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Chinese for Travel – Essential Vocab for Travelling in China

Chinese for travel – you must know these for travelling china.

So no matter what your Chinese level is, if you are working or studying in China , you will definitely end up doing some travelling in China too.

Regardless where you go – be it to the place where the Great Wall of China meets the sea or perhaps the beautiful province of Yunnan – you will need some basic travel vocabulary to help you over any hurdles you might encounter.

But don’t worry, we’ve prepared some essential Chinese for Travel vocabulary to help you along…

And please, don’t be scared! Firstly, travel is a great way to practice the language, meet new people, learn new vocabulary, and gain amazing experience!

And another thing, don’t let your level of Chinese (or lack of it) stop you from travelling in China.

It is such a beautiful country and there are so many amazing things to see . Once you start discovering, you will fall in love with it even more.

Let’s get started with some basic travel vocabulary. In this blog we will talk about all the vocabulary connected with travelling by train and plane.

Chinese for Travel – Tickets Chinese for Travel – Trains Chinese for Travel – Flights Chinese for Travel – FAQ’s

Chinese for Travel – Buying Tickets

I would like to buy a ticket. 我要买一张票. (Wǒ yào mǎi yì zhāng piào) I would like to book a one-way ticket. 我想订张单程票. (Wǒ xiǎng dìng zhāng dānchéng piào.) I would like to book a return ticket. 我想订张往返票. (Wǒ xiǎng dìng wǎngfǎn piào) How much is a ticket to… ? 一张到…的票多少钱? (Yī zhāng dào… de piào duōshǎo qián?)

Other important information you’ll  need to know is your departure date (出发日期; chūfā rìqī) and return date (返回日期; fǎnhuí rìqī ). Departure station (出发站; chūfā zhàn ) and the arrival station (到达站; dàodá zhàn ) are also very important.

Top Tip: make sure to buy your tickets in advance, especially before the major Chinese national holidays , because they tend to sell out fast!

China Travel Tips – 20 China Hacks You Must Know

20 China Travel Hacks to Make Your Time in China Super Smooth Need some China travel tips, tricks, and hacks to help get by in China? If you’re new around here these China hacks are about to become very helpful!…

Chinese for Travel – Train s

If you want to know more about train travel in China, check out our guides to China’s High-Speed Rail and  Chinese sleeper trains .

When you are buying your ticket, make sure you know the words for hard sleeper (硬卧; yìng wò) and the soft sleeper (软卧; ruǎn wò) tickets.

We definitely strongly recommend sleeper beds for longer journeys.

There’s no big difference between a soft and hard sleeper bed where beds are concerned, except that the soft one is a bit more spacious, and of course more expensive.

So if budget is an issue, you can buy your ticket for the hard sleeper bed .

Note: When you buy the sleeper ticket, you can get either the upper (上铺; shàng pù), middle (中铺; zhōng pù) or lower berth (下铺; xià pù).

There are also the soft seat (软座; ruănzuò), the hard seat (硬座; yìng zuò) and the standing ticket (无座; wú zuò) options.

Some other phrases you might find useful are:

• take the train 坐火车 (zuò huǒchē)
• fast train 高铁 (gāotiě)

Useful sentences for train travel

Where is the train station? 火车站在哪儿? (Huǒchēzhàn zàinǎr?) When does the train leave? 火车几点出发? (Huǒchē jǐdiǎn chūfā?) When does the train arrive? 火车几点到? (Huǒchē jǐdiǎn dào?) The train is running late. 火车晚点了. (Huǒchē wǎndiǎn le.) Where are the ticket machines? 售票机在哪里? (Shòupiàojī zài nǎlǐ?)

Chinese for Travel – Flight s

Before your flight, you will need to buy your plane ticket (飞机票; fēijī piào), be it one-way (单程票; dānchéng piào) or return (往返票; wǎngfǎn piào). Once you get to the airport (飞机场; fēijī chǎng) and check-in your luggage (托运行李; tuōyùn xínglǐ), the staff will give you the boarding pass (登机牌, dēngjīpái).

Some other words that you will find very useful are:

Useful Sentences for Plane Travel in Chinese:

I’d prefer a window seat. 最好是靠窗户的座位 (Zuì hǎo shì kào chuānghu de zuòwei.) When does the flight depart? 航班几点起飞? (Hángbān jǐdiǎn qǐfēi?) When does the flight arrive? 航班几点到? (Hángbān jǐdiǎn dào?) When are we going to land? 我们什么时候降落? (Wǒmen shénme shíhòu jiàngluò?)

After all that vocabulary, we hope you’re feeling a bit more prepared for your China travels.

If you want more… how about we help you discover the best ways to learn Mandarin online ? Check it out below

Related Articles:

China High-Speed Rail

Find out more about travelling via the high-speed train in China with our complete guide.

Day Trips From Beijing

Escape the city with our list of the five best day trips from Beijing!

How to Travel in China

What’s the best way to travel in China , is it by train, plane or something else? Check out this blog to see what will work best for you.

Chinese for Travel – FAQ’s

Travel in Chinese is 旅行 lǚxíng .

Passport in Chinese is 护照 hùzhào.

Yes sure you can but you may stumble across some difficulties at times depending on your luck with a ticket officer for example.

Generally people will not speak English but in cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing you may have more luck.

T hat said, this should not put you off travelling to China.

China’s trains are some of the world most efficient and effective. Quick, always on time and incredibly smooth.

You can travel huge distances in a fraction of the time you can in most countries.

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Chinese for Travel: 30 Useful Mandarin Phrases for Your Journey

Are you currently in or planning on traveling to China?

Then you’ve come to the right place.

This post will provide you with the most helpful travel phrases in Chinese to ensure a smooth 旅游 (lǚ yóu)  — trip.

Here are 30 useful phrases that you should know for your travels, or 旅行 (lǚ xíng) , when in China!

In the Airport

Taking a taxi, busses and trains, at the hotel, asking for directions, tips for using chinese travel phrases , and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

1. 登机手续柜台在哪里？

Pinyin: dēng jī shǒu xù guì tái zài nǎ li? English: Where is the check-in counter?

To name the specific check-in counter, add any of these words to the beginning of the phrase:

经济舱 (jīng jì cāng) — Economy Class 公务舱 (gōng wù cāng) — Business Class 头等舱 (tóu děng cāng) — First Class

2. __号登机口往哪边走 ？

Pinyin: __ hào dēng jī kŏu wăng nă biān zŏu? English: Which way is boarding gate number __?

3. 请帮我安排靠窗户的座位 。

Pinyin: qǐng bāng wǒ ān pái kào chuāng hù de zuò wèi. English: Please arrange a window seat for me.

4. 请帮我安排靠走廊的座位 。

Pinyin: qǐng bāng wǒ ān pái kào zŏu láng de zuò wèi. English:  Please arrange an aisle seat for me.

5. 我现在到起飞的时间还有多久 ？

Pinyin: wǒ xiàn zài dào qǐ fēi de shí jiān hái yǒu duō jiǔ? English:  How long do I have until departure time?

5. 的士站在哪儿 ？

Pinyin: di shì zhàn zài nǎ ér? English:  Where is the taxi stand?

Pinyin: nǐ qù nǎ ér? English: Where do you want to go?

7. 这儿 ， 知道吗 ？

Pinyin: zhè ér, zhī dào ma? English: Here. Do you know where that is?

Pinyin: zhī dào. English:  I know [where that is].

Pinyin: bù zhī dào. English:  I don’t know [where that is].

Pinyin: duō shǎo qián? English:  How much? 

Pinyin: zhè ér tíng chē. English:  You can stop here.

12. __号到这儿吗 ？

Pinyin: __ hào dào zhè ér ma? English:  Is this the stop for the __ route/line?

13. 谢谢你帮我 。

Pinyin: xiè xiè nǐ bāng wǒ. English:  Thank you for helping me.

14. 地铁站在哪儿 ？

Pinyin: dì tiě zhàn zài nǎ ér? English: Where is the subway station?

15 . 在哪里买票 ？

Pinyin: zài nǎ lǐ mǎi piào? English: Where can I buy a ticket?

16. 公交车站在哪儿 ？

Pinyin: gōng jiāo chē zhàn zài nǎ ér? English: Where is the bus stop?

Pinyin: jǐ zhàn? English: How many stops?

18. 需要转车吗 ？

Pinyin: xū yào zhuǎn chē ma? English: Do I have to transfer?

19. 我预订了两间___ 。

Pinyin: wǒ yù dìng le liǎng jiān ___. English: I have made a reservation for two ___ rooms.

You can obviously replace the number of rooms with however many you booked. To indicate the type of room, fill in the blank with one of the following:

标准房 (biāo zhǔn fáng) — Standard room 套房 (tào fáng) — Suite

20. 我想要___房 。

Pinyin: wǒ xiǎng yào ___ fáng. English: I want a ___ room.

To say the type of room you’d like, fill in the blank with:

单人 (dān rén) — Single room 双人 (shuāng rén) — Double room

21. 电梯在哪儿 ？

Pinyin: diàn tī zài nǎ ér? English: Where is the elevator?

22. 我们现在要退房了 。

Pinyin: wǒ men xiàn zài yào tuì fáng le. English: We’re going to check out now.

23. 去___怎么走 ？

Pinyin: qù ___ zěn me zǒu? English: How do I get to ___?

24. 下车的时候 ，___ 。

Pinyin: xià chē de shí hou, ___. English: When you get off, ___.

25. 出去的时候 ，___ 。

Pinyin: chū qù de shí hou, ___. English: When you exit, ___.

Pinyin: zǔo English: Left

Pinyin: yòu English: Right

Pinyin: huí qù English: Go back

Pinyin: yī zhī zǒu English: Go straight

30. 你看___的时候 ，___ 。

Pinyin: nǐ kàn ___ de shí hou, ___. English: When you see ___, ___.

