This is especially for those who are enrolling in non-language degrees and courses taught in English. Especially if you’re worried about coming to study in China and not knowing a word of Chinese. Don’t’ sweat, with the number of international students choosing China as their study destination increasing each year, we have partnered with our friends Instant Mandarin to provide some useful Chinese phrases for living and traveling around China. So if you’re prepared are carrying a little pocket guide of Chinese phrases then you may have seen some of these phrases before and it would be handy a handy recap, if not, get your pen and make some notes. Let’s get learning! 

Bù hǎo yìsi, wǒ tīng bù dǒng

不好意思，我听不懂

I’m sorry, I don’t understand

As a first time traveler or a frequent traveler to China, there is no doubt that there will be things you won’t understand. If someone says something to you in Chinese and you have no idea what they are saying, then you can use this phrase. Many Chinese will be understanding. However, if you do try to speak more of their language, locals will be positively surprised, very appreciative and will encourage you to speak more.

Zhè ge duōshǎo qián?

这个多少钱？

How much is this?

As a tourist or expat in China, of course, you will want to flutter some money on some souvenirs. It is absolutely inevitable that you will be spending money on your travels whether for luxury items or the bare necessities. If you want to know how much something is then this question is a must.

Wǒ yào…

我要…

I want…

Once you have settled on something you want to buy or something you want to do then you can use these two words + what you want or want to do – to express yourself. For example 我要蛋糕(I want cake) and 我要喝水 (I want to drink water).

Qǐng wèn, nǐ kěyǐ bāng wǒ ma

请问，你可以帮我吗

Excuse me, can you help me?

Do not be afraid to ask for help. Chinese people are some of the friendliest, especially if they see a foreign face. They will almost always be willing to assist you. If you need a little help then you can utter these useful words.

Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎ lǐ

洗手间在哪里？

Where is the bathroom/washroom/toilet

The first time you land in the city or enter a building at some point you might need to identify the location of the toilets. Well, the toilet is important, especially if you’re in a completely foreign place. Sure, sometimes you can spot the ‘male’ and ‘female’ signs but what happens if you can’t or you’re on the street and you need to go. You can use this handy little sentence here. It will save you.

Wǒ xiǎng qù…

我想去…

I want to go…

Do you know where you want to go but don’t know how to get there or are you having a friendly chat with a local and want to reveal the places you’d like to go. Either way you can use this phrase + the place you want to go to e.g. 我想去地铁站(I want to go to the metro station) and 我想去上海(I want to go to Shanghai).

Mǎi dān, xiè xie

买单，谢谢

Pay the bill, thank you!

You’ve tasted some of the culinary delights of China and filled your belly till your heart’s content. You’ve had a few sips of Oolong Chinese tea and allowed your tummy to settle. It’s time to pay the bill and continue on your journey. What do you do next? Wave your hand to catch the waiter’s attention and shout fúwùyuán (waiter), then you can ask for the bill.

Jiè guò yíxià

借过一下!

Please excuse me

China is a place with a famously large population. The chances are if you are traveling to China during peak tourist season, you will find yourself in the middle of a crowd sometime. During rush hour, you can get on the metro, and a block of people are between you and the door but don’t worry, you can take a deep breath. How do you get out, the polite way would be to say this – ‘please excuse me’.

Zhè lǐ yǒu WiFi ma?…WiFi mìmǎ shì shénme?

这里有WiFi吗?… WiFi密码是什么

Is there WiFi here?… What is the WiFi password?

Where would we be without our phones? Around the world, you see people glued to their screens and in China, it’s no different. We know it’s difficult to separate yourself from your phone. Especially going to a different country, it keeps you connected with home. It is definitely worth thinking about getting a local sim card to avoid expensive charges. However, you can also avoid using too much data by looking for local WiFi hotspots, in bars and restaurants.

Děng yíxià

等一下!

Wait a moment/hang on a sec

Waiting for a street vendor to cook some street food or waiting in line for a table at a busy restaurant? You will hear this sentence in many situations where you have to wait a certain amount of time. Of course, you can also use it yourself if you’re the one making someone wait 

Huānyíng guānglín

欢迎光临!

Welcome!

Walk into a 7-Eleven or a Family Mart, or most shops and stores in China and it is likely you will hear the above phrase ringing in your ears. After a few times, you won’t be able to get it out of your head. It is just a friendly welcome, no need to reply but a polite thank you would do nicely.

Nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ ma?

你会说英语吗？

Can you speak English? 

When I first landed in China, the first 3 months I was here, I don’t know how many times I used this sentence but I can tell you it was a lot. But this was just damn right lazy of me and very bad. It kind of inhibited me from learning Chinese and improving it. But the thing is, not everyone can speak English in China, so it’s best to start learning Chinese, even a little. It is so rewarding. It will help you fit in with the locals and wouldn’t it be great to be bilingual or multilingual.

So here are our must-know phrases for traveling in China. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did writing it. To finish we have one top tip for you.

Piányí  yìdiǎn

便宜一点!

Make it cheaper 

When in China do as the Chinese do. If you’re walking down a street market or in a small boutique shop and something catches your sight but the price is an eyesore. Try to indulge in some haggling, you never know you just might be able to drive the price a little lower.

So, this is our gift to all international students in China. We hope you enjoyed the quick Mandarin lesson with our useful Chinese phrases. Let us know!