Start learning Chinese today with a 7-

day free trial

Get Started Now!

Blog

121 Common
Chinese Phrases To
Survive Your First
Conversation With
A Native Speaker
by Olly Richards

Are you learning Chinese online?

And maybe planning a travel

adventure to China?

Or do you want to be able to speak to

Chinese people in your local
community?

Even a little bit of Chinese will go a

long way! Besides practical
communication, learning some
Chinese can make a big difference to
your ability to make meaningful
connections and experience Chinese
culture.

Many of these common Chinese

phrases are expressions I wish I’d
learned much earlier. They're
everyday phrases that you’ll hear in
real life but might not find in any
textbook.

If you already have some familiarity

with Mandarin Chinese Pinyin and
tones, you can go ahead and skip
right to the phrases.

Otherwise, you’ll find some very

useful info in the next section, so
keep reading below! In either case, by
the time you've finished this post,
you'll have all the expressions you
need to chat to a native Chinese
person for the first time.

Pro Tip

By the way, if you want to learn

Chinese fast and have fun, my
top recommendation is Chinese
Uncovered which teaches you
through StoryLearning®.

With Chinese Uncovered you’ll

use my unique StoryLearning®
method to learn Chinese through
story… not rules.

It’s as fun as it is effective.

If you’re ready to get

started, click here for a 7-day
FREE trial.

What Do You Need To

Know About Chinese
Pronunciation?

First, what do you need to know

about Chinese pronunciation? For
each phrase in this article, you’ll see
there are a few parts.

Here’s the first phrase as an example:

你好！Nǐhǎo! – Hello!
(Nee how)

Let’s break that down.

First, you have the written form:

the Chinese characters
characters. 你好！
Can’t read Chinese yet? No
problem! Next to the characters,
you’ll see a pronunciation guide.
This is written according to a
standardised system called
Pinyin. That’s the Nǐhǎo part.
Next, you have the English
translation, plus any usage tips
you might need to know.
Finally, you’ll see a rough
pronunciation guide based on
English sounds – here it’s (Nee
how). It’ll help if you want the
basics super quick – however, it’s
very approximate!

Many sounds in Chinese, particularly

consonants, have no exact equivalent
in English. That’s why Pinyin exists
– to give a reliable pronunciation
guide for learners.

I highly recommend familiarising

yourself with Pinyin and the Chinese
sounds it represents. It’ll help you so
much in sounding more like a native
speaker, and is essential if you want
to progress past the basics.

Check out this table to listen to the

sound of any word in Pinyin.

What Are Chinese

Tones?

You may have noticed some

markings on the vowel sounds in the
Pinyin example above: Nǐhǎo.These
represent the “tone” of each syllable.

Spoken Chinese is a tonal language.

This means that changes in your

voice pitch while pronouncing a
vowel sound form part of the
meaning of a word. So, even if two
words sound exactly the same except
for the tone, a different tone = a
different meaning.

There are 5 (-ish) tones in Mandarin

– 4 main tones plus a de-emphasized
“neutral” tone.

The tone markings in Pinyin visually

represent the pitch contour that your
voice makes when pronouncing the
vowel. Here are the tones and how
they are written:

1st tone = flat tone mā (or ma1)

2nd tone = rising tone má (or
ma2)
3rd tone = falling-rising tone mǎ
(or ma3)
4th tone = falling tone mà (or
ma4)
5th tone = neutral tone ma (or
ma5 or ma0)

Check out this post for more info

on how to master Chinese tones.

Let's Get Talking

Chinese
Ok, now that we’ve covered the
pronunciation basics – let’s get
talking!

Here are the categories of phrases

that you will learn below:

Greetings & small talk

Getting to know you
Being polite
“I don’t understand!”
Asking for directions
Transport in China
Eating out
Shopping
Numbers
Solving problems
Special occasions
Saying goodbye

Common Chinese
Phrases To Greet People

The backbone of social interactions –

we all need greetings to start off a
conversation right!

