Essential Chinese phrases
The phrases you'll actually use — for saying hello, ordering food, shopping, getting around, and asking for help. Tap 🔊 to hear each one.
👋 Greetings & basics
你好
Nǐ hǎo
Hello
谢谢
Xièxie
Thank you
不客气
Bú kèqi
You're welcome
对不起
Duìbuqǐ
Sorry
没关系
Méi guānxi
It's okay / no problem
再见
Zàijiàn
Goodbye
是
Shì
Yes / it is
不是
Bú shì
No / it isn't
🗣️ Getting by
我不懂
Wǒ bù dǒng
I don't understand
你会说英语吗？
Nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma?
Do you speak English?
请再说一遍
Qǐng zài shuō yí biàn
Please say that again
请慢一点
Qǐng màn yìdiǎn
Please speak slower
这个用中文怎么说？
Zhège yòng Zhōngwén zěnme shuō?
How do you say this in Chinese?
🍜 Eating out
我要这个
Wǒ yào zhège
I'd like this one
菜单
Càidān
Menu
好吃
Hǎochī
Delicious
我吃素
Wǒ chī sù
I'm vegetarian
不要辣
Bú yào là
Not spicy, please
买单
Mǎidān
The bill, please
干杯！
Gānbēi!
Cheers!
🛍️ Shopping
多少钱？
Duōshao qián?
How much is it?
太贵了
Tài guì le
Too expensive
便宜一点
Piányi yìdiǎn
A bit cheaper, please
我可以刷卡吗？
Wǒ kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?
Can I pay by card?
我只是看看
Wǒ zhǐshì kànkan
I'm just looking
🧭 Getting around
…在哪里？
… zài nǎlǐ?
Where is …?
洗手间在哪里？
Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the toilet?
我要去这里
Wǒ yào qù zhèlǐ
I want to go here (show a map)
地铁站
Dìtiě zhàn
Subway station
多远？
Duō yuǎn?
How far?
🆘 Emergencies
救命！
Jiùmìng!
Help!
我需要医生
Wǒ xūyào yīshēng
I need a doctor
叫警察
Jiào jǐngchá
Call the police
我迷路了
Wǒ mílù le
I'm lost