Traveling in China can be an incredible experience. From historic cities and mountain landscapes to vibrant street food scenes, there is a lot to explore. While many young people speak some English, knowing a few basic Chinese phrases can make your trip much smoother and far more enjoyable.
You do not need perfect grammar or a large vocabulary. Even simple phrases can help you order food, ask for directions, check into a hotel, and connect with locals. Below are 100 essential Chinese travel phrases grouped by real situations you will encounter.
Greetings and Essentials
Nǐ hǎo
你好
Hello
Nín hǎo
您好
Hello (polite, for elders or officials)
Xièxie
谢谢
Thank you
Bù kèqi
不客气
You’re welcome
Duìbuqǐ
对不起
Sorry
Méiguānxi
没关系
It doesn’t matter / No problem
Zàijiàn
再见
Goodbye
Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ
很高兴认识你
Nice to meet you
Qǐng
请
Please
Míngbai
明白
Understood
Bù míngbai
不明白
I don’t understand
Nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma?
你会说英语吗？
Do you speak English?
Wǒ bù huì shuō Zhōngwén
我不会说中文
I don’t speak Chinese
Wǒ shuō de hěn màn
我说得很慢
I speak slowly
Qǐng shuō màn yīdiǎn
请说慢一点
Please speak slower
Getting Around: Transportation
Zài nǎlǐ?
在哪里？
Where is it?
Zhè shì qù nǎlǐ de chē?
这是去哪里的车？
Where does this vehicle go?
Qù jīchǎng
去机场
Go to the airport
Qù huǒchē zhàn
去火车站
Go to the train station
Qù dìtiě zhàn
去地铁站
Go to the subway station
Qù fàndiàn
去饭店/酒店
Go to the hotel
Duōshǎo qián?
多少钱？
How much?
Dǎbiǎo
打表
Use the meter
Wǒ yào dǎ chē
我要打车
I want to take a taxi
Qǐng tíng chē
请停车
Please stop the car
Wǒ zài zhèlǐ xià
我在这里下
I get off here
Mǎi yī zhāng piào
买一张票
Buy one ticket
Liǎng zhāng piào
两张票
Two tickets
Yī tiān de piào
一天的票
One-day pass
Dìtiě tú
地铁图
Subway map
Wǎng nǎ biān zǒu?
往哪边走？
Which way do I go?
Zuǒ zhuǎn
左转
Turn left
Yòu zhuǎn
右转
Turn right
Yīzhí zǒu
一直走
Go straight
Accommodation
Wǒ yùdìng le fángjiān
我预定了房间
I booked a room
Yǒu fángjiān ma?
有房间吗？
Do you have a room?
Duōshǎo qián yī wǎn?
多少钱一晚？
How much per night?
Wǒ yào dān rén fáng
我要单人房
I want a single room
Wǒ yào shuāng rén fáng
我要双人房
I want a double room
Yàoshi
钥匙
Key
Fángkǎ
房卡
Room card
Wǒ de yàoshi diū le
我的钥匙丢了
I lost my key
Yǒu WiFi ma?
有WiFi吗？
Is there WiFi?
Mìmǎ shì duōshǎo?
密码是多少？
What’s the password?
Kěyǐ bāng wǒ ná xínglǐ ma?
可以帮我拿行李吗？
Can you help me with luggage?
Zǎocān jǐ diǎn kāishǐ?
早餐几点开始？
What time does breakfast start?
Wǒ yào yánchí tuì fáng
我要延迟退房
I want late checkout
Kěyǐ bāng wǒ jiào chē ma?
可以帮我叫车吗？
Can you call a taxi for me?
Máfan gěi wǒ duō yī tiáo máojīn
麻烦给我多一条毛巾
Please give me one more towel
Kōngtiáo bù gōngzuò
空调不工作
The air conditioner isn’t working
Dining and Food
Càidān
菜单
Menu
Wǒ kěyǐ kàn kan càidān ma?
我可以看看菜单吗？
Can I look at the menu?
Nǐmen zhèlǐ yǒu shénme tèsè cài?
你们这里有什么特色菜？
What are your specialty dishes?