• Pronunciation is way more important than grammar. If you’re concerned about how to structure your “How do I get there?” question, forget it. Pronouncing the name of the place you’re going to is enough to get you there. 
• Listen to how native speakers use these phrases. You can use FluentU to learn Chinese with hundreds of native Mandarin videos that will show you how natives actually speak. There are also plenty of learning tools to help you retain information.
• Complete sentences are often not necessary in conversation.
• Learn the names of a few landmarks that are close to where you’re staying. Banks, parks, intersections, restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, shopping malls, hotels and schools can all serve as points of identification.
• Ask the bus driver if they pass your destination before you get on the bus.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  Most people are happy to be of assistance. 
• Download an app or e-Book for travel phrases. This way you have a reference to help you out when you forget how to say something.
• Record the phrases as voice notes. Not only is this great for pronunciation practice, but it’s also extremely helpful as backup, in case the nerves get to you in the heat of the moment and cause you to say the phrases incorrectly.

Now you have all the Mandarin Chinese travel phrases you need to get around. Use them as much as you can and enjoy your trip!

If you want to continue learning Chinese with interactive and authentic Chinese content, then you'll love FluentU .

FluentU naturally eases you into learning Chinese language. Native Chinese content comes within reach, and you'll learn Chinese as it's spoken in real life.

FluentU has a wide range of contemporary videos—like dramas, TV shows, commercials and music videos.

FluentU App Browse Screen

FluentU brings these native Chinese videos within reach via interactive captions. You can tap on any word to instantly look it up. All words have carefully written definitions and examples that will help you understand how a word is used. Tap to add words you'd like to review to a vocab list.

Interactive Transcripts on FluentU

FluentU's Learn Mode turns every video into a language learning lesson. You can always swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you're learning.

FluentU Has Quizzes for Every Video

The best part is that FluentU always keeps track of your vocabulary. It customizes quizzes to focus on areas that need attention and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You have a 100% personalized experience.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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Travel in Chinese Speaking Countries: Essential Phrases and Tips To Know

If you’re studying abroad or traveling to a Chinese speaking country, it’s necessary to learn some essential Chinese words and phrases before going. While many of these places have English guides, if you really want to full immerse yourself in the culture, then knowing these phrases and tips will get you what you are looking for.

Most of these words and phrases are in Mandarin Chinese as it is the most widely known language. It will prevent you from getting lost, any social awkwardness, future misunderstandings, and build great new connections with people to make your trip more memorable. 

Know the Chinese character for travel: 旅

The character, 旅, is associated with term trip, travel, or to travel. Since many Chinese words are a combination of hanzi, many vocabulary that are associated with travel uses 旅 in them.

For example, 旅游 ( lǚ yóu ) can mean "travel" or "tourism" in English. So, it refers to the activity of traveling for leisure, exploration, and recreation purposes.

Another hanzi for travel—旅行 has the same character 旅 inside it, emphasizing the concept of journey and adventure.

If you want to learn more words in Chinese, try Pandanese ! With the power of spaced repetition and mnemonics, both will help you learn Chinese radicals , characters, and vocabulary. A gamification of Chinese flashcards to make learning Chinese fun. First 3 levels are free, so try it out for yourself!

Build up your Chinese vocabulary 📈 Customize your mnemonics, unlock new levels, and watch your Mandarin skills soar! Take the first step

36 most commonly used Chinese words and phrases to know before you travel to China

One of the best ways to prepare for your trip is to start with a few simple phrases widely used in China. By mastering these indispensable sentences, you can literally start a conversation with Chinese native speakers and even make friends with the locals during your stay! 

18 Chinese words and phrases for transportation

If you’re traveling independently instead of taking a tour, using public transport is a good way to get around. China’s public transportation is commonly inexpensive and convenient. Some is even extremely high-tech.

(FYI: Trains in China are amongst the most modern – and fastest – trains in the world.) 

However, if you decide to travel by public transportation, it’s a good idea to note down some words and phrases to avoid missing your departure time or entering the wrong entrance. 

9 handy Chinese sentences to know to make your trip easier: 

1. to reserve a ticket: 我想订票。.

Pinyin: wǒ xiǎng dìng piào.

Translation: I would like to reserve a ticket.

2. For a round-trip ticket: 我想买一张从 上海 到 北京 的往返机票。

Pinyin: wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī zhāng cóng shànghǎi dào běijīng de wǎngfǎn jīpiào.

Translate: I would like to buy a round-trip ticket from Beijing to Shanghai .

3. To buy a flight to a place:我想买一张去 纽约 的机票。

Pinyin: wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī zhāng qù niǔyuē de jīpiào.

Translation: I would like to buy a ticket to New York .

4. To book a timed-flight: 我想要晚上七点的航班。

Pinyin: wǒ xiǎng yào wǎnshàng qī diǎn de hángbān

Translation: I would like the 7 PM flight.

5. To confirm the right platform: 请问，这个平台合适吗？

Pinyin: qǐngwèn, zhège píngtái héshì ma?

Translation: Excuse me, is this the right platform?

6. To ask where to get off: 我应该在哪里下车？

Pinyin: wǒ yīnggāi zài nǎlǐ xià chē?

Translation: Where should I get off?

7. To ask when the transportation leave: 火车 几点出发？

Pinyin: huǒ chē jǐ diǎn chū fā?

Translation: What time does the train leave?

8. To ask when the transportation arrive: 火车 几点到达？

Pinyin: huǒ chē jǐ diǎn dào dá?

Translation: What time does the train arrive?

9. To ask where you are: 我们在哪里？

Pinyin: wǒ men zài nǎ lǐ?

Translation: Where are we?

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13 Chinese words and phrases for accommodation

These Chinese words and phrases help you communicate effectively when finding a hotel or getting the necessary information.   

42 Chinese words and phrases for restaurant

Knowing some restaurant and food-related vocabulary and phrases will definitely come in handy when ordering food in a restaurant in Chinese. We’ve listed the most common words and phrases to order regular food and vegetarian or vegan food, and even explain food allergies! 

6 tips when traveling in China 

1. bargain.

One great thing about Chinese culture is that haggling is normal and almost always part of the shopping experience. If you explore the nearby market stalls, you can always ask if the price can be lowered.

2. Know the 24H clock.

The Chinese commonly use the 24-hour clock to list the times of planes, trains, buses, and tours. For every hour after 12 PM, just add an hour. So 1 PM becomes 13, and 8 PM becomes 20.

3. Remember landmarks near you.

Try to remember the names of some landmarks close to where you’re staying. For example, you can rely on banks, parks, restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, shopping malls, hotels, and schools as points of identification.

4. Regroup if lost.

If you get lost and can’t handle all the directions you were given, we suggest you find a place to regroup. Many local and Western places in China, like Starbucks or McDonald’s, offer free WiFi. This can be useful if you’re using an online map app or if you need to contact a friend. 

5. Focus on pronunciation.

When you travel in China , listening and pronunciation are far more crucial than grammar. Don't worry about how to structure your "How do I get there?" question correctly! Just focus on listening closely and pronouncing the name of your destination accurately. Your efforts to listen and speak will make your interactions more meaningful and enjoyable.

6. Basic Chinese goes a long way.

Conversational Chinese is fairly simple because you don’t necessarily need to use complete sentences. For example, if a taxi driver asks you, “Is it okay if I take the highway?” you can reply “sure” instead of a textbook, “yes, you may take the highway.” Don’t worry too much about full sentences when trying to get around.

Frequently asked questions

Do i need travel insurance for china.

It is highly recommended to have travel insurance when visiting China. It will provide financial protection for an unexpected situations or emergencies including medical emergencies, trip cancellations or interruptions, lost luggage, flight delays, and more.

How do I insure my travel?

Research and compare different travel insurance policy plants from different providers that best suits your needs. After finding one, review and make the purchase. Be sure to keep the document safe if anything were to happen.

To conclude

Traveling in a Chinese-speaking country can be confusing if you can’t communicate in their language. However, a little preparation can go a long way. Just keep our travel in Chinese guide list in mind, and enjoy your Chinese experience to the fullest! 

About Pandanese Learn over 6,000 Hanzi with Pandanese’s Chinese characters flashcards with our easy mnemonic stories and SRS system to build your Chinese vocabulary. Open the dashboard

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100 Chinese Phrases for Travelers

你好! Nǐ hǎo! Hello!

谢谢! Xièxiè! Thank you!

对不起. Duìbùqǐ. Sorry.

请问… Qǐngwèn… Excuse me…

我不懂. Wǒ bù dǒng. I don’t understand.

请帮助我. Qǐng bāngzhù wǒ. Please help me.

请给我一杯水. Qǐng gěi wǒ yī bēi shuǐ. Please give me a glass of water.

在哪里? Zài nǎlǐ? Where is it?

请问去…怎么走? Qǐngwèn qù… zěnme zǒu? How do I get to…?

多少钱? Duōshǎo qián? How much does it cost?

请告诉我. Qǐng gàosù wǒ. Please tell me.

有没有… Yǒu méiyǒu… Do you have…?

我想买… Wǒ xiǎng mǎi… I would like to buy…

我要一张单程票. Wǒ yào yī zhāng dānchéng piào. I want a one-way ticket.

我要一张往返票. Wǒ yào yī zhāng wǎngfǎn piào. I want a round-trip ticket.

我要预订一个房间. Wǒ yào yùdìng yīgè fángjiān. I want to book a room.

请给我地图. Qǐng gěi wǒ dìtú. Please give me a map.

在左边. Zài zuǒbiān. On the left.

在右边. Zài yòubiān. On the right.

直走. Zhí zǒu. Go straight.

向左转. Xiàng zuǒ zhuǎn. Turn left.

向右转. Xiàng yòu zhuǎn. Turn right.

我需要医生. Wǒ xūyào yīshēng. I need a doctor.

这里是厕所吗? Zhèlǐ shì cèsuǒ ma? Is this the restroom?

我有食物过敏. Wǒ yǒu shíwù guòmǐn. I have a food allergy.

请给我一份菜单. Qǐng gěi wǒ yī fèn càidān. Please give me a menu.

我迷路了. Wǒ mílù le. I’m lost.

请带我去最近的银行. Qǐng dài wǒ qù zuìjìn de yínháng. Please take me to the nearest bank.

请问这里有免费Wi-Fi吗? Qǐngwèn zhèlǐ yǒu miǎnfèi Wi-Fi ma? Is there free Wi-Fi here?

这个多少钱? Zhège duōshǎo qián? How much does this cost?

这个可以便宜一点吗? Zhège kěyǐ piányí yīdiǎn ma? Can this be a little cheaper?

我要买纪念品. Wǒ yào mǎi jìniànpǐn. I want to buy souvenirs.

