China, a country with a great expanse of ancient history (up to nearly five-thousand years’ worth) is filled with both abundant beautiful landscapes where you can embrace nature and urban cities where you can enjoy a unique Asian culture experience.
When you first visit an unfamiliar country, there will be uncertainties and difficulties regarding the culture and language barriers, but this will all be a piece of cake once you learn Chinese travel phrases with us! Now let ChineseClass101.com set your mind on mastering these Chinese phrases for tourists, for your future trip to China! And keep in mind that for more basic Chinese words and pronunciation for tourists, you can check out our vocabulary lists on our website!
Table of Contents
- Basic Expressions
- Transports
- Shopping
- Restaurants
- Asking for and Giving Directions
- Emergencies
- Flattery Phrases
- Useful Phrases to Go Through Language Problems
- Conclusion
1. Basic Expressions
While in China, it’s important to uphold good manners and to know how to greet others. Thus, you should learn Mandarin Chinese travel phrases regarding this. Take a look at this list of useful Chinese travel phrases to help you make a good impression!
1- Manners
- In Chinese: 谢谢你。
Pinyin: Xiè xiè nǐ.
In English: Thank you. - In Chinese: 打扰一下。
Pinyin: Dǎ rǎo yī xià.
In English: Excuse me. - In Chinese: 抱歉/对不起。
Pinyin: Bào qiàn /duì bù qǐ.
In English: Sorry.
2- Greetings
- In Chinese: 你好。
Pinyin: Nǐ hǎo.
In English: Hello. - In Chinese: 再见。
Pinyin: Zài jiàn.
In English: Goodbye. - In Chinese: 你最近怎么样？
Pinyin: Nǐ zuì jìn zěn me yàng?
In English: How are you?
3- Others
- In Chinese: 是的。
Pinyin: Shì de.
In English: Yes. - In Chinese: 不是。
Pinyin: Bú shì.
In English: No. - In Chinese: 我喜欢这个。
Pinyin: Wǒ xǐ huān zhè gè.
In English: I like it. - In Chinese: 我不喜欢这个。
Pinyin: Wǒ bù xǐ huān zhè gè.
In English: I don’t like it. - In Chinese: 太好了。
Pinyin: Tài hǎole.
In English: Great. - In Chinese: 能麻烦您帮我照个相吗？
Pinyin: Néng má fán nín bāng wǒ zhào gè xiàng ma?
In English: Could you please take my picture?
2. Transports
Of course, you’ll need to have some mode of transportation to get around the country. That’s why we’ve prepared this list of useful Chinese travel phrases for transportation!
1- Phrases for Taking a Taxi:
- In Chinese: 请问您可以载我去[地点]吗？
Pinyin: Qǐng wèn nín kě yǐ zài wǒ qù [dì diǎn] ma?
In English: Can you take me to [location] please? - In Chinese: 请问去[地点]要多少钱？
Pinyin: Qǐng wèn qù [dì diǎn] yào duō shǎo qián?
In English: How much is it to go to [location]?
2- Phrases for Taking a Bus:
- In Chinese: 我应该在哪站下车？
Pinyin: Wǒ yīng gāi zài nǎ zhàn xià chē?
In English: Where should I get off? - In Chinese: 我想去[地点]。
Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng qù [dì diǎn].
In English: I want to go to [location]. - In Chinese: 请在到站的时候告诉我一声。
Pinyin: Qǐng zài dào zhàn de shí hòu gào sù wǒ yī shēng.
In English: Please tell me when we arrive. - In Chinese: 请问这趟车去往[地点]吗？
Pinyin: Qǐng wèn zhè tàng chē qù wǎng [dì diǎn] ma?
In English: Does this bus go to [location]?
3- Phrases for Taking a Train:
- In Chinese: 我想买一张去[地点]的票。
Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī zhāng qù [dì diǎn] de piào.
In English: Can I get one ticket to [location]? - In Chinese: 火车终点站到了。
Pinyin: Huǒ chē zhōng diǎn zhàn dào le.
In English: It is the final stop for the train.