Wǒ chī sù
我吃素
I’m vegetarian
Wǒ bù chī ròu
我不吃肉
I don’t eat meat
Wǒ bù chī là
我不吃辣
I don’t eat spicy
Yīdiǎn diǎn là
一点点辣
A little spicy
Bù yào fēngle
不要味精
No MSG
Wǒ guòmǐn
我过敏
I have allergies
Wǒ duì huāshēng guòmǐn
我对花生过敏
I’m allergic to peanuts
Zhè ge shì shénme?
这个是什么？
What is this?
Wǒ yào zhè ge
我要这个
I want this (point at menu)
Hěn hǎochī
很好吃
Very delicious
Qǐng gěi wǒ yī shuāng kuàizi
请给我一双筷子
Please give me chopsticks
Qǐng gěi wǒ yī gè sháozi
请给我一个勺子
Please give me a spoon
Qǐng gěi wǒ yī bēi shuǐ
请给我一杯水
Please give me a glass of water
Qǐng gěi wǒ yī píng píjiǔ
请给我一瓶啤酒
Please give me a bottle of beer
Mǎidān
买单
Check please
Fēnkāi fù
分开付
Separate checks
Kěyǐ shuā xìnyòngkǎ ma?
可以刷信用卡吗？
Can I pay by credit card?
Wǒ yào dǎbāo
我要打包
I want to take this home (doggy bag)
Tài hǎochī le
太好吃了
So delicious
Shopping and Bargaining
Duōshǎo qián?
多少钱？
How much?
Tài guì le
太贵了
Too expensive
Piányi yīdiǎn ba
便宜一点吧
A little cheaper please
Wǒ kěyǐ shì yīxià ma?
我可以试一下吗？
Can I try it on?
Yǒu dà yī hào de ma?
有大一号的吗？
Do you have a bigger size?
Yǒu xiǎo yī hào de ma?
有小一号的吗？
Do you have a smaller size?
Lìngwài yī gè yánsè
另外一个颜色
Another color
Wǒ zài kàn kan
我再看看
I’ll just look around
Wǒ mǎi zhè ge
我买这个
I’ll buy this
Kěyǐ dǎzhé ma?
可以打折吗？
Can you give a discount?
Bā zhé kěyǐ ma?
八折可以吗？
20% off?
Shōu xìnyòngkǎ ma?
收信用卡吗？
Do you accept credit cards?
Xiànjīn
现金
Cash
Fāpiào
发票
Receipt
Wǒ kěyǐ yòng zhīfùbǎo ma?
我可以用支付宝吗？
Can I pay with Alipay?
Kěyǐ yòng wēixìn zhīfù ma?
可以用微信支付吗？
Can I pay with WeChat Pay?
Kěyǐ sǎomǎ ma?
可以扫码吗？
Can I scan the QR code?
Emergencies and Health
Bāng máng!
帮忙！
Help!
Jǐngchá
警察
Police
Yīshēng
医生
Doctor
Wǒ shēngbìng le
我生病了
I’m ill
Wǒ fāshāo le
我发烧了
I have a fever
Wǒ dùzi téng
我肚子疼
My stomach hurts
Yàofáng
药房
Pharmacy
Qù yīyuàn
去医院
Go to the hospital
Diū le dōngxi
丢了东西
Lost something
Wǒ de bāo diū le
我的包丢了
I lost my bag
Wǒ de hùzhào diū le
我的护照丢了
I lost my passport
Final Tip for Travelers
You don’t need to memorize all 100 phrases before arriving in China. Start with greetings, directions, and food ordering. Even a few words like 你好 (hello) or 谢谢 (thank you) can make locals more willing to help.
Chinese people usually appreciate the effort when visitors try to speak their language. A simple phrase can turn an ordinary interaction into a friendly moment and make your trip more memorable.
At eChineseLearning, we help travelers practice the Chinese they actually need before arriving in China. Our teachers focus on real travel situations like ordering food, asking for directions, booking hotels, and taking taxis.
Learning the phrases is the first step. Practicing how to use them in real conversations is what truly builds confidence. Start preparing for your trip today with a free 1-on-1 trial lesson, and experience how practical Chinese can make traveling in China easier and much more enjoyable.
Quiz: What does “加油” (jiā yóu) literally mean and how is it used?
A. Add oil / Used as encouragement like “Keep going!”
B. Order more food at a restaurant
C. Refuel a car only
Answer: A