#1 你好！
你好！N Nǐhhǎoo – Hello!
(Nee haow)
#2 你好吗？
你好吗？N Nǐhhǎoo ma? – How
are you?
(Nee haow ma)
#3 很好 H Hěěn h
hǎoo – Good
(Hun haow)
#4 还好 Hái h hǎoo – Pretty good
(Hi haow)
#5 不太好 Bù tài h hǎoo – Not so
good
(Boo tye haow)
#6 早上好 Z Zǎoshang
oshang h hǎoo – Good
morning
(Dzow shung haow)
#7 晚上好 W Wǎnshang
nshang h hǎoo–
Good evening
(Wun shung haow)
#8 晚安 W Wǎn’
n’āān – Good night
(Wun-un)

Common Chinese
Phrases For Getting To
Know People

If you’re visiting China, you’ll

generally find people are very
friendly and not shy about asking
questions! Here are some basics to
help you connect with people you
meet.

Pronunciation note: in this guide, the

“or” sound represents the vowel
sound in the English word “or,” but
without an audible “r” sound at the
end. In other words, the way it
typically sounds in a British accent,
rather than an American one.

If in doubt, check the Pinyin and go

have a listen!

#9 你叫什么名字？
你叫什么名字？N Nǐ jiào
shénme míngzi? – What’s your
name? (Informal)
(Nee jyaow shun muh ming
dzrr)
#10 我叫我叫__ __ WWǒ jiào__ – My
name is…
(Wor jyaow..)
#11 您贵姓？
您贵姓？Nín Nín guìxìng? –
What is your surname? (Formal)
(Neen gway shing)
#12 我姓我姓__ __ W Wǒ xìng__ – My
surname is…
(Wor shing)
#13 你多⼤？
你多⼤？N Nǐ du
duōōdà? – How
old are you?
(Nee dwor da)
#14 我三⼗岁 W Wǒ ssā
ānshí suì –
I’m thirty (years old)
(Wor sun shrr sway)
#15 你来⾃哪⾥？
你来⾃哪⾥？N Nǐ láizì nnǎli?
li?
– Where do you come from?
(Nee lye dzrr na lee)
#16 我来⾃中国 W Wǒ láizì
zh
zhō ōngguó – I come from China
(Wor lye dzrr jong gwor)
#17 你是哪国⼈？
你是哪国⼈？– –N Nǐ shì nnǎ
guó rén? – Which country are
you from?
(Nee shrr na gwor run)
#18 我是中国⼈ W Wǒ shì
zh
zhō ōngguó rén – I’m Chinese
(literally, “I’m a Chinese person”)
(Wor shrr jong gwor run)
#19 我是外国⼈ W Wǒ shì wàiguó
rén – I’m a foreigner
(Wor shrr wye gwor run)
#20 ⽼外 L Lǎowài
owài – Foreigner (a
common slang term!)
(Laow wye)
#21 很⾼兴认识你 H Hěěn ggā
āoxìng
rènshi n nǐ – Nice to meet you
(Hun gaow shing run shrr
nee)

Pro Tip

You usually use this last phrase

when saying goodbye to
someone after meeting them for
the first time, rather than
immediately after being
introduced.

If you’re visiting China, your home

country is quite likely to come up in
conversation – find the Chinese
name of your country here!

Common Chinese
Phrases For Being Polite

As humans, we’re generally out to

make a good impression – here’s
some help on that front!

Even if you don’t have much

vocabulary yet, these words are
bound to help your conversations go
more smoothly.

#22 谢谢！ Xièxiè! – Thank

you!
(Shyeah shyeah)
(Pronunciation tip: the “x”
sound in Chinese is really
somewhere in between “s”
and “sh” in English.)
#23 ⾮常感谢！ F Fēēicháng
g ǎnxiè!
nxiè! – Thank you so much!
(Fay chung gun shyeah)
#24 不⽤谢 Bù yòng xiè –
You’re welcome (literally, “no
need for thanks”)
(Boo yong shyeah)
#25 不客⽓ Bù kèqì – You’re
welcome (literally, “no need to be
so polite”)
(Boo kuh chee)
#26 不好意思 Bù h hǎoyìsi
oyìsi –
Excuse me, sorry (To get
attention, for getting past, for
mild apologies)
(Boo haow yee srr)
#27 对不起 Duìbuq
Duìbuqǐ – Sorry (A
more emphatic apology)
(Dway boo chee)
#28 请问请问…?…? QQǐngwèn…?
ngwèn…? – Could
I ask…? (A polite way to preface a
question)
(Cheeng wun)
#29 麻烦你了
麻烦你了M Mǎfan
fan n
nǐ le –
Sorry to bother you
(Ma fun nee luh)
#30 没问题 Méi wèntí – No
problem
(May wun tee)
#31 好的！
好的！H Hǎoo de! – OK!
(Haow duh)

Common Chinese
Phrases To Say: “I Don’t
Understand!”