3. Shopping
You can use your cards to pay in many stores in China.
Our list of travel phrases in the Chinese language extends out to shopping phrases, because we know you’ll want to grab a souvenir or two! With these Mandarin Chinese travel words and phrases, you’ll be able to shop, barter, and bring home your bounty of Chinese goods!
- In Chinese: 这个要多少钱？
Pinyin: Zhè gè yào duō shǎo qián?
In English: How much does it cost? - In Chinese: 能给我个优惠吗？
Pinyin: Néng gěi wǒ gè yōu huì ma?
In English: Can I get a discount? - In Chinese: 便宜一点吧。
Pinyin: Pián yí yī diǎn ba.
In English: Make it cheaper.Additional notes: There are many small shops in China that allow you to bargain. Many products are usually offered initially at 200% of the original price; if this happens, don’t hesitate to use this phrase to bargain.
- In Chinese: 这里的实时汇率是多少呢？
Pinyin: Zhè lǐ de shí shí huì lǜ shì duō shǎo ne?
In English: What is the currency here? - In Chinese: 我可以用信用卡吗？
Pinyin: Wǒ kě yǐ yòng xìn yòng kǎ ma?
In English: Can I use a credit card?
4. Restaurants
From ordering your food to letting your server know how many people are in your group, Chinese travel phrases for restaurants will come in handy time and time again! Here are travel phrases in Chinese characters (with English translations, of course) to help you enjoy your meal to the fullest!
Go to a nice restaurant and enjoy some local food!
- In Chinese: 我想要这个。
Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng yào zhège.
In English: Can I get this, please? - In Chinese: 我是一名素食者/我是一名纯素食者。
Pinyin: Wǒ shì yī míng sù shí zhě/wǒ shì yī míng chúnsù shí zhě.
In English: I am a vegetarian/vegan. - In Chinese: 请问可以结一下帐吗？
Pinyin: Qǐng wèn kě yǐ jié yī xià zhàng ma?
In English: Can I get the bill please? - In Chinese: 我们一共[数字] 个人。
Pinyin: Wǒ men yī gòng [shù zì] gè rén.
In English: We have [number] people. - In Chinese: 服务生/小姐！
Pinyin: Fú wù shēng/xiǎo jiě!
In English: Waiter/waitress! - In Chinese: 这个太好吃了。
Pinyin: Zhè gè tài hǎo chī le.
In English: It’s delicious. - In Chinese: 你有什么推荐的吗？
Pinyin: Nǐ yǒu shén me tuī jiàn de ma?
In English: Do you have any recommendations?
5. Asking for and Giving Directions
A list of Chinese phrases for travellers, of course, necessitates a section for directions! We don’t want you getting lost while exploring China (or heading to your business meeting). Study and practice this list of Chinese travel phrases and words to keep yourself on the right track and headed in the right direction!
1- A List of General Locations
- 酒店 (jiǔ diàn) — hotel
- 餐厅 (cān tīng) — restaurant
- 公园 (gōng yuán) — park
- 地铁站 (dì tiě zhàn) — subway station
- 公交车站 (gōng jiāo chē zhàn) — bus stop
- 洗手间 (xǐ shǒu jiān) — restroom
- 房间 (fáng jiān) — room
- 图书馆 (tú shū guǎn) — library
- 失物认领处 (shī wù rèn lǐng chù) — lost and found
2- Basic Phrases for Directions
- In Chinese: [地点]在哪里？
Pinyin: [dì diǎn] zài nǎ lǐ?
In English: Where is [location]? - In Chinese: 请问去[地点]应该怎么走？
Pinyin: Qǐng wèn qù [dì diǎn] yīng gāi zěn me zǒu?
In English: How can I get to [location]? - In Chinese: 往左拐。
Pinyin: Wǎng zuǒ guǎi.
In English: Turn left. - In Chinese: 往右拐。
Pinyin: Wǎng yòu guǎi.
In English: Turn right. - In Chinese: 直走。
Pinyin: Zhí zǒu.
In English: Go straight.
Additional notes: Workers in most big hotels in China are well-trained and speak English fluently, so don’t worry about check-in and check-out at your hotel.
