Think You Know What Red Means in China? Think Again.
From weddings draped in crimson to New Year streets glowing with lanterns, red isn’t just a color in China—it’s a living symbol of joy, power, and protection. But its story runs far deeper than festive …
Rè qíng 热情 Warm and friendly Describes a welcoming attitude that encourages conversation.
Example: Tā duì rén zǒng shì hěn rèqíng, hěn róngyì liáotiān. 他对人总是很热情，很容易聊天。 He is always warm to people, making small talk easy.
pà lěng chǎng 怕冷场 Afraid of awkward silence Used to …
Nǐ xiào shén me xiào!
你笑什么笑！ What are you laughing at!
Nǐ dào dǐ xiào shén me? 你到底笑什么？ What on earth are you laughing at?
Gàn má yī zhí xiào! 干嘛一直笑！ Why are you laughing nonstop!
Xiào nǐ gè tóu! 笑你个头！ Stop …
Nǐ zhēn jué le! 你真绝了！ You’re awesome!
Tài yǒu gǎn jué le! 太有感觉了！ So much vibe!
Zhēn bàng! 真棒！ Really great!
Tài yǒu yì sī le! 太有意思了！ So interesting!
Bàng bàng de! 棒棒的！ Awesome!
Nǐ tài liù le! 你太6了！ You’re killing it!
Wǒ pèi …
1. 动作快一点 (Dòng zuò kuài yī diǎn) – Move faster. Real meaning: Why are you so slow？
2.我们都在等你 (Wǒmen dōu zài děng nǐ) – We’re all waiting for you. Real meaning: You’re holding everyone up.
3.要不你先弄这个 (Yàobù nǐ xiān nòng zhège) – Maybe do this …
Shàng tóu le! 上头了！ Totally hooked / can’t stop thinking about it!
Xià tóu le… 下头了… Total turn-off / mood killer…
Zhēn xiāng! 真香！ Didn’t expect to like it, but it’s soooo good!
Tài nán le ba! 太难了吧！ It’s soooo hard (but in a funny …
还可以吧 (Hái kě yǐ ba) – It’s okay. Real meaning: It’s not great… and I’m being nice.
挺好的 (Tǐng hǎo de) – Pretty good. Real meaning: I have nothing else positive to say.
一般吧 (Yī bān ba) – It’s average. Real meaning: I don’t like …
Yuē fàn ma? 约饭吗？ Wanna eat together?
Yī qǐ chī gè fàn ma? 一起吃个饭吗？ Shall we eat together?
Yǒu kòng chū lái chī fàn ma? 有空出来吃饭吗？ Free to grab a meal?
Jīn wǎn yī qǐ chī fàn ba! 今晚一起吃饭吧！ Let’s have dinner together tonight!
Xīn …
我先走了 (Wǒ xiān zǒu le) Literal: I’ll head out first. Real meaning: I’m escaping this awkward situation.
改天聊 (Gǎi tiān liáo) Literal: Let’s talk another day. Real meaning: I’m not interested in continuing.
我去接个电话 (Wǒ qù jiē ge diàn huà) Literal: I need to take …
我尽量吧 Wǒ jǐn liàng ba – I’ll try my best. Real meaning: I’m not going to do it, but I want to sound like I tried.
这个有点难 Zhè ge yǒu diǎn nán – This is a bit difficult. Real meaning: This is impossible.
我再想想 Wǒ …
Tài hǎo xiào le! 太好笑了！ So funny!
Wǒ xiào sǐ le! 我笑死了！ I’m dying of laughter!
Lè huài le! 乐坏了！ I’m cracking up!
Xiào dào bù néng tíng! 笑到不能停！ Can’t stop laughing!
Xiào pēn le! 笑喷了！ Burst out laughing!
Tài dòu le! 太逗了！ So funny …
Wǒ yào mǎi piào. 我要买票。 I want to buy a ticket.
Yì zhāng piào duō shǎo qián? 一张票多少钱？ How much is one ticket?
Shén me shí hòu guān mén? 什么时候关门？ What time do you close?
Kě yǐ pāi zhào ma? 可以拍照吗？ Can I take photos?…
Wǒ xiǎng huàn qián. 我想换钱。 I want to exchange money.
Wǒ yào cún qián. 我要存钱。 I want to deposit money.
Wǒ yào qǔ qián. 我要取钱。 I want to withdraw money.
Xiàn zài kě yǐ bàn lǐ ma? 现在可以办理吗？ Can I handle/process it now?
Xū yào …
In Chinese communication, expressing your reaction to unexpected situations can be subtle and nuanced. Let’s explore three common phrases that native speakers use to convey surprise, confusion, or a change of plans, helping you sound more natural and adapt to fluid conversations.
1. 想不到 Xiǎng …
1.不用谢：Bú yòng xiè——No need to thank / You’re welcome！
This is the most common and polite response when someone expresses gratitude. It implies that the favor was minor or expected, and therefore, no thanks are necessary. It’s widely used in daily interactions, showing humility and …
Wǒ yào jié zhàng. 我要结账。 I’d like to pay the bill.
Zài nǎ mǎi dān? 在哪买单？ Where do I pay the bill?
Kě yǐ yòng zhī fù bǎo ma? 可以用支付宝吗？ Can I use Alipay?
Kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma? 可以刷卡吗？ Can I pay by …
Wǒ yào mǎi gǎn mào yào. 我要买感冒药。 I want to buy cold medicine.
Yǒu méi yǒu zhǐ ké yào? 有没有止咳药？ Do you have cough medicine?
Qǐng wèn nǐ men yǒu tuì shāo yào ma? 请问你们有退烧药吗？ Excuse me, do you have any fever-reducing medicine?
Yào zhǐ …
Navigate Awkward Moments: Chinese Tactful Phrases！
1. 我不太清楚 [wǒ bù tài qīng chǔ] – I’m not really sure. This phrase allows you to politely avoid giving a definite answer, which is useful in situations where you want to maintain social harmony or simply don’t have …
Yǒu dàolǐ 有道理 Makes sense / That’s reasonable
This phrase is often used in conversations to express subtle agreement or acknowledgment of another person’s opinion. It’s polite and slightly reserved, showing you accept their point without full commitment.
Example: Wǒ juéde nǐ shuō de yǒu …
Want to upgrade your small talk from “textbook” to native? Here are 4 phrases Chinese people actually use every day:
好样的 (hǎo yàng de) – “Well done!” (friendly + genuine praise)
看起来 (kàn qǐlái) – “Looks like / Seems” (soft, empathetic observation)
真不错 (zhēn bù …