这个酒店有空房间吗? Zhège jiǔdiàn yǒu kòng fángjiān ma? Does this hotel have any vacancies?

我想租一辆车. Wǒ xiǎng zū yī liàng chē. I would like to rent a car.

我可以使用信用卡吗? Wǒ kěyǐ shǐyòng xìnyòngkǎ ma? Can I use a credit card?

我可以尝试一下吗? Wǒ kěyǐ chángshì yīxià ma? Can I try it?

请问这个地方有什么特别的景点? Qǐngwèn zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme tèbié de jǐngdiǎn? What are the special attractions in this place?

请给我一瓶水. Qǐng gěi wǒ yī píng shuǐ. Please give me a bottle of water.

这个地方有什么美食? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme měishí? What are the local delicacies in this place?

我可以试试这个吗? Wǒ kěyǐ shìshì zhège ma? Can I try this?

这个车站附近有好吃的餐厅吗? Zhège chēzhàn fùjìn yǒu hǎochī de cāntīng ma? Are there any good restaurants near this train station?

我可以用一下洗手间吗? Wǒ kěyǐ yòng yīxià xǐshǒujiān ma? Can I use the restroom?

请问这个公园几点开放? Qǐngwèn zhège gōngyuán jǐ diǎn kāifàng? What time does this park open?

请帮我叫一辆出租车. Qǐng bāng wǒ jiào yī liàng chūzūchē. Please help me call a taxi.

这个地方有什么购物中心吗? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme gòuwù zhōngxīn ma? Are there any shopping centers in this place?

我想换一些当地货币. Wǒ xiǎng huàn yīxiē dāngdì huòbì. I would like to exchange some local currency.

这个地方有什么推荐的酒吧? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme tuījiàn de jiǔbā? Are there any recommended bars in this place?

这个地方有什么著名的博物馆? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme zhùmíng de bówùguǎn? What are the famous museums in this place?

请问这里有免费旅游地图吗? Qǐngwèn zhèlǐ yǒu miǎnfèi lǚyóu dìtú ma? Do you have free tourist maps here?

请问这个景点有导游服务吗? Qǐngwèn zhège jǐngdiǎn yǒu dǎoyóu fúwù ma? Is there a guided tour service available for this attraction?

这个地方有什么夜生活? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme yèshēnghuó? What is the nightlife like in this place?

这个地方有什么适合家庭的活动? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme shìhé jiātíng de huódòng? What are some family-friendly activities in this place?

我可以使用手机充电器吗? Wǒ kěyǐ shǐyòng shǒujī chōngdiànqì ma? Can I use a phone charger?

这个地方有什么音乐会? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme yīnyuèhuì? Are there any concerts in this place?

请问这个地方有什么公共交通工具? Qǐngwèn zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme gōnggòng jiāotōng gōngjù? What public transportation options are available in this place?

我要预订一张火车票. Wǒ yào yùdìng yī zhāng huǒchē piào. I want to book a train ticket.

请问这个地方有哪些宗教建筑? Qǐngwèn zhège dìfāng yǒu nǎxiē zōngjiào jiànzhù? What religious buildings are there in this place?

请问这个地方有什么户外活动? Qǐngwèn zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme hùwài huódòng? What outdoor activities are there in this place?

这个地方有什么古迹? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme gǔjì? What historical sites are there in this place?

这个地方有什么美丽的自然风景? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme měilì de zìrán fēngjǐng? What beautiful natural landscapes are there in this place?

我迷路了, 你能帮我吗? Wǒ mílù le, nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma? I’m lost, can you help me?

我要买一些当地的特产. Wǒ yào mǎi yīxiē dāngdì de tèchǎn. I want to buy some local specialties.

请问这里有什么当地特色的手工艺品? Qǐngwèn zhèlǐ yǒu shénme dāngdì tèsè de shǒugōngyìpǐn? What are the local handicrafts available here?

我可以使用你的电话吗? Wǒ kěyǐ shǐyòng nǐ de diànhuà ma? Can I use your phone?

这个地方有什么推荐的自助餐厅? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme tuījiàn de zìzhù cāntīng? Are there any recommended buffet restaurants in this place?

请问这个地方有什么购物街区? Qǐngwèn zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme gòuwù jiēqū? What shopping districts are there in this place?

这个地方有什么娱乐活动? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme yúlè huódòng? What entertainment activities are there in this place?

这个地方有什么适合孩子的景点? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme shìhé háizi de jǐngdiǎn? What are the kid-friendly attractions in this place?

我要一份当地的地图. Wǒ yào yī fèn dāngdì de dìtú. I want a local map.

请问这个地方有什么逛街的地方? Qǐngwèn zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme guàngjiē de dìfāng? What are the shopping areas in this place?

这个地方有什么著名的剧院? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme zhùmíng de jùyuàn? What are the famous theaters in this place?

这个地方有什么适合运动的场所? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme shìhé yùndòng de chǎngsuǒ? What are the sports facilities in this place?

我需要一些药. Wǒ xūyào yīxiē yào. I need some medicine.

这个地方有什么适合拍照的景点? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme shìhé pāizhào de jǐngdiǎn? What are the photo-worthy spots in this place?

请问这个地方有什么音乐节? Qǐngwèn zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme yīnyuè jié? Are there any music festivals in this place?

这个地方有什么适合放松的地方? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme shìhé fàngsōng de dìfāng? What are the places for relaxation in this place?

我需要一份中英文的菜单. Wǒ xūyào yī fèn zhōng-yīngwén de càidān. I need a menu in both Chinese and English.

我想去海滩. Wǒ xiǎng qù hǎitān. I want to go to the beach.

请问这个地方有什么历史文化遗迹? Qǐngwèn zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme lìshǐ wénhuà yíjī? What are the historical and cultural relics in this place?

这个地方有什么适合徒步的路线? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme shìhé túbù de lùxiàn? What are the suitable hiking routes in this place?

这个地方有什么适合购物的商场? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme shìhé gòuwù de shāngchǎng? What are the shopping malls suitable for shopping in this place?

请问这个地方有什么水上活动? Qǐngwèn zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme shuǐshàng huódòng? What water activities are there in this place?

请问这个地方有什么适合冒险的活动? Qǐngwèn zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme shìhé màoxiǎn de huódòng? What are the adventurous activities in this place?

我想参加当地的庆祝活动. Wǒ xiǎng cānjiā dāngdì de qìngzhù huódòng. I want to participate in the local celebrations.

我想去参观当地的艺术画廊. Wǒ xiǎng qù cānguān dāngdì de yìshù huàláng. I want to visit the local art galleries.

这个地方有什么适合观鸟的地方? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme shìhé guān niǎo de dìfāng? What are the bird-watching spots in this place?

我要一张城市地图. Wǒ yào yī zhāng chéngshì dìtú. I want a city map.

这个地方有什么适合钓鱼的地方? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme shìhé diàoyú de dìfāng? What are the fishing spots in this place?

请问这个地方有什么特别的传统节日? Qǐngwèn zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme tèbié de chuántǒng jiérì? What are the special traditional festivals in this place?

这个地方有什么适合观光的路线? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme shìhé guānguāng de lùxiàn? What are the sightseeing routes in this place?

我需要一份旅行指南. Wǒ xūyào yī fèn lǚxíng zhǐnán. I need a travel guide.

这个地方有什么适合夜生活的场所? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme shìhé yèshēnghuó de chǎngsuǒ? What are the nightlife spots in this place?

请问这个地方有什么适合放松的温泉? Qǐngwèn zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme shìhé fàngsōng de wēnquán? What are the relaxing hot springs in this place?

这个地方有什么适合冬季运动的场所? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme shìhé dōngjì yùndòng de chǎngsuǒ? What are the winter sports facilities in this place?

我想参观当地的古堡. Wǒ xiǎng cānguān dāngdì de gǔbǎo. I want to visit the local castles.

这个地方有什么适合摄影的景点? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme shìhé shèyǐng de jǐngdiǎn? What are the photography spots in this place?

我需要一份旅游手册. Wǒ xūyào yī fèn lǚyóu shǒucè. I need a travel brochure.

这个地方有什么适合冲浪的海滩? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme shìhé chōnglàng de hǎitān? What are the surfing beaches in this place?

这个地方有什么适合购物的集市? Zhège dìfāng yǒu shénme shìhé gòuwù de jíshì? What are the shopping markets in this place?

我要买一些当地的 纪念品 . Wǒ yào mǎi yīxiē dāngdì de jìniànpǐn. I want to buy some local souvenirs.

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Chinese Phrases for Tourists and Chinese Travel Phrases

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
• Restaurants
• Asking for and Giving Directions
• Emergencies
• Flattery Phrases
• Useful Phrases to Go Through Language Problems

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!

• 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?
• 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

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: 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!

• 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

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:

• 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 !

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150 Basic Mandarin Phrases to Learn for Travel in China

Audrey Kidwell

International travel can feel daunting, especially if you do not speak the language of your chosen destination. In addition to the challenges of navigating an unfamiliar place, you will face a language barrier when facing even the most basic tasks like checking in to a hotel or ordering a meal at a restaurant. Before you leave, it's a good idea to learn some basic words and phrases in the local language to help you get around. In fact, the decision to travel abroad often inspires people to get serious about learning a new language: the upcoming trip can provide a strong motivation to improve. Once you reach your destination, the ability to communicate in the local language, even at a basic level, will open the door to deeper, more meaningful interactions with locals.

We've put together the following list of words and phrases to help you navigate when traveling in China. Some Chiense people do speak English, especially younger people living in major cities like Shanghai and Beijing. But if you plan to venture into small towns or more remote places like China's national parks , it's important to master at least some of this vocabulary in case you can't find anyone who speaks English. Besides, local people will be happy that you took the time to learn some Mandarin. After all, connecting with people from a different culture is one of the most rewarding parts of travel, and you don't want to miss out!

Useful Chinese Phrases for When You Arrive at the Airport

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling to China, you will need a visa. Make sure you read up on requirements and arrange your passport and visa in advance.

