付现金。
Have renminbi ready, ideally including smaller notes.
Please give me a receipt.
请给我一张收据。
收据 means a receipt. A formal tax invoice is called 发票 (fāpiào) and is a different request.
No, thank you. I do not need it.
不用了，谢谢。
A simple, polite way to decline an offer.
Hotel & connection
Check in, get connected and make your stay easier.
I have a reservation.
我有预订。
Show your booking confirmation and the name used to book.
Here is my passport.
这是我的护照。
Useful at hotel check-in or a staffed ticket counter.
What is the Wi-Fi password?
请问，无线网络密码是什么？
You can also say “Wi-Fi” in place of 无线网络 or show this card.
Can I leave my luggage here?
可以在这里寄存行李吗？
Confirm the collection time and whether there is a charge.
There is a problem with my room.
我的房间有问题。
Show a photo or use a translation app to describe the specific problem.
What time is check-out?
请问，几点退房？
Confirm this at check-in if you have onward travel.
There is no hot water.
没有热水。
At the front desk, show your room number with this phrase.
Help
Clear phrases to show someone when you need assistance.
Please help me.
请帮帮我。
A general request for help. Explain or show what has happened.
I need to see a doctor.
我需要看医生。
Show this to hotel staff or someone who can help you communicate.
Please call an ambulance for me.
请帮我叫救护车。
A request for urgent assistance. Show your location or address as well.
Please help me contact the police.
请帮我联系警察。
Point out your location and use a translator to explain the situation.
I have lost my passport.
我的护照丢了。
Use this when asking staff or the police for help. Keep a separate copy of your document details for reference.
Please call this number for me.
请帮我打这个电话。
Show the phone number you want the person to call.
Where is the nearest hospital?
请问，最近的医院在哪里？
Ask the person helping you to point out the hospital and its Chinese name.
Try a simpler word.
Search “food”, “help” or “station”, or choose All phrases.
Say a little. Show it if you need to.
Pinyin uses the Latin alphabet to represent Mandarin sounds. It is not English spelling, so use the audio as a starting point rather than reading every letter as English.
Mandarin has four main tones and a light neutral tone. The marks above vowels show the tone; a syllable without a mark is neutral in this guide.
We show dictionary, or citation, tones. In natural speech some tones change in context: for example, nǐ hǎo usually begins with a rising tone. Listen to the whole phrase.
Say one phrase at a time. Point to the destination, item or address when useful, and show the large Chinese card if the conversation gets stuck.
Pronunciation references: The Open University: Mandarin tones and pinyin ↗ · Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University: welcome guide and survival Chinese ↗