Ever been in a situation where you

were listening to a native speaker
and just kept nodding and smiling,
when really had no idea what they
were saying?

Here’s how to avoid that. The

simplest way to get people to help
you understand is to ask them!

#32
#32（你）听得懂吗？
（你）听得懂吗？(N (Nǐ))
t ī ngded
ngdedǒngng ma? – Do you
understand?
(Nee teeng duh dong ma)
#33
#33（我）听得懂
（我）听得懂 (W (Wǒ))
t ī ngded
ngdedǒngng – I understand
(Wor teeng duh dong)
#34
#34（我）听不懂！
（我）听不懂！(W (Wǒ))
t ī ngbud
ngbudǒngng – I don’t
understand!
(Wor teeng boo dong)
#35
#35（你）会说中⽂吗？
（你）会说中⽂吗？(N (Nǐ)) huì
shu
shuō ō zh
zhōōngwén ma? – Do you
speak Chinese?
(Nee hway shwor jong wun
ma)
#36
#36（你）会说英⽂吗？
（你）会说英⽂吗？(N (Nǐ)) huì
shu
shuō ōyyīīngwén ma – Do you
speak English?
(Nee hway shwor yeeng wun
ma)
#37
#37（我）不会说中⽂
（我）不会说中⽂ (W (Wǒ)) bù
huì shu
shuō ō zh
zhōōngwén – I don’t
speak Chinese
(Wor boo hway shwor jong
wun)
#38
#38（我）会说
（我）会说 (W (Wǒ)) huì shushuōō–
Yes, I can speak it
(Wor hway shwor)
#39 可以说得慢⼀点吗？
可以说得慢⼀点吗？K Kě y ǐ
shu
shuō ō de màn y yīīdi
diǎnn ma? –
Could you speak more slowly?
(Kuh yee shwor duh mun
yee dyen ma)
#40 __ 什么意思？
什么意思？__ __ shénme
yìsi? – What does __ mean?
(__shun muh yee srr)
#41 ____怎么说？
怎么说？__z __zěěnme shu shuōō?
– How do you say __?
(__dzun muh shwor)
#42 （我）不知道 (W (Wǒ)) bù
zh
zhīīdao – I don’t know
(Wor boo jrr daow)

Common Chinese
Phrases For Asking For
Directions

Sometimes asking the locals is still

the best way to find something!

We’re so used to relying on map apps

these days. But it pays to have some
useful phrases up your sleeve. This is
especially the case since Google
services don’t work in mainland
China.

Check out local alternative Baidu

Maps for your navigation needs. Or
better yet, keep reading for tips on
navigating the old-fashioned way.

#43 不好意思，可以问个路玛
不好意思，可以问个路玛??
Bù h hǎoyìsi,
oyìsi, kkěěy ǐ wèn ge lù
ma? – Excuse me, could I ask for
some directions?
(Boo haow yee srr, kuh yee
wun guh loo ma)
#44 到 __ __怎么⾛？
怎么⾛？Dào Dào ___
z ě nme zzǒu?u? – How do you get to
the __?
(Daow __ dzun muh dzoh)
#45 ____在哪⼉？
在哪⼉？// __ __在哪⾥？
在哪⾥？
__zài n nǎr?/__
r?/__ zài n nǎli
li – Where
is the __?
(__dzye narr/__dzye na lee)
(Pro tip: the first variant, with
an “r’’ sound, is more
common in Beijing and
northern China, while you’ll
hear more of the second
variant further south.)
#46 ____在那⼉
在那⼉/__ /__在那⾥
在那⾥ __zài
nàr/__zài nàl nàlǐ – The __ is over
there.
( ____ zay naar / _____ zay
naa-lee)

Pro tip
tip: Tones are important here!
Check out the above two examples:

1. 哪⼉nǎr means “Where?”