• Customs: 海关 (hăiguān)
• I have nothing to declare: 我没有需要申报的东西。 (wǒ méiyǒu xūyào shēnbào de dōngxi)
• Immigration: 边防检查 (biānfáng jiǎnchá)
• Passport: 护照 (hùzhào)
• Visa: 签证 (qiānzhèng)
• Baggage claim: 行李领取处 (xínglǐ lǐngqǔ chù)

Places Around Town You Should Know How to Say in Mandarin

• Post office: 邮局 (yóujú)
• Supermarket: 超级市場 (chāojí shìchǎng)
• Department store: 百货商店 (bǎihuò shāngdiàn)
• Convenience store: 便利店 (biànlìdiàn)
• Library: 图书馆 (túshūguǎn)
• Gym: 体育馆 (tǐyùguǎn)
• Hospital: 医院 (yīyuàn)
• Clinic: 诊所 (zhěnsuǒ)
• Bank: 银行 (yínháng)
• Park: 公园 (gōngyuán)
• Hotel: 酒店 / 旅馆 (jiǔdiàn / lǚguǎn)
• Hostel: 青年旅舍 (qīngniánlǚshè)

Asking and Understanding Directions and Distance in Mandarin

If you pick just one section from this list to study, it should probably be this one! Remember, it's not enough to know how to ask for directions: you also need to understand the answer. For even more detail on this topic, check out our posts on directions and locations in Mandarin.

Asking Where and How Far

• Excuse me: 打扰一下 (Dǎrǎo yīxià)
• May I ask: 请问 (qǐngwèn)
• Where: 在哪儿 / 在哪里 (zài nǎr / zài nǎlǐ)
• Excuse me, where’s the (restroom)? 请问，(卫生间) 在哪里？(Qǐngwèn, wèishēngjiān zài nǎlǐ?)
• How do I get to…: 怎么走 (zěnme zǒu)
• Excuse me, how do I get to the post office? 请问，邮局怎么走？(Qǐngwèn yóujú zěnme zǒu?)
• The nearest: 最近的 (zuìjìn de)
• Excuse me, how do I get to the nearest convenience store? 请问，最近的便利店怎么走? (Qǐngwèn, zuìjìn de biànlì diàn zěnme zǒu?)
• Excuse me, where’s the nearest supermarket? 请问，最近的超级市场在哪儿？(Qǐngwèn, zuìjìn de chāojí shìchǎng zài nǎ'er?)
• How far? 多远 (duō yuǎn)
• Very near: 很近 (hěn jìn)
• Not far: 不远 (bù yuǎn)
• Very far 很远 (hěn yuǎn)
• Excuse me, how far is the nearest library? 请问，最近的图书馆多远？(Qǐngwèn zuìjìn de túshū guǎn duō yuǎn?)
• Can I walk there? 我可以走路到那里吗？(Wǒ kěyǐ zǒulù dào nàlǐ ma?)
• Thank you: 谢谢 (xièxie)

Directions, Relative Locations, and Navigation Verbs

• Left: 左 (zǔo)
• Right: 右 (yòu)
• North: 北 (běi)
• South: 南 (nán)
• East: 东 (dōng)
• West: 西 (xī)
• Northeast: 东北 (dōngběi)
• Northwest: 西北 (xīběi)
• Southeast: 东南 (dōngnán)
• Southwest: 西南 (xīnán)
• In front of: 在... 前面 (zài... qiánmiàn)
• Behind: 在...后面 (zài... hòumiàn)
• Between: 在...中间 (zài... zhōngjiān)
• Next to: 在...傍边 (zài... pángbiān)
• Near: 在...靠近 (zài... kàojìn)
• Turn: 转 (zhuǎn)
• Go towards: 往 (wǎng)
• Go straight: 直走 (zhí zǒu)
• Go past: 過去 (guòqù)

Mandarin Phrases for Modes of Transportation

China boasts a robust transit network with straightforward rail, air, and bus travel within the country and good subway systems in most major cities. Traveling by train is a quintessential China experience and a great way to see the country. Keep in mind, sleeper berths and seats are both split into soft and hard varieties on Chinese trains, with an upcharge for softer and roomier accomodations. Some trains even sell standing space, so check carefully before you purchase your ticket.

Tickets: 票 (piào)

• One-way ticket: 单程票 (dānchéng piào)
• Return ticket: 往返票 (wǎngfǎn piào)
• Ticket machine: 售票机 (Shòupiàojī)
• Departure date: 出发日期 (chūfā rìqī)
• Return date: 返回日期 (fǎnhuí rìqī)
• Departure station: 出发站 (chūfā zhàn)
• Arrival station: 到达站 (dàodá zhàn)
• Where can I buy a ticket? 在哪里买票? (Zài nǎli mǎi piào?)
• How much does a ticket to (Shanghai) cost? 一张到 (上海) 的票多少钱? (Yī zhāng dào Shànghǎi de piào duōshǎo qián?)

Train station: 火车站 (huǒchēzhàn)

• Hard sleeper: 硬卧 (yìng wò)
• Soft sleeper: 软卧 (ruǎn wò)
• Upper / middle / lower berth: 上 / 中 / 下 铺 (shàng / zhōng / xià pù)
• Soft seat: 软座 (ruănzuò)
• Hard seat: 硬座 (yìng zuò)
• Standing ticket: 无座 (wú zuò)
• Seat number: 座位号 (zuòwèi hào)
• When does the train arrive / depart? 火车几点到 / 出发? (Huǒchē jǐdiǎn dào / chūfā?)
• The train is running late: 火车晚点了。 (Huǒchē wǎndiǎn le.)

Subway station: 地铁站 (dìtiězhàn)

• Entrance: 入口 (rùkǒu)
• Exit: 出口 (chūkǒu)
• Line number (3): (三) 号线 (sān hào xiàn)
• The next stop: 下一站 (xiàyīzhàn)

Airport: 飞机场 (fēijī chǎng)

• Airplane: 飞机 (fēijī)
• Flight: 航班 (hángbān)
• Check in: 登记 (dēngjì)
• Boarding pass: (登机牌, dēngjīpái)
• Drop off luggage: (托运行李; tuōyùn xínglǐ)
• Security: 安全检查 (ānquán jiǎnchá)
• Do I need to take out my computer? 我把电脑需要单独拿出来吗？ (wǒ bǎ diànnǎo xūyào dāndú ná chūlái ma?)
• Terminal: 航空站 / 候机楼 (hángkōngzhàn / hòujīlóu)
• Departure Gate: 登机口 (dēngjīkǒu)
• Economy class: 经济舱 (jīngjì cāng)
• Business class: 商务舱 (shāngwù cāng)
• First class: 头等舱 (tóuděng cāng)

Taxi: 出租车 (chūzūchē)

• Hail a taxi: 打车 (dǎchē)
• Taxi stand: 汽车站 (qìchē zhàn)
• Where do you want to go? 你去哪儿？(nǐ qù nǎ ér?)
• I want to go to the airport: 我要去飞机场 (wǒ yào qù fēijīchǎng.)
• Intersection: 路口 (lùkǒu)
• You can stop here: 这儿停车 (zhèr tíng chē)

Bus stop / bus station: 公交车站 (gōngjiāochē zhàn)

• Does this bus go to Wangfujing? 请问这趟车去往王府井吗? (Qǐng wèn zhè tàng chē qù wǎng Wángfǔjǐng ma?)
• Where should I get off? 我应该在哪站下车? (Wǒ yīnggāi zài nǎ zhàn xià chē?)
• How many stops? 几站？(jǐ zhàn?)
• Do I need to transfer? 需要专车吗？(Xūyào zhuǎnchē ma?)

Mandarin Phrases for Hotel Stays

• Book a room: 订房 (dìng fáng)
• Deposit: 押金 (yājīn)
• Key: 钥匙 / 房卡 (yàoshi / fángkǎ)
• Standard room: 标准房 (biāozhǔn fáng)
• Single room: 单人房 (dān rén fáng)
• Suite: 套房 (tào fáng)
• Elevator: 电梯 (diàntī)
• Wi-Fi password: Wi-Fi 密码 (Wī-Fī mìmǎ)
• Check out: 退房 (tuìfáng)
• Air conditioning: 空调 (kōngtiáo)
• Toilet: 厕所 (cèsuǒ)
• Shower: 淋浴 (lín yù)
• Blanket: 毯子 (tǎnzi)
• Towel: 毛巾 (máojīn)
• Pillow: 枕头 (zhěntou)

Useful Mandarin Vocabulary for Eating At Restaurants

For many travelers, tasing the local cuisine is the highlight of any trip abroad. Authentic Chinese cuisine spans many regions and ethnicities, so choosing a restaurant can feel overwhelming. Check out these posts for an introduction to Chinese cuisine and a guide for ordering at restaurants , plus the list below for some basic phrases.

• Restaurant: 餐厅 (cāntīng)
• Bar / pub: 酒吧 (jiǔbā)
• Cafe / coffee shop: 咖啡馆 (kāfēiguǎn)
• Bakery: 面包店 (miànbāo diàn)
• Phrases you’ll encounter at restaurants:
• Welcome: 欢迎光临 (huān yíng guāng lín)
• Please can you give me a menu? 请给我菜单吗？(qǐng gěi wǒ cài dān ma?)
• Waiter/Waitress: 服务员 (fú wù yuán)
• I want this one: 我要这个。 (wǒ yào zhè ge.)
• I’m ready for the check: 买单, 谢谢. (mǎi dān, xiè xie.)
• I don’t eat meat: 我不吃肉。(wǒ bù chī ròu.)
• I’m allergic to…: 我对...过敏 (Wǒ duì…guòmǐn.)
• Iced or hot? 冰的还是热的? (Bīng de háishì rè de?)
• Do you want it heated up? 需要加热吗? (Xūyào jiārè ma?)
• Do you want it here or to take away? 在这喝还是带走？(zài zhè hē háishì dài zǒu?)
• Here: 在这里。(zài zhè lǐ)
• Take away: 打包 (dǎ bāo)

Mandarin Phrases for Shopping and Sightseeing

In some settings, haggling is customary and even expected in China. This is especially true at small shops or market stalls selling all types of goods, from souvenirs to fresh produce. In fact, if you don't barter the price down in these settings, you're almost sure to get ripped off! Check out our guide to haggling and brush up on your measure words as well, and you're sure to succeed during your shopping trips in China!

