50 Must-Know Phrases for Watching Chinese Dramas Without Subtitles

Let’s be honest: watching Chinese dramas without subtitles can feel like trying to run a marathon with your shoelaces tied together. But what if you could start understanding the most repeated, emotionally loaded phrases—without needing to pause every 10 seconds?

Whether you’re obsessed with historical palace intrigue or modern revenge thrillers, Chinese dramas rely on a core set of phrases to deliver tension, love, betrayal, and plot twists. Let‘s break them down into 5 key categories, with 10 phrases each.

1. Everyday Essentials (You’ll Hear These Every Episode)

These are your daily “bread-and-butter” expressions. Even in a palace or on a spaceship, someone will say these.

1. 你干嘛？(Nǐ gàn ma?) – What are you doing?
2. 你没事吧？(Nǐ méishì ba?) – Are you okay?
3. 真的假的？(Zhēn de jiǎ de?) – Are you serious?
4. 不可能！(Bù kěnéng!) – Impossible!
5. 我不信。(Wǒ bù xìn.) – I don’t believe it.
6. 你听我解释！(Nǐ tīng wǒ jiěshì!) – Let me explain!
7. 赶紧走！(Gǎnjǐn zǒu!) – Get out of here! / Go now!
8. 怎么可能？(Zěnme kěnéng?) – How is that possible?
9. 你疯了！(Nǐ fēng le!) – Are you crazy?!
10. 拜托！(Bàituō!) – Come on! / Please!

2. Romantic Tension & Heartbreak

These are the lines that either make your heart flutter or break it into pieces.

11. 我喜欢你。(Wǒ xǐhuān nǐ.) – I like you.
12. 我一直都在。(Wǒ yīzhí dōu zài.) – I’ve always been here (for you).
13. 你到底爱不爱我？(Nǐ dàodǐ ài bù ài wǒ?) – Do you love me or not?
14. 我们分手吧。(Wǒmen fēnshǒu ba.) – Let’s break up.
15. 对不起，是我不好。(Duìbuqǐ, shì wǒ bù hǎo.) – Sorry, it’s my fault.
16. 你永远不懂。(Nǐ yǒngyuǎn bù dǒng.) – You’ll never understand.
17. 别走！(Bié zǒu!) – Don’t go!
18. 我不会再相信你了。(Wǒ bù huì zài xiāngxìn nǐ le.) – I won’t trust you again.
19. 我恨你！(Wǒ hèn nǐ!) – I hate you!
20. 只要你幸福就好。(Zhǐyào nǐ xìngfú jiù hǎo.) – As long as you’re happy.

3. Family Drama & Power Struggles

Perfect for palace dramas and modern soap operas.

21. 你以为你是谁？(Nǐ yǐwéi nǐ shì shéi?) – Who do you think you are?
22. 这不关你的事！(Zhè bù guān nǐ de shì!) – This is none of your business!
23. 你背叛了我。(Nǐ bèipàn le wǒ.) – You betrayed me.
24. 你敢动我家人试试看！(Nǐ gǎn dòng wǒ jiārén shì shìkàn!) – Try touching my family!
25. 你配吗？(Nǐ pèi ma?) – Are you even worthy?
26. 这就是命。(Zhè jiù shì mìng.) – This is fate.
27. 你早就知道了，对不对？(Nǐ zǎo jiù zhīdào le, duì bú duì?) – You knew all along, didn’t you?
28. 我不会放过你！(Wǒ bù huì fàngguò nǐ!) – I won’t let you get away with this!
29. 你输了。(Nǐ shū le.) – You’ve lost.
30. 这只是开始。(Zhè zhǐshì kāishǐ.) – This is just the beginning.

4. Suspense & Plot Twists

Cliffhangers love these phrases.

31. 他根本不是你爸！(Tā gēnběn bú shì nǐ bà!) – He’s not even your real dad!
32. 她怀孕了！(Tā huáiyùn le!) – She’s pregnant!
33. 这一切都是你安排的？(Zhè yīqiè dōu shì nǐ ānpái de?) – You planned this all along?
34. 我有证据。(Wǒ yǒu zhèngjù.) – I have evidence.
35. 他死了？(Tā sǐ le?) – He’s dead?
36. 别相信她！(Bié xiāngxìn tā!) – Don’t trust her!
37. 我早就怀疑你了。(Wǒ zǎo jiù huáiyí nǐ le.) – I’ve suspected you all along.
38. 她不是那个她。(Tā bú shì nàgè tā.) – She’s not who you think she is.
39. 你到底想干什么？(Nǐ dàodǐ xiǎng gàn shénme?) – What are you really trying to do?
40. 这不可能是巧合。(Zhè bù kěnéng shì qiǎohé.) – This can’t be a coincidence.

5. Historical & Formal Phrases (for Period Dramas)

If you’re watching palace dramas, war epics, or dynastic sagas, you’ll need this set.

41. 微臣告退。(Wēichén gàotuì.) – I, your humble servant, take my leave.
42. 奴才知错。(Núcái zhī cuò.) – Your servant admits their fault.
43. 臣妾惶恐。(Chénqiè huángkǒng.) – This concubine is afraid (used by women toward royalty).
44. 赐死。(Cì sǐ.) – Be granted death (i.e. ordered execution).
45. 请皇上赎罪！(Qǐng huángshàng shúzuì!) – Please, Your Majesty, forgive this sin!
46. 本宫不答应。(Běn gōng bù dāyìng.) – I (royal woman) do not agree!
47. 传太医！(Chuán tàiyī!) – Summon the royal physician!
48. 退下！(Tuì xià!) – Leave my presence!
49. 这点小伎俩，也敢在本宫面前卖弄？(Zhè diǎn xiǎo jìliǎng, yě gǎn zài běn gōng miànqián màinòng?) – You dare flaunt such petty tricks before me?
50. 这江山，我不会拱手相让！(Zhè jiāngshān, wǒ bù huì gǒngshǒu xiāngràng!) – I won’t hand over this empire without a fight!

Final Tip: Watch with Your Ears, Not Just Your Eyes

Chinese dramas rely heavily on tone, expression, and rhythm. Once you start recognizing these phrases, you’ll hear the drama in the voice—not just read it in the subtitles.

Want to practice these drama-worthy phrases with a real teacher — and learn how to sound just as dramatic? Join a free 1-on-1 Chinese class and get personalized speaking practice with real dialogue from actual dramas. Learn the tone, the delivery, and the fire behind every phrase.

Book your free trial now and bring your favorite drama lines to life！

Which phrase would a betrayed friend scream in a modern revenge drama?
A. 你背叛了我 (Nǐ bèipàn le wǒ)
B. 微臣告退 (Wēichén gàotuì)
C. 传太医 (Chuán tàiyī)