6. Emergencies
If there’s an emergency, stay calm and find help!
Emergencies are rarely expected, especially when you’re on vacation or taking a trip to your dream country. But it’s important to be prepared in case you do find yourself in an emergency situation. Study and practice these basic Chinese travel phrases for emergencies in order to stay safe and be prepared!
- In Chinese: 救命啊！
Pinyin: Jiù mìng a!
In English: Help! - In Chinese: 我护照/钱包丢了，请问你有没有看见过？
Pinyin: Wǒ hù zhào /qián bāo diū le, qǐng wèn nǐ yǒu méi yǒu kàn jiàn guò?
In English: I lost my passport/wallet, did you see it? - In Chinese: 有医生吗？
Pinyin: Yǒu yī shēng ma?
In English: Is there a doctor? - In Chinese: 请问你可以帮我一下吗？
Pinyin: Qǐng wèn nǐ kě yǐ bāng wǒ yī xià ma?
In English: Can you please help me?
Additional notes: Please remember that the ambulance number in China is 120 and the police number is 110, just in case there’s an emergency in need of those numbers. If so, you should call them immediately.
7. Flattery Phrases
Aside from the more common Chinese travel phrases, it’ll be good to know some flattery phrases to let your new Chinese friends or associates know that you appreciate them (and love their country!). Take a look:
Don’t hesitate to give the people who once helped you a big thumbs-up 🙂
- In Chinese: 中国人真友好。
Pinyin: Zhōng guó rén zhēn yǒu hǎo.
In English: Chinese people are so nice. - In Chinese: 中国文化可真有意思。
Pinyin: Zhōng guó wén huà kě zhēn yǒu yì sī.
In English: Chinese culture is so interesting. - In Chinese: 中国真是一个美丽的国家啊。
Pinyin: Zhōng guó zhēn shì yī gè měi lì de guó jiā a.
In English: China is such a beautiful country. - In Chinese: 中国美食实在是太好吃了。
Pinyin: Zhōng guó měi shí shí zài shì tài hǎo chī le.
In English: Chinese food tastes delicious. - In Chinese: 我们可以成为好朋友吗？
Pinyin: Wǒ men kě yǐ chéng wéi hǎo péng yǒu ma?
In English: Can we become good friends?
8. Useful Phrases to Go Through Language Problems
Our list of travel words in Chinese to English is sure to help you out as you navigate our beautiful country. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be a few bumps in the road. Check out this list of helpful words and phrases for overcoming language barriers during your visit!
- In Chinese: 请问你会说英语吗？
Pinyin: Qǐng wèn nǐ huì shuō yīng yǔ ma?
In English: Can you speak English? - In Chinese: 我不明白你什么意思，可以麻烦你再说一遍吗？
Pinyin: Wǒ bù míng bái nǐ shén me yì sī, kě yǐ má fán nǐ zài shuō yī biàn ma?
In English: I don’t understand, can you repeat? - In Chinese: 可以麻烦您帮我写下来吗？
Pinyin: Kě yǐ má fán nín bāng wǒ xiě xià lái ma?
In English: Can you write it down for me please? - In Chinese: 抱歉，我的中文不是很好，可以麻烦你慢点说吗？
Pinyin: Bào qiàn, wǒ de zhōng wén bú shì hěn hǎo, kě yǐ má fán nǐ màn diǎn shuō ma?
In English: Sorry, I’m not good at Chinese, can you speak slowly? - In Chinese: 请问您这个的中文怎么表达？
Pinyin: Qǐng wèn nín zhè gè de zhōng wén zěn me biǎo dá?
In English: How do you say it in Chinese?
9. Conclusion
Through this guide for traveling phrases, we hope you’ve successfully boosted your confidence in planning your future trip. Knowing these Chinese to English travel phrases is sure to help you out in a pinch, and will allow you to fully enjoy your China experience!
If you wish to be even more prepared and knowledgeable for your visit to China, you’ll find everything you need here for wonderful Chinese culture and language lessons at ChineseClass101.com!