• What are you looking for? 你打算买什么？ (nĭ dăsuàn măi shénme?)
• I want to buy (a bag): 我想买一个(包) (Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yīgè (bāo))
• How much? 多少钱？ (Duōshǎo qián?)
• I’m just looking: 我只是看看 (wŏ zhĭ shì kànkan)
• It’s too expensive: 太贵了 (tài guì le)
• Please make it cheaper: 便宜点 (Piányí diǎn)
• Pay with card: 刷卡 (shuākǎ)
• Cash: 现金 (xiànjīn)
• What size? 多大号的？(duō dàhào de?)
• Small: 小号 (xiăo hào)
• Medium: 中号 (zhōng hào)
• Large: 大号 (dà hào)
• Fitting room: 试衣间 (shì yī jiān)
• Could you please take my picture? 能麻烦您帮我照个相吗？(Néng máfán nín bāng wǒ zhào gè xiàng ma?)

Communicate Confidently in Mandarin on Your Next Trip to China!

We feel certain that learning some of the words and phrases in this article will help you feel confident enough to communicate in Mandarin when you travel to China. You can supplement this vocabulary with phrases to use in an emergency , so you're ready for anything on your trip. You can also work with a Speechling tutor for even more practice, plus feedback on your pronunciation from a native speaker. Hopefully your travel plans encourage you to take your Chinese studies to the next level and connect with local people during your travels!

Speechling is a nonprofit app and website that combines human coaching with technology to improve your foreign language speaking.

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• Travel Tips

Helpful Mandarin Chinese Words and Phrases to Learn Before Traveling to China

Learning basic Mandarin Chinese phrases, words, and slang doesn't have to be as daunting as it seems.

While the prospect of learning a new language might seem daunting or even mystifying, making an effort to pick up a few useful words and phrases should be a key part of your trip planning process, whichever part of the world you're visiting.

Of course, some languages are easier to get the hang of than others and in most places, there are also various dialects to consider. Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken and is the official language of China, Taiwan, and Singapore — which is why we're focusing on words and phrases from this language rather than other dialects — but in Hong Kong and Guangdong province, Cantonese is spoken. In Shanghai , the local dialect is Shanghainese. In Fujian province, a dialect called Min is spoken, which has eight different sub-dialects within the province. And in Taiwan, many people, especially those from older generations, speak Taiwanese. Unfortunately, these dialects aren't mutually intelligible; knowing Mandarin doesn't help with understanding other dialects because they are different sounding languages with few, if any, similarities.

Chinese languages are made up of tens of thousands of characters, and each character is made up of specific strokes, rather than a combination of letters. As there is no alphabet, you cannot simply spell out words according to their sounds or read a word simply by stringing together the letters. Learning Chinese really is a process of straight memorization. To put things in perspective, in order to read and write at an elementary school level, you would need to know about 2,500 characters that, when combined, can create many thousands of more words.

And there's yet another complication in learning the language: Chinese is tonal. In the same way that you would use tone for emphasis or emotion in English, every word in Chinese has a specific tone that determines its meaning. In other words, the same sound can be said with up to five different intonations, which each have five different meanings.

Take the word "mother" (mā 媽) for example. If pronounced with a different tone, it can mean "numb" (má 麻), "horse" (mǎ 馬), "to scold" (mà罵), or a grammar particle that goes at the end of yes and no questions (ma 嗎).

Because Chinese characters are so complex, pinyin was developed by Chinese linguists as an official romanization system for the pronunciation of Mandarin. It converts Chinese characters into a familiar and readable format, using just the 26 letters of the English alphabet, thus enabling English-speaking learners to learn to speak Chinese without needing to recognize characters.

In fact, you've already read pinyin above with the different variations of "ma."

So while no one ever said learning Chinese would be easy, it's still entirely possible to pick up a few basic Chinese words and phrases to help you get around on your next trip to a Chinese-speaking country.

You may not be able to master the language without some serious study, but committing a few key phrases to memory — or even practicing with apps like Duolingo — will make a world of difference when it comes to interacting with locals.

Start with these straightforward Mandarin words and phrases below. They are spelled out in pinyin first with the phonetic pronunciation in parentheses. The markings above the pinyin denote the intonation — and while this may be the trickiest part of learning Chinese, the best way to familiarize yourself with intonation will be to listen to the pronunciation.

Google Translate comes in handy for this, as you can input English and play an audio of the spoken version in Chinese. Once you arrive at your destination, you can also use the Google Translate mobile app or another very useful app called Pleco to take photos of Chinese text (say, on a menu or a sign) and have it translated for you on the spot.

Basic Mandarin Chinese Words and Phrases

Hello: Nǐhǎo ( Nee how )

If there's only one word you learn, this is it. Use this to greet everyone from your taxi driver to your waiter to the receptionist at the hotel front desk.

Thank you: Xièxiè ( Shieh-shieh )

If there's a second word to know, this would be it. Always be a polite tourist.

You're welcome: Bù kèqì ( Boo kuh-chi )

Respond with this if someone says "xièxiè (shieh-shieh) " to you.

Good morning: Zǎo ( Zhow )

Instead of saying both hello (nǐhǎo) and good morning, you can greet someone with just zǎo in the morning.

Goodnight: Wǎn ān ( One-un )

This is typically used when you're actually going to bed.

My name is…: Wǒ jiào... ( Wuh jeow... )

This literally means "I am called..."

My friend's name is...: Wǒ de péngyǒu jiào… ( Wuh duh pung-yo jeow... )

If you're traveling with a friend, you can now introduce him or her as well. If someone calls you "peng you," don't worry: they're just calling you a friend.

Useful Chinese Slang and Mandarin Phrases for Travelers

Where is the bathroom: Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ? ( See-sow-jian zai na-lee? )

This literally translates to "Where is the hand-washing room?" so you can mimic the motion of washing your hands to help your chances of being understood. You will see 男 on the door for the men's bathroom and 女 on the door of the women's.

How much?: Duō shǎo? ( Dwuh shauw? )

Use this phrase to ask the price of something at a street market in China, Taiwan, or Singapore.

Too expensive: Tài guìle! ( Tie gway luh! )

Impress them further by trying to haggle in Chinese — because you're usually given the tourist price first. (Keep in mind that it's appropriate to haggle for souvenirs, clothing, shoes, and accessories in markets, but food is typically sold at a fixed price.)

Make it cheaper: Piányí yī diǎn. ( Pian-yee yee dian. )

Combine this phrase with the one above and you're well on your way to becoming a fluent haggler in Chinese.

Very beautiful: Hĕn piàoliang ( Hen peow-liung )

China is such a beautiful country, and you might want to tell your cab driver on the Bund, "Shanghai hĕn piàoliang" or remark to your tour guide, "Guilin hĕn piàoliang," while admiring the karst mountains.

Delicious: Hào chī ( How chir ); Very delicious: Hěn hào chī ( Hen how chir )

The food is a main attraction in Chinese-speaking countries. Use this phrase to praise your host, the waiter, the chef at a restaurant, or the cook at a street stand. If you're especially impressed with the food, you can even say "Tài hào chīle ( tie how chir luh )", which means "Too delicious."

Check, please: Măi dān ( My dahn )

Try saying this at the end of your meal.

I don't understand: Wǒ bù dǒng ( Wuh boo dong )

A good phrase to remember, as you will likely need it.

Let's go!: Wǒmen zǒu ba! ( Wuh-men zoew bah! )

You can use this to signify you're ready to leave or to prompt your companions to get going.

Common Mandarin Chinese Words

Yes: Shì ( Sheh )

No: Bù shì ( Bu-sheh )

Good: Hǎo ( How )

Bad: Bù hǎo ( Boo-how )

Today: Jīntiān ( Jeen-tian )

Tomorrow: Míngtiān ( Meeng-tian )

Yesterday: Zuótiān ( Zwuh-tian )

Goodbye: Zàijiàn ( Zhai-jian )

10+ Useful Chinese Travel Phrases For Tourists

• , February 14, 2023

If you’re planning a trip to China, it’s important to know how to get around! The country is full of wonderful sights and experiences, but it can also be a bit confusing if you don’t speak Chinese.

No need to worry, though. We’ve got you covered with these ten must-know Chinese travel phrases.

Ready? Let’s go!

Chinese Travel Phrases

Hello – 你好 (nǐ hǎo).

This is the most important Chinese word to know! You’ll use it everywhere, whether greeting someone or just wanting to start a conversation. 

Moreover, showing that you’re trying to  speak Chinese  will go a long way. Doing so will earn you a lot of respect and even Chinese friends among the locals. 

Some folks will even compliment you on how amazing you speak.

Thank You – 谢谢 (Xièxie)

If someone does something for you or is just being nice, 谢谢 (Xièxie) is the phrase to use. It’s a simple way to show appreciation and kindness if they don’t understand English!

Moreover, saying this Mandarin Chinese travel phrase will also be great when someone does something nice for you out of the blue. For example, if someone lets you go ahead of them in line or offers their seat on a crowded train.

I’m Sorry – 对不起 (Duì Bu Qǐ)

The Chinese are polite people and used to being treated with respect; hence, they expect you to respect their culture and customs while in the country. 

Moreover, the  Chinese are very forgiving,  so if you make a mistake or offend someone, they’ll likely shrug it off and move on. 

But, saying I’m sorry or 对不起 (duì bu qǐ) shows you care about respecting their culture and customs while visiting their country.

Excuse Me – 不好意思 (Bù Hǎo Yì Sī)

Bù Hǎo Yì Sī – “Excuse me” is one of the most important Chinese phrases to know when you’re traveling to China. You can use it as a short expression of regret.

For instance, if you accidentally bump into someone on the street, you can say 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì sī) to show you’re sorry.

It’s also used as a polite way to ask people for things or to get their attention. For example, if someone is talking on their phone and walking towards you in an elevator, they might not notice that they’re getting close to hitting you.

You can say 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì sī) to get their attention and let them know they’re getting close.

Do You Speak English? – 你会说英语吗？(Nǐ Huì Shuō Yīngyǔ Ma?)

One of the first questions you might ask a local is whether or not they speak English. And most cases, they can, considering English is a global language.

However, Chinese people are often hesitant to speak English because they fear being judged negatively for their mistakes.

But you can count on one thing: they speak better English than you do the Chinese language.

So, don’t hesitate to ask and keep hoping they’ll respond positively and initiate conversation in English.

