Chinese Phrases for Tourists — Greetings, Shopping, Food, Directions & Emergencies
Complete Chinese phrases guide for tourists: greetings, numbers & shopping, ordering food, asking directions, emergencies. With Chinese characters, pinyin, and English translation for foreign travelers.
Learning some basic Chinese phrases will make your trip to China much easier and more enjoyable. This guide covers the most useful travel phrases with Chinese characters, pinyin, and English translations.
👋 Greetings
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 你好 | nǐ hǎo | Hello |
| 谢谢 | xiè xie | Thank you |
| 对不起 | duì bu qǐ | Sorry |
| 没关系 | méi guān xi | It's okay / No problem |
| 请 | qǐng | Please |
| 再见 | zài jiàn | Goodbye |
| 你好吗？ | nǐ hǎo ma? | How are you? |
| 我很好 | wǒ hěn hǎo | I'm fine |
| 你会说英语吗？ | nǐ huì shuō yīng yǔ ma? | Do you speak English? |
| 我不懂中文 | wǒ bù dǒng zhōng wén | I don't understand Chinese |
🛍️ Numbers & Shopping
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 多少钱？ | duō shǎo qián? | How much? |
| 太贵了 | tài guì le | It's too expensive |
| 便宜一点 | pián yi yì diǎn | A little cheaper |
| 我要这个 | wǒ yào zhè ge | I want this one |
| 不要 | bù yào | Don't want |
| 可以刷卡吗？ | kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma? | Can I pay by card? |
| 有收据吗？ | yǒu shōu jù ma? | Is there a receipt? |
| 一、二、三、四、五 | yī, èr, sān, sì, wǔ | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| 六、七、八、九、十 | liù, qī, bā, jiǔ, shí | 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| 百、千、万 | bǎi, qiān, wàn | 100, 1000, 10000 |
🍜 Ordering Food
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 菜单 | cài dān | Menu |
| 买单 | mǎi dān | Bill please |
| 我要... | wǒ yào... | I want... |
| 不要辣 | bù yào là | No spicy |
| 好吃 | hǎo chī | Delicious |
| 洗手间在哪里？ | xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ? | Where is the restroom? |
| 水 | shuǐ | Water |
| 啤酒 | pí jiǔ | Beer |
| 茶 | chá | Tea |
| 米饭 | mǐ fàn | Rice |
🗺️ Asking Directions
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 在哪里？ | zài nǎ lǐ? | Where is it? |
| 地铁站 | dì tiě zhàn | Subway station |
| 请告诉我怎么走 | qǐng gào su wǒ zěn me zǒu | Please tell me how to get there |
| 左转 | zuǒ zhuǎn | Turn left |
| 右转 | yòu zhuǎn | Turn right |
| 直走 | zhí zǒu | Go straight |
| 近吗？ | jìn ma? | Is it near? |
| 远吗？ | yuǎn ma? | Is it far? |
| 多少钱的出租车？ | duō shǎo qián de chū zū chē? | How much for a taxi? |
| 请带我去这里 | qǐng dài wǒ qù zhè lǐ | Please take me here |
🚨 Emergencies
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 救命！ | jiù mìng! | Help! |
| 医院 | yī yuàn | Hospital |
| 警察 | jǐng chá | Police |
| 我迷路了 | wǒ mí lù le | I'm lost |
| 我的钱包被偷了 | wǒ de qián bāo bèi tōu le | My wallet was stolen |
| 请叫救护车 | qǐng jiào jiù hù chē | Please call an ambulance |
| 我不舒服 | wǒ bù shū fu | I'm not feeling well |
| 过敏 | guò mǐn | Allergy |
| 我的护照丢了 | wǒ de hù zhào diū le | My passport is lost |
| 中国大使馆 | zhōng guó dà shǐ guǎn | Chinese Embassy |
💡 Practical Tips
- • Download translation apps: Google Translate, Baidu Translate support voice and photo translation.
- • Learn numbers: The Chinese number system is regular and easy to master 1-10.
- • Use gestures: Combine gestures and pictures to help communicate.
- • Our guides all speak English and can provide full translation assistance.
- • Print this page and carry it with you for emergencies.
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Our guides speak English and can provide full translation assistance throughout your trip.
