To break the language barrier is the first and foremost thing when travelling in China, especially when you are backpacking in China. Despite the fact that Chinese kids are learning English from primary school onwards, it is still a barrier that most overseas travelers may come across. Therefore, you’re encouraged to bring with a Chinese Phrasebook or learn a few words and phrases in advance.
Here we offer you some of the most commonly used Chinese words and phrases, with simplified Chinese characters, pinyin (pronunciation), and the English translation.
Tips for First-time Travelers to China
Chinese | Pinyin | English |
你好 | Nǐ hǎo | Hello/Hi |
你好吗? | Nǐ hǎo ma? | How are you? |
是 | shì | Yes |
不是 | bù shì | No |
好 | hǎo | Good/ok |
不好 | bù hǎo | not good |
谢谢 | xiè xie | thank you |
不客气 | bù kè qì | You are welcome |
对不起 | Duì bù qǐ | I'm sorry |
没关系 | Méi guan xi | It's okay. (polite response to "I'm sorry") |
请 | Qǐng | Please |
请问 | qǐng wèn | Excuse me |
早上好 | zǎo shàng hǎo | Good morning |
下午好 | xià wǔ hǎo | Good afternoon |
晚上好 | Wǎn shàng hǎo | Good evening |
晚安 | Wǎn 'ān | Good night |
很高兴认识你 | Hěn gāo xìng rèn shì nǐ | Nice to meet you |
再见 | Zài jiàn | Goodbye/ Bye-bye |
你叫什么名字? | Nǐ jiào shén me míng zi? | What is your name? |
我叫… | Wǒ jiào … | My name is… |
我不会讲中文 | Wǒ bú huì jiáng zhōng wén | I can't speak Chinese |
你会说英语吗? | Nǐ huì shuō Yīng yǔ ma? | Do you speak English? |
我听不懂 | Wǒ tīng bù dǒng | I don't understand |
这是什么? | zhè shì shén me? | What is this? |
这是… | zhè shì… | This is ... |
我想要… | Wǒ xiǎng yào… | I want… |
我不想要… | Wǒ bù xiǎng yào… | I don’t want… |
多少钱 | duō shǎo qián | How much is it? |
几点钟 | Jǐ diǎn zhōng | What's the time? |
我喜欢… | Wǒ Xǐ huān… | I like... |
我不喜欢… | Wǒ bù Xǐ huān… | I don't like ... |
对 | duì | Right/correct |
不对 | bù duì | Wrong/incorrect |
When You Need Help | ||
洗手间在那里 | Xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ li? | Where is the bathroom/toilet? |
我饿了 | Wǒ è le | I'm hungry |
我渴了 | Wǒ kè le | I'm thirsty |
我累了 | Wǒ lèi le | I'm tired |
我迷路了 | wǒ mí lù le | I'm lost |
请帮助我 | Qǐng bāng zhù wǒ | Please help me |
我生病了 | wǒ sheng bìng le | I'm sick |
我受伤了 | wǒ shòu shāng le | I've been injured |
我需要医生 | wǒ xū yào yīshēng | I need a doctor |
我可以用您的电话吗? | wǒ kě yǐ yòng nín de dian huà ma? | Can I use your phone? |
Numbers in Chinese | ||
0 | líng |
|
1 | yī | One |
2 | èr | Two |
3 | sān | Three |
4 | sì | Four |
5 | wǔ | Five |
6 | liù | Six |
7 | qī | Seven |
8 | bā | Eight |
9 | jiǔ | Nine |
10 | shí | Ten |
100 | yībǎi | One hundred |
1000 | Yī qiān | One thousand |