Where’s The Bathroom? – 洗手间在哪? (Xǐshǒujiān Zài Nǎ?)

In case you didn’t know, finding Chinese restrooms may be incredibly challenging, even for the most seasoned tourist. Fortunately, you just have to memorize key phrases to help you find this essential facility.

洗手间在哪? (Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎ?) is all you need to ask. This Chinese phrase may be translated from its first three characters as “washing hands room.” So, instead of just saying “toilet,” you may use this more nuanced term.

What Is This? – 这是什么? (Zhè Shì Shén Me?)

When  traveling in China , there are always some things that can be hard to understand. For example, the things you see on the streets or in shops may seem weird or funny. So, this phrase can be very useful.

The first word 这 (zhè) translates to “This.” The word 是 (shì) means “is,” while the word 什么 (shén) means “what.” 

So a literal translation of the Chinese characters 这是什么 would be “this, is what?” But don’t worry about the literal translation. 

Just focus on pointing to the thing, and the locals will understand what you want to know.

How Much Is This? – 这个多少钱? (Zhè Ge Duō Shǎo Qián?)

If you’ve ever been on a trip to China, you know that bargaining is a big part of the experience. But it can be hard to break into the bargaining game without knowing how to ask for the price in Chinese.

Asking 这个多少钱? (Zhè ge duō shǎo qián?) is a good place to start. You can use this phrase to get an idea of how much something costs or what kind of price range you should expect. So, if you see something that catches your eye, don’t hesitate to ask the price.

Can you lower the price? – 可以便宜一点吗? (Kě Yǐ Pián Yí Yī Diǎn Ma?)

Now that you know how much something costs, you’ll want to know if there’s room for negotiation. 

Asking 可以便宜一点吗? (Kě yǐ pián yí yī diǎn ma?) is a good way to find out if you can get the seller to lower their price. 

This phrase is helpful when shopping in China and at night markets where vendors may be willing to discount prices.

I Want To Go To… – 我想去… (Wǒ Xiǎng Qù…)

If you want to go somewhere and are unsure how to say it in Chinese, just ask 我想去… (Wǒ Xiǎng Qù…) then add the name of the place. For instance, if you want to go to Beijing, you’d say 我想去北京。 (Wǒ xiǎng qù Běijīng.)

You can also use this Chinese phrase when you’re asking for directions. For example, if you want to go to the airport, ask 我想去机场. (Wǒ xiǎng qù jī cháng.) Undoubtedly, the locals will be more than happy to help you out.

More Mandarin Chinese Travel Phrases And Basic Chinese Words

To learn more Mandarin phrases, check out the table below on basic Chinese travel vocabulary.

It’s filled with useful Chinese travel phrases and words that will help you get around in China.

In The Airport

At the hotel, buses and train station, asking for directions, travel to china in style.

So there you have it! You’re ready to leave your mark on the Chinese language—and if you follow our tips and tricks, you’ll be able to do it in style. Now you know how to say “hello” in Chinese, introduce yourself, and ask for directions.

You’ll be able to get around and make new friends without any language barrier holding you back! If you want to learn more about the Chinese language, make sure to download the Ling App!

Learn Chinese With The Ling App

Learning a new language is especially exciting because it can open up a whole new world of opportunities for you. If you’re interested in learning more Chinese, check out the Ling app to start your journey today!

The app features over 2,000 lessons, with interactive quizzes to help you practice your skills. The lessons are designed to be fun and interactive, so you can enjoy learning Chinese.

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Air Travel: Chinese Vocabulary for Your Next Flight

by That's Mandarin | May 30, 2023

Now that international travel has fully resumed and we can all fly wherever we want, let’s brush up on the essentials — Chinese vocabulary useful for air travel ✈️

Air Travel Chinese Vocabulary

Let’s start with the basics – airports, flights and planes:

01. Airport

NOTE There can be more than one airport in a city. To confirm which airport someone is flying from, you can ask:

你去哪个机场？ Nǐ qù nǎ gè jīchǎng? Which airport are you going to?

NOTE To ask someone about their flight, you can say:

你坐几点的航班？ Nǐ zuò jǐ diǎn de hángbān? What time is your flight?

NOTE In contrast to a “flight” which is a process of flying in the air, a “plane” is a physical vehicle. In Chinese, 飞机 (fēijī) and 航班 (hángbān) can very often be used interchangeably. But in phrases such as “to go by plane”, use 飞机 (fēijī):

你是坐飞机还是火车？ Nǐ shì zuò fēijī háishi huǒchē? Are you going by plane or by train?

04. Luggage

NOTE Depending on the type of luggage, you can check it or carry it with you on board:

托运行李 tuōyùn xínglǐ check-in luggage

携带行李 xiédài xínglǐ carry-on luggage

05. Window Seat

靠窗 kàochuāng near the window

EXAMPLE If you prefer to look out the window when flying, you can say:

我想要靠窗的位子。 Wǒ xiǎngyào kàochuāng de wèizi. I’d like a window seat.

06. Aisle Seat

过道 guòdào aisle

NOTE To get an aisle seat, ask for an “aisle-near-seat”:

我想要过道旁边的位子。 Wǒ xiǎngyào guòdào pángbiān de wèizi. I’d like an isle seat.

07. To Check In

登机 dēngjī to check in

NOTE As online check-in is getting more and more common, you can check in online in advance:

在线登机 zàixiàn dēngjī online check in

08. Boarding Pass

登机牌 dēngjīpái boarding pass

09. Economy / Business Class

商务舱 shānɡwù cānɡ business class

经济舱 jīnɡjì cānɡ economy class

NOTE If your flight is delayed for a long time, you can try your luck upgrading to business class:

我可以升级到商务舱吗？ Wǒ kěyǐ shēngjí dào shāngwù cāng ma? Can I upgrade to business class?

升舱 shēng cāng to upgrade (one’s class)

10. Security Check

安检 ānjiǎn security check

NOTE With an increasing number of passengers flying after the pandemic , it might be a good idea to arrive early to pass the security check without any rush:

过安检 guò ānjiǎn to pass the security check

11. To Delay (a Flight)

延误 yánwù to delay

NOTE 延误 (yánwù) means “to delay”, and it means that the plane will “take off later” than planned, 晚起飞 (wǎn qǐfēi). This word is quite formal, so you will often see it on the airport display board, whenever the flight status is “delayed”, 延误 (yánwù).

In spoken language, however, you can use the verb 晚点 (wǎndiǎn) to say that your flight “was late”:

我的航班晚点了。 Wǒ de hángbān wǎndiǎn le. My flight was delayed. (=took off late)

12. To Cancel (a Flight)

取消 qǔxiāo to cancel

NOTE Let’s hope that this never happens to you. But sometimes, there will be reasons to cancel a flight:

因为天气原因，航班都取消了。 Yīnwèi tiānqì yuányīn, hángbān dōu qǔxiāo le. All the flights have been canceled due to bad weather.

13. To Change (the Ticket(s))

改签 gǎiqiān to rebook flights; to change one’s flight reservation

NOTE If your flight gets canceled, you’ll probably want to change your ticket to a different date. Nowadays, it can be done online or via the app, but you can also call the airline and say:

我的航班取消了，请帮我改签一下。 Wǒ de hángbān qǔxiāo le, qǐng bāng wǒ gǎiqiān yīxià. My flight was canceled, can you help me rebook it please.

Take It Further

The topic of air travel is so rich — we’ve barely scratched the surface! Can you think of more flight-related words?

Leave your ideas in the comments below or on our WeChat Public Account   ✈️

In the meantime, here are a few questions for you:

你喜欢坐飞机吗？ Nǐ xǐhuan zuò fēijī ma? Do you like traveling by plane?

你坐过的最长时间的飞机是多长时间? Nǐ zuò guo de zuì cháng shíjiān de fēijī shì duō cháng shíjiān? What’s the longest flight you’ve ever been on?

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Daily Mandarin Lesson: "Travel" in Chinese

How to Use the Chinese Term 旅行 Lu Xing

• Mandarin History and Culture

Pronunciation

• Understanding Chinese Characters

旅行 (lǚ xíng) means "to travel" or "travels" in Mandarin Chinese. If you want to express your love for travel or if you're trying to explain that you're visiting China for leisurely travel, learning how to pronounce and use the term 旅行 can be helpful. 

The pinyin for 旅行 is ► lǚ xíng . The first character is in the 3rd tone while the second character is in the 2nd tone. This can be written as: lu3 xing2. 

Chinese Characters

In both traditional and simplified form, 旅行 is written the same way.

The first character 旅 (lǚ) means "trip" or "travel." The second character 行 (xíng) translates to all right; capable; competent; okay; to go; to do; to travel; temporary; to walk; to go; or will do depending on the context.

Sentence Examples

Audio files are marked with ►

► Tā měi nián dōu chū guó lǚxíng yī cì. 他每年都出國旅行一次 他每年都出国旅行一次 He travels abroad once a year. ► Tāmen yào qù ōuzhōu zì zhù lǚxíng. 他們要去歐洲自助旅行 他们要去欧洲自助旅行 They are travelling to Europe by themselves.

Another way to say "travel" in Chinese is 旅游 ( lǚ yóu), which can also mean "tourism."

• Daily Mandarin Lesson: "Happy" in Chinese
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• How to Pronounce and Use 'Where' in Chinese
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• Laoshi - Daily Mandarin Lesson
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• Zhidao - Daily Mandarin Lesson
• How to Say "Aunt" in Mandarin Chinese
• What Does Piao Liang Mean in Chinese?
• How to Say Goodbye in Chinese

Free Chinese Travel Phrasebook

Table of contents

Get your free chinese phrasebook sent right to your inbox, what’s inside your free chinese travel guide, 🙋‍♀️  the basics, 🏠  accommodation, 🚃  transportation, 🛍  shopping, 🏀  hobbies/fun, 🥂  socializing, 🗣  conversation aids, 🌤  time and weather, 💻  telecommunications, 🚨  emergencies, download our free english-to-chinese phrasebook, take your chinese a step further.

To get your free Chinese phrasebook PDF and start learning essential Chinese vocabulary for travel and other common scenarios, please enter your info below and be sure to click “I want my free kit.” (Why a kit? Our Mandarin Chinese conversation guide is just one of the resources in the free MosaLingua Language Learning Kit, a complete set of goodies for independent learners. You’ll love the rest of the resources in the kit, too, and it’s all free of charge! 😉):

This eBook contains 45 pages and 10 00+ words and phrases in Chinese, with English translations of course. It is organized by travel – related themes and ordered according to frequency of use (from the most commonly used vocabulary to more specialized terms).