2. while 那⼉ nàr means “there!”

#47 在这⼉
在这⼉//在这⾥ Zài zhèr/Zài
zhèl
zhèlǐ – It’s here.
(Dzye jurr/Dzye juh lee)
#48 直⾛ Zhí zzǒu u – Go straight
ahead
(jrr dzoh)
#49 右转 Yòu zhu zhuǎn n – Turn
right
(Yoh jwun)
#50 左转 Zu Zuǒ zhu
zhuǎn n – Turn left
(Dzwor jwun)
#51 过⻢路 Guò m mǎlù
lù – Cross
the road
(Gwor ma loo)
#52 我要去
我要去__ __ W
Wǒ yào qù__ – I
want to go to __ (Also good for
directing a taxi or buying a
ticket)
(Wor yaow choo)

Common Chinese
Phrases To Talk About
Transport

Most larger Chinese cities are very

well connected with public transport
of all kinds – though rush hour can
get pretty crowded! There’s an
extensive intercity train network, too.

#53 ⼀张到北京的票 Y Yīī zh

zhāāng
dào B Běěij
ijīīng de piào – One
ticket to Beijing
(Yee jung daow bay jeeng
duh pyaow)
#54 两张票 Li Liǎng
ng zhzhāāng piào –
Two tickets
(Lyung jung pyaow)
#55 来回 Lái huí –
Return/round-trip
(Lye hway)
#56 单程 D Dāān chéng – One-way
(Dun chung)
#57 机场 J Jīīch
chǎng
ng – Airport
(Jee chung)
#58 ⽕⻋站 Hu Huǒchchēēzhàn –
Train station
(Hwor chuh jun)
#59 地铁站 Dìti Dìtiěězhàn –
Metro/subway/underground
station
(Dee tyeah jun)
#60 公交⻋站 G Gōōngji
ngjiāāoch
ochēēzhàn
– Bus stop/station
(Gong jyaow chuh jun)
#61 出租⻋ Ch Chūūz ū ch
chēē – Taxi
(Choo dzoo chuh)

Common Chinese
Phrases For Eating Out

China has an incredibly rich and

varied food culture.

Every region has its own cuisine,

from the lighter, sweeter flavours of
the south to the heavier, savoury
sauces of the north.

Food-related vocabulary could be a

whole post on its own, so let’s stick to
some practical basics!

#62 ⼏位？ ⼏位？J Jǐwèi?

wèi? – How many
people?
(Jee way)
#63 ⼀位 Y Yīīwèi – One person
(i.e. “a table for one”)
(Yee way)
#64 两位 Li Liǎngwèi
ngwèi – Two
people
(Lyung way)
#65 我想看⼀下菜单 W Wǒ xi xiǎng
ng
kàn y yīīxià càid
càidāān – I’d like to
look at the menu
(Wor shyung kun yee shyah
tsay dun)
#66 点菜 点菜Di Diǎn
n cài – (I’m/we’re)
ready to order
(Dyen tsye)
#67 我要 我要… …WWǒ yào… – I’ll have…
(Wor yaow)
#68 服务员！ Fúwùyuán! –
服务员！Fúwùyuán!
Waiter!
(Foo woo yoo-an)
#69 买单！ 买单！M Mǎididā
ān! – The bill,
please!
(Mye dun)

Pro Tip

In informal eateries in mainland

China, short, efficient phrases
like those above are the norm
and are not considered impolite.
In many places, diners simply
call out fúwùyuán! to get the
server’s attention.

Common Chinese
Phrases For Shopping

Shopping at Chinese markets can be

a very lively experience, and
haggling for a bargain is par for the
course in markets and most small
shops (not chain stores).

Ready to brush up your bargaining

skills?