If you’re planning a trip to Mainland China, Taiwan, or Singapore, or if you simply want to improve your conversational Chinese, you’ll want to have this Mandarin Chinese phrasebook by your side!

Topics in Your Chinese Travel Guide

To give you an idea of the themes covered in our phrasebook, here are some of the topics you’ll be able to talk about with the help of this Chinese travel guide :

• Polite phrases
• The essentials
• Starting a conversation
• Eating out, going to restaurants
• Meat and fish
• At a hostel
• Household chores
• Daily life at home
• Asking for things
• Going camping
• Public transportation
• Asking for directions
• The cardinal points
• Traveling by car
• At the airport
• Buying and negotiating
• Buying food
• Going shopping
• Arts and crafts
• Banking and dealing with money
• Outdoor activities
• Cultural and religious differences
• At the beach
• Meeting new people
• Going out, nightlife
• Feelings and opinions
• Common mistakes and difficulties
• Expressing agreement and disagreement
• Ending a conversation
• Talking about your love life
• Personality traits
• The human body
• Physical appearance
• At the barbershop or hair salon
• Occupations
• Talking about the future
• Temporal phrases
• Making phone calls
• Electronic devices
• Road accidents
• Important signs

All of the Chinese content above and more is available to you for free! To download your phrasebook, just click the “I want my free kit” button below. Then, keep an eye on your inbox for your free Chinese Travel Phrasebook PDF  (we promise not to send you any spam, you have our word!):

If you want to learn more about the Chinese language, its vocabulary, grammar, culture, and more, have a look around our blog . If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few popular articles and guides our readers love:

• Tips and tools to learn Chinese, fast
• To find tools to help you with other important skills, check out our guide to the best online Chinese resources
• And for much, much more vocabulary, and a scientifically proven method for learning it, download the MosaLingua Learn Chinese app .

Happy learning and hope to see you again soon!

Travel Chinese: Must-know Chinese Conversations for Your Trip to China

Traveling in China can be confusing if you can’t talk basic Chinese with the local people. Learn some useful travel-related phrases and sentences in Chinese, you’ll save time and reduce your frustration level.

We made this E-book with series of video lessons, either to brush up on the Chinese you already know, or to learn all the useful conversations you’ll need for your trip.

Looking for Something?

Chinese basic words and phrases for travel.

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Table of Contents

Why You Need to Know Chinese Basic Words and Phrases

If you’re going to travel in China, then you really need to learn a few common Chinese phrases. I speak from experience when I say that traveling in China without knowing at least some basic Chinese words and sentences is incredibly frustrating.

Even if you’ve traveled in dozens of other countries without speaking the local language, the language barrier you’ll come up against in China will be unlike anything you’ve experienced before.

But the good news is, learning just the very basics of Chinese will really go a long way. And who knows, you may fall in love with the language like I did and want to keep learning!

When I first started learning basic Mandarin in 2009, I saw it purely as a survival tactic. Nick and I were working in Guangzhou, China off and on for a few weeks, and in between work stints we had lots of time to explore the country.

For our first short trip in China, we chose the remote Western Chinese province of Gansu . This was not the wisest choice we could have made. Fascinating as it was to explore such an off the beaten track part of China, we got ourselves into all kinds of trouble. 

We even wandered into an out of bounds area and found ourselves surrounded by a S.W.A.T. team of half a dozen police officers! Of course, we could have avoided all of this if we had just known some Mandarin basics.

If you memorize just a few Chinese words and phrases from the list below, like “please”, “thank you”, “sorry” and the very useful “I don’t understand”, this will already make your trip a lot smoother.

And for the phrases you can’t remember, just keep them on hand so you can show them to people as needed.

Should I Learn Simplified or Traditional Chinese Characters?

In the list below, each phrase is written in both simplified Chinese and traditional Chinese characters. So, which one should you show to locals when trying to communicate with them? Well, it depends on where you are traveling.

The simplified Chinese script is used throughout mainland China and also in Singapore. Traditional Chinese characters, on the other hand, are used in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

In Malaysia , schools switched to teaching simplified Chinese in the 1980s, but most Chinese speakers there are able to read both sets of characters without much difficulty.

Chinese-speaking communities in other parts of the world are probably more likely to use traditional characters, but this may be changing over time with new waves of immigration. If you’re not sure, you can just point to both.

Chinese, Mandarin, Cantonese … What’s the Difference?

When people find out that I’m studying Chinese, they often ask me if I’m learning Mandarin or Cantonese. The answer is, I’m learning Mandarin, but those are not the only two forms of spoken Chinese.

While Mandarin is the lingua franca in China, there are actually several hundred different Chinese languages! And that’s just the “Sinitic” languages spoken by the majority ethnic group, the Han. There are also about 300 minority languages spoken by minority groups in places like Tibet and Yunnan .

But even the Chinese languages are as different from each other as English is from German, or as Spanish is from French.

However, these differences only show up in spoken form. The written form of Chinese, which is based on Mandarin, is standardized throughout the country.

In fact, it’s pretty common for Chinese people who speak different languages to resort to writing things down in order to communicate with each other. So, if you point to one of the written phrases in this list to get your point across, this won’t be seen as weird.

Although, it’s more fun to try pronouncing them yourself! Just one word of caution, though. Don’t try to pronounce Mandarin words or phrases without knowing something about tones first.

Mandarin Pronunciation and Tones

Mandarin is a tonal language, and you really do need to get the tones right if you want to be understood.

If you say the syllable “ma” with a rising tone (“ma?”) instead of a falling tone (“ma!”), for example, you’ll end up saying a completely different word. 

This is where pinyin comes in handy. Pinyin is a system for romanizing Chinese, which means writing Chinese words phonetically using the Latin alphabet. 

A tone marker over is written over each syllable to indicate whether it’s pronounced as a first tone (mā), second tone (má), third tone (mǎ), fourth tone (mà) or neutral tone (ma).

For each of the basic Mandarin words and phrases in the list below, you’ll find the pinyin with tone markers next to it in the right-hand column.

Of course, you still need to know what the different tones sound like in order to pronounce them properly. 

More Resources for Learning Basic Mandarin

It would be silly of me to try to teach you tone pronunciation in a written article, so instead I’ll direct you over to ChinesePod , one of my favorite resources for learning Chinese.

The folks there have put together a great video course called Say It Right that’s all about Chinese tones and pronunciation. It’s totally free; you just need to sign up for a free account.

And check out some of their Newbie lessons while you are there, which are really engaging and fun. I started out by castually listening to a few of their Newbie lessons back in 2009 and ended up sticking with it all the way to the Advanced level.

If you’re not interested in learning Chinese to an advanced level and just want to have some common Chinese phrases at your fingertips, then uTalk is a great option . 

Inside the uTalk smartphone app, you’ll find hundreds of useful Chinese words and phrases on all kinds of topics ranging from asking directions to watching a football match.

I’ve already included in the list below the Chinese phrases that I have found most useful when traveling. These start with most common Chinese words and phrases, like how to say “thank you” in Chinese, how to say “how are you” in Chinese, and how to say “where are you from?” in Chinese.

In addition, the list below also covers the main topics of eating out in restaurants, using public transport and checking in and out of accommation. I’ve limited the list to about 100 words and phrases to keep it a manageable size for a blog post.

But if you’d like to have a more extensive list of Chinese phrases in English translation, covering dozens of other topics, then do check out uTalk. 

Even if you don’t plan to actually learn all the phrases in the app, it also works as a really handy electronic phrasebook. Just type in a word such as “train”, and you’ll instantly see all the revelant phrases, like “the train is canceled”, “the train is delayed” and “when is the last train?”.

uTalk has some really affordable monthly subscription plans, and you can even get 20% off through this link . This discount is valid for any of the 140+ languages uTalk offers, not just Chinese. Oh, and they do offer Cantonese and Shanghainese as well as Mandarin!

Chinese Travel Phrases

And now here’s that list of Chinese travel phrases I promised you. I created this list based on my many years of experience studying Chinese, and I also checked it with a native speaker. So you can be sure that everything here is correct and sounds natural in Chinese.

Most Common Chinese Words and Phrases

Chinese restaurant phrases.

These phrases will definitely come in handy when ordering food in a restaurant in Chinese. This list includes phrases for explaining food allergies and for ordering vegetarian or vegan food, which you won’t find in most phrasebooks.

Be aware that the Chinese word for “vegan” is commonly used in Taiwan (where veganism is very popular) but is unlikely to be understood in China. There are actually two words for “vegan” in Taiwan. The one I’ve used below is “全素” or “full vegetarian”, but you could also say “純素” or “pure vegetarian”.

Either way, in China you will probably need to explain what that means.

But don’t worry, I’ve also included in the list phrases like “I don’t eat any animal products” and “I don’t eat meat, fish, eggs or dairy products” to help you do just that.

Chinese Transportation Phrases

Chinese Accommodation Phrases

Want to learn even more Chinese words and phrases? And learn how to pronounce them correctly?

Remember to check out ChinesePod and uTalk . These are the top two resources I recommend for people traveling to China or any other destination where Chinese is spoken. 一路平安 (Bon Voyage)!

About Wendy Werneth

This post is really excellent and super helpful, Wendy! FYI in Taiwan, Chinese speakers are far more likely to say 早安 than 早上好 for “good morning”, 國語 (or a little less commonly 中文) rather than 漢語 for “Chinese”, and 這裡吃 rather than 在這吃 for eating here. This is in my personal experience, and confirmed by my Taiwanese wife. The expressions you’ve listed for those are correct too, but just less common in Taiwan.

Great, that’s really helpful Nick. Thanks for your input! I tried to make the post as general as possible by including both simplified and traditional characters, but it’s true that the phrases I’ve included are based on usage in China. So I’m glad to hear the Taiwanese perspective!

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Who is the Nomadic Vegan?

Hi, I'm Wendy. I'm an intrepid traveler, vegan foodie and animal lover. I travel all over the world (117 countries and counting!) uncovering vegan treasures to show you how you can be vegan anywhere. Read more on my About page .

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500+ Chinese Vocabulary 📚Your Complete List

Essential chinese vocabulary to learn.

Welcome to the ultimate Chinese Vocabulary blog!

If there’s one thing we know all too well at LTL Mandarin School, it’s a good old fashioned Chinese vocabulary blog.

We’ve written dozens, fact-checked by our incredible Mandarin teachers.

Plus, have made thousands of flashcards to help our readers memories the Chinese vocabulary they’re learning.

You can find all our flashcards on our Pinterest and Instagram .

We’ve created this to be a helpful directory to access to top 10 words in each of our Chinese vocabulary blogs AND give you access to all our Chinese vocabulary videos in one convenient location.

Put your skills to the test with one of HSK Vocabulary tests and find our what level you’re at today, for FREE!

BONUS FREEBIE – Take the ULTIMATE Chinese Vocabulary Quiz ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Academic Vocabulary

See our full list of academic vocabulary .

Chinese Vocabulary: Alcohol

Discover more alcohol in Chinese .

Allergies in Chinese

Learn more about allergies in Chinese

Animals in Chinese

Find all the animals in Chinese

Chinese Vocabulary: Body Parts

Discover all the body parts in Chinese .

Chess in Chinese

Learn more about Chess in Chinese .

Chinese Vocabulary: Clothes

Discover all the clothes in Chinese .

Coffee in Chinese

Find more ways to order coffee in Chinese .

Colours in Chinese

Learn all the colours in Chinese .

Chinese Vocabulary: Directions

See our full list of directions in Chinese .

Dog Breeds in Chinese

Discover more dog breeds in Chinese .

Easter in Chinese

Learn more about Easter in Chinese .

Eggs in Chinese

Get all the eggs in Chinese .

Chinese Vocabulary: Elections

Get more on elections in Chinese .

Encouragement in Chinese

Get all the encouragement in Chinese .

Feelings in Chinese

Learn all the feelings in Chinese .

Chinese Vocabulary: Fish

Get more Fish in Chinese

Chinese Vocabulary: Fruit

Get more fruit in Chinese .

Furniture in Chinese

See our full list of furniture in Chinese .

Hello in Chinese

Find more ways to say hello in Chinese .

Chinese Vocabulary: The House

Get all the vocabulary for a house in Chinese .

Instruments in Chinese

Discover all the instruments in Chinese .

Jewellery in Chinese

Find more jewellery in Chinese .

Chinese Vocabulary: Makeup

Learn all the makeup in Chinese .

Maths in Chinese

Get more math in Chinese .

Chinese Vocabulary: Measure Words

See our full list of measure words .

Measurements in Chinese

Discover more measurements in Chinese .

Mobile Phone (settings) in Chinese

Learn more about your phone in Chinese .

Money in Chinese

Get all the money in Chinese .

Chinese Vocabulary: Numbers

Discover all the numbers in Chinese .

Occupations in Chinese

Find more occupations in Chinese .

Olympics in Chinese

Learn all the vocabulary for the Olympics in Chinese .

Chinese Vocabulary: Opposites

Get more opposites in Chinese .

Places in Chinese

See our full list of places in Chinese .

Plants in Chinese

Discover more plants in Chinese .

Chinese Vocabulary: Questions

Find all the questions in Chinese .

Days, Months and Seasons in Chinese

Learn more days months and seasons in Chinese .

Shapes in Chinese

Get all the shapes in Chinese .

Chinese Vocabulary: Shopping

Discover all the shopping in Chinese .

Shower in Chinese

Find more vocabulary for the shower in Chinese .

Space in Chinese

Learn all about space in Chinese .

Chinese Vocabulary: Sports

Get more sports in Chinese .

Stationery in Chinese

See our full list of stationery in Chinese .

Subway (sandwiches) in Chinese

Discover more about ordering a Subway in Chinese .

Chinese Vocabulary: Superheroes

Find all the superheroes in Chinese .

Therapy in Chinese

Learn more about therapy in Chinese .

Time in Chinese

Get all the time in Chinese .

Chinese Vocabulary: Transport

Discover more ways to talk about transportation in Chinese .

Vegetables in Chinese

Find more vegetables in Chinese .

Verbs in Chinese

Learn all the verbs in Chinese .

Viruses in Chinese

Find out how to talk about viruses in Chinese .

Chinese Vocabulary Quiz

Ready to test yourself? 100 questions all relating to what we taught you above.

Strap in, buckle up… and see how good your Chinese Vocabulary really is…!

Welcome to Vocabulary Quiz! Enter your First name and email to begin. Don't worry you can unsubscribe at any time!

Time is Up!

BONUS CONTENT |  Interested in other languages too? Why not check out our list of the 100 most common Korean words to learn and the  most commonly used Kanji in Japanese  too.

Chinese Vocabulary – FAQ’s

Some ways to improve your Chinese vocabulary is to use personal images while studying the new vocab .

For example, learn dog (狗 gǒu) while looking at an image of your dog.

Next recall what you have previously learnt (not review), recalling information will help kick your brain into gear.

Finally, try using a spaced repetition system to review words right at the moment you’re about to forget them!

The fundamentals of basic Chinese words can all be found in HSK 1 and 2.

After passing HSK 2 you would be able to communicate in simple and routine tasks.

This would include very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment and more. Discover all the levels of the HSK levels and the Chinese words in each category.

Vocabulary in Chinese is: 词汇 cíhuì

Absolutely!

There are plenty of resources to learn Chinese online. However one of the best ways to ensure you are pronouncing the Chinese tones correctly is to get immediate feedback from an online Chinese tutor .

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How To Learn Chinese with Pictures 🤔 Useful Resources To Know About

How To Write A Killer Cover Letter In Chinese 👩🏼‍💼 Tips, Tricks and Vocab You Need To Know

Simplified or Traditional Chinese? Which One Is Right For Me in 2023?

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[…] being in here I have been doing some Chinese practice, just learning vocab through the app Memrise. However, for other people I think Chinese classes might be a really good […]

Really really good list, best I’ve seen yet, cheers

Thanks a lot Brian, took some time, but all worth it!

Love it! Any downloadable PDFs?

Thanks Fez.

Actually we do have a PDF for you – what about this one for the most common Chinese characters?

https://ltl-beijing.com/most-common-chinese-characters/

Awesome compilation! Thanks. Now, do you have any lists for all things Chinese, such as martial arts, tea, caligtaphy, dao, and the like? That would be the best ever!

Excellent ideas Jimena, Tea we have but the others we’ll try and prepare something soon for you. Sign up to our newsletter and you’ll know exactly when we release them!

Tea Customs in China (with vocabulary) 👉👉👉 https://ltl-beihai.com/tea-customs-in-china/

To certain extend manageable. Good.

Very informative

Chinese quiz.

[…] written in traditional Chinese. This can happen when using Mandarin Chinese, or when using Mandarin Chinese vocabulary and grammar is significantly different than that of Mandarin. Furthermore, it may be interesting to […]

[…] Each one follows logically from the last, allowing you to easily build a bank of useful grammar and vocabulary.  […]

Best list,congratulation

Thanks Brian

Pair of giant pandas set to travel from China to San Diego Zoo under conservation partnership

SAN DIEGO — A pair of giant pandas will soon make the journey from China to the U.S., where they will be cared for at the San Diego Zoo as part of an ongoing conservation partnership between the two nations, officials said Monday.

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said its caretakers recently visited China to meet the giant pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, ahead of their planned trip to Southern California. An exact date for the handoff hasn’t been set.

Yun Chuan, a mild-mannered male who’s nearly 5 years old, has “deep connections” to California, the wildlife alliance said. His mother, Zhen Zhen, was born at the San Diego Zoo in 2007 to parents Bai Yun and Gao Gao.

Xin Bao is a nearly 4-year-old female described as “a gentle and witty introvert with a sweet round face and big ears.”

“Our conservation partners in China shared photographs and personality traits of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, but meeting them in person was so special,” said Dr. Megan Owen, the alliance’s vice president of conservation science. “It’s inspiring as people from around the world come together to conserve, protect, and care for these special bears, and we can’t wait to welcome them to San Diego.”

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has a nearly 30-year partnership with leading conservation institutions in China focused on protecting and recovering giant pandas and the bamboo forests they depend on.

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Pair of giant pandas set to travel from China to San Diego Zoo under conservation partnership

A pair of giant pandas will soon make the journey from China to the US, where they will be cared for at the San Diego Zoo as part of an ongoing conservation partnership between the two nations.

This photo released by the San Diego Zoo shows giant panda Yun Chuan on Thursday, April 25, 2024, in the Sichuan province of China. A pair of giant pandas will soon make the journey from China to the U.S., where they will be cared for at the San Diego Zoo as part of an ongoing conservation partnership between the two nations, officials said Monday, April 29. (Ken Bohn/San Diego Zoo via AP)

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This photo released by the San Diego Zoo shows giant panda Xin Bao on Thursday, April 25, 2024, in the Sichuan province of China. A pair of giant pandas will soon make the journey from China to the U.S., where they will be cared for at the San Diego Zoo as part of an ongoing conservation partnership between the two nations, officials said Monday, April 29. (Ken Bohn/San Diego Zoo via AP)

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A pair of giant pandas will soon make the journey from China to the U.S., where they will be cared for at the San Diego Zoo as part of an ongoing conservation partnership between the two nations, officials said Monday.

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said its caretakers recently visited China to meet the giant pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, ahead of their planned trip to Southern California. An exact date for the handoff hasn’t been set.

Yun Chuan, a mild-mannered male who’s nearly 5 years old, has “deep connections” to California, the wildlife alliance said. His mother, Zhen Zhen, was born at the San Diego Zoo in 2007 to parents Bai Yun and Gao Gao.

Xin Bao is a nearly 4-year-old female described as “a gentle and witty introvert with a sweet round face and big ears.”

“Our conservation partners in China shared photographs and personality traits of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, but meeting them in person was so special,” said Dr. Megan Owen, the alliance’s vice president of conservation science. “It’s inspiring as people from around the world come together to conserve, protect, and care for these special bears, and we can’t wait to welcome them to San Diego.”

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has a nearly 30-year partnership with leading conservation institutions in China focused on protecting and recovering giant pandas and the bamboo forests they depend on.

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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