#70 这个 Zhège – This one

(Jay guh)
#71 那个 Nàge – That one
(Nay guh)
#72 我要这个 W Wǒyào
yào zhège –
I’ll take this one
(Wor yaow jay guh)
#73 我（不）喜欢那个 W Wǒ (bù)
x ǐhuan
huan nàge – I (don’t) like that
one
(Wor boo shee hwun nay
guh)
#74 多少钱？多少钱？Du Duō ōshao qián? –
How much is it?
(Dwor shaow chyen)
#75 太贵了！太贵了！Tài Tài guì le! – Too
expensive!
(Tye gway luh)
#76 便宜⼀点⼉！
便宜⼀点⼉！Piányi Piányi
y ī di
diǎnr!
nr! – A bit cheaper! (To ask
for a better price)
(Pyen yee yee dyerr)
#77 可以刷卡吗？
可以刷卡吗？K Kě y ǐ shu
shuāāk ǎ
ma? – Can I use a card?
(Kuh-yee shak-a ma?)
#78 不要了 不要了!! Bù yào le! – I don’t
want it! (To stop someone
hassling you to buy something)
(Bu-YA-o-luh)
#79 我看⼀下 W Wǒ kàn y yīīxià –
I’m just looking
(Wor kun yee shyah)

Common Chinese
Phrases: Numbers

Chinese numbers are very logical.

See if you can spot the patterns from
the following list:

#80 零 / 〇 Líng – Zero

(Leeng)
#81 ⼀ YYīī – 1
(Yee)
#82 ⼆ Èr – 2
(Arr)
#83 三 S Sāān – 3
(Sun)
#84 四 Sì – 4
(Srr)
#85 五 W Wǔ – 5
(Woo)
#86 六 Liù – 6
(Lyoh)
#87 七 Q Qīī – 7
(Chee)
#88 ⼋ B Bāā–8
(Ba)
#89 九 JiJiǔ – 9
(Jyoh)
#90 ⼗ Shí – 10
(Shrr)
#91 ⼗⼀ ShíyShíyīī – 11
(Shrr yee)
#92 ⼗⼆ Shí’èr – 12
(Shrr arr)
#93 ⼆⼗ Èrshí – 20
(Arr shrr)
#94 ⼆⼗⼀ ÈrshíyÈrshíyīī – 21
(Arr shrr yee)
#95 三⼗ S Sāānshí – 30
(Sun shrr)
#96 ⼀百 Y Yīīb ǎii – 100
(Yee bye)
#97 ⼆百
⼆百//两百 Èrb Èrbǎi/Li
i/Liǎngb
ngbǎii –
200
(Arr bye/Lyung bye)
#98 五百 W Wǔb bǎii – 500
(Woo bye)
#99 六百零五 Liùb Liùbǎilíngw
ilíngwǔ –
605
(Lyoh bye leeng woo)
#100 七百五（⼗）
七百五（⼗）Q Qī b ǎiw
iwǔ(shí)
(shí)
– 750 (The “shí” is usually
dropped)
(Chee bye woo shrr)
#101 ⼋百⼀⼗五 B Bāāb ǎiy
iyīīshíw
shíwǔ
– 815
(Ba bye yee shrr wu)
#102 九百⼋⼗七 Ji Jiǔbbǎib
ibāāshíq
shíqīī
– 987
(Ju-bai ba-shi-ti)
#103 ⼀千 Y Yīīqi
qiā ān – 1000
(Yee chyen)

More On Chinese Numbers

For more detail on the rules and a

complete list of Chinese numbers
from 0–1000, check out this article.

Bonus fact: In Chinese culture, the

number 8, ⼋ (bā), is considered lucky,
as it sounds a bit like the character 发
(fā) meaning “to prosper” or “become
wealthy”.

People are often willing to pay big

bucks to get phone numbers,
apartment numbers or car license
plates with a lot of number 8s in
them!

The number 4, 四 (sì), on the other

hand, is considered unlucky, as it
sounds similar to the word for
“death,” 死 (sǐ) – another excellent
example of why tones are important!

Common Chinese
Phrases For Solving
Problems

Speaking of bad luck, every traveller

knows that things go wrong from
time to time.

It pays to be prepared – supplement

your best-laid plans with these
contingency phrases.

#104 可以帮个忙吗？
可以帮个忙吗？K Kě y ǐ b
bāāng
ge máng ma? – Could you help
me?
(Kuh yee bung guh mung
ma)
#105 我迷路了
我迷路了W Wǒ mílù le – I’m
lost
(Wor mee loo luh)
#106 我的钱包丢了 W Wǒ de
qiánb
qiánbā āo di
diū
ū le – My wallet is
lost/missing
(Wor duh chyen baow dyoh
luh)
#107 我要去医院 W Wǒ yào qù
y ī yuàn – I need to go to the
hospital
(Wor yaow choo yee yoo-an)
#108 我⽣病了 W Wǒ sh
shēēngbìng
le – I’m sick
(Wor shung beeng luh)
#109 我受伤了 W Wǒ shòush
shòushā āng
le – I’m hurt/injured
(Wor shoh shung luh)
#110 这⾥疼 Zhèl Zhèlǐ téng – It
hurts here
(Juh lee tung)

Pro Tip

Most doctors in China operate

out of hospitals rather than
private clinics. So you can head
to a hospital for a regular
doctor’s visit as well as in
emergencies.

Common Chinese
Phrases For Special
Occasions

China has a rich traditional culture

featuring many of its own festivals
and celebrations, the most famous
being Spring Festival or Chinese New
Year.

Many Chinese people, at least in

urban areas, also celebrate or at least
give a passing nod to festivals from
elsewhere, such as New Year (as in
December 31st), Christmas and
Valentine’s Day.

#111 恭喜恭喜！
恭喜恭喜！G Gō ngx
ngxǐ g gō
ōngx
ngxǐ!!
– Congratulations!
(Gong shee gong shee)
#112 ⽣⽇快乐！
⽣⽇快乐！Sh Shēēngri
kuàilè! – Happy Birthday!
(Shung ruh kwye luh)
#113 ⼲杯！
⼲杯！G Gā nb
nbēēi! – Cheers!
(Literally, “dry cup!”)
(Gun bay)
#114 新年快乐！
新年快乐！X Xī nnián
kuàilè! – Happy New Year! (For
both Chinese New Year and the
other one)
(Shin nyen kwye luh)
#115 恭喜发财！
恭喜发财！G Gō ngx
ngxǐ ffā
ācái! –
May you be prosperous! (A
traditional greeting at Chinese
New Year)
(Gong shee fa tsye)
#116 祝你好运！
祝你好运！Zhùn Zhùnǐ h hǎoyùn!
oyùn!
– Good luck!
(Joo nee haow yoo-un)

Common Chinese
Phrases For Saying
Goodbye

No one likes goodbyes – but there

comes a time when we all must say
them. Luckily, the word for “goodbye”
in Chinese literally means “see you
again!”

#117 再⻅！ Zàijiàn! – Goodbye!

(Dzye jyen)
#118 明天⻅！ MíngtiMíngtiā ān jiàn! –
See you tomorrow!
(Meeng tyen jyen)
#119 下次⻅！ Xiàcì jiàn! – See
you next time!
(Shyah tsrr jyen)
#120 拜拜！
拜拜！B Bǎib
ibǎi!
i! – Bye!
(Bye bye)
#121 ⼀路平安！
⼀路平安！Y Yī lù píng’
píng’āān! –
Safe travels!
(Yee loo peeng un)

Sound Like A Native,

Not A Chinese Textbook

There you have it – your all-purpose

guide to phrases that will help you
through your first conversations in
Mandarin.

From finding a bathroom to making a

friend, these words and phrases will
help you navigate life in Chinese, and
not sound like a textbook while you
do it.

As the oft-quoted Lao Zi once said,

“the journey of a thousand miles
begins with a single step.” These
phrases will give you a solid stepping
stone to start your own Chinese
journey. ⼀路平安！
 Join 84,574 other
language learners getting
StoryLearning tips by
email…

“After I started to use your ideas,

I learn better, for longer, with
more passion. Thanks for the
life-change!” – Dallas Nesbit

Yes Please Send Me The Tips

No I Don't Need Them

Chinese Tips by
Email?
Get my best fluency-boosting, grammar-
busting Chinese tips by email.

(All levels. Road tested in real life.)

YES PLEASE!

< BACK TO BLOG

LANGUAGE COURSES

Spanish Korean

French Turkish

Italian Portuguese

German Latin

Japanese Danish

Chinese Norwegian

Russian Swedish

RESOURCES MORE

Language Blog Meet Our Team

Podcast LOVE

Testimonials Media & Press

Affiliates

Contact

COPYRIGHT © 2023 · OLLY RICHARDS PUBLISHING LTD. TERMS OF

SERVICE & PRIVACY POLICY