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 …
1. yǒu yī diǎn 有一点 (a little bit)
This phrase is often used to soften descriptions or express a mild degree of something, especially with emotions or situations. It can carry different feelings depending on intonation and context.
Example:
Wǒ yǒu yī diǎn lèi.
我有一点累。…
🎙 Tired of saying “漂亮” for everything?
We get it—“漂亮” is useful, but let’s be honest, using it for sunsets, dogs, cakes and TV shows? It gets old fast.
In this episode of eChineseLearningPod, Eric and Ruby explore five better, more natural ways to …
🎙 Tired of just saying “加油”？
Let’s level up your encouragement game—in Chinese! Sure, “加油！” is classic, but it’s not the only way to cheer someone on.
In this uplifting episode of eChineseLearningPod, Eric and Ruby unpack 6 go-to Chinese phrases that native speakers …
🎙️ Magpie Bridge & Milky Way: China’s Most Romantic Night Move over, Valentine’s Day—China’s Qixi Festival is a 2,000-year-old love story that takes romance to the stars… literally.
In this episode, we dive into:
🌌 The legend of two star-crossed lovers separated by …
Tài xìng yùn le!
太幸运了！
So lucky!
Zhēn xìng yùn!
真幸运！
Such good luck!
Yùn qì bào péng!
运气爆棚！
Luck explosion!
Tiān xuǎn zhī zǐ!
天选之子！
Chosen by heaven!
Zǒu gǒu shǐ yùn le!
走狗屎运了！
Hitting the jackpot!
Yùn …
When you’re completely fed up – emotionally DONE.
Wǒ shòu gòu le.
我受够了。
I’m so done.
Wǒ shòu gòu le zhè fèn gōng zuò!
我受够了这份工作！
I’m so done with this job!
For when someone’s excuses just drive you nuts…
Fán …
Zhè yào zěn me chī?
这药怎么吃？
How do I take this medicine?
Yī tiān chī jǐ cì?
一天吃几次？
How many times per day?
Měi cì chī jǐ piàn?
每次吃几片？
How many pills each time?
Fàn qián chī hái shì fàn hòu …
Wǒ bù shū fú.
我不舒服。
I’m not feeling well.
Wǒ tóu téng.
我头疼。
I have a headache.
Wǒ fā shāo le.
我发烧了。
I have a fever.
Wǒ dù zi téng.
我肚子疼。
I have a stomachache.
Hóu lóng tòng
喉咙痛
Sore …
Wǒ xiǎng jiǎn tóu fà.
我想剪头发。
I’d like a haircut.
Wǒ xiǎng jiǎn duǎn yī diǎn.
我想剪短一点。
I want it a bit shorter.
Xiū jiǎn yī xià liú hǎi.
修剪一下刘海。
Trim the bangs a little.
Xiū jiǎn fà wěi.
修剪发尾。
Trim …
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 …
我真的不行了 (Wǒ zhēn de bù xíng le)
Literal: I really can’t go on.
Tone: Exhausted but sincere.
累死我了 (Lèi sǐ wǒ le)
Literal: I’m tired to death.
Tone: Exaggerated but casual.
我扛不住了 (Wǒ káng bù zhù le)
Literal: I can’t hold on anymore.
Tone: Colloquial …
zǎo shang hǎo
早上好
Good morning!
Chī zǎo cān le ma?
吃早餐了吗？
Have you eaten breakfast?
Zhōng wǔ hǎo
中午好
Good noon (around midday)
xià wǔ hǎo
下午好
Good afternoon!
Chī wǔ fàn le ma?
吃午饭了吗？
Have you eaten lunch?
…
Cè suǒ
厕所
Qǐng wèn, cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ?
请问，厕所在哪里？
Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
Cè suǒ zài nǎ biān?
厕所在哪边？
Which way is the bathroom?
Zhè lǐ yǒu cè suǒ ma?
这里有厕所吗？
Is there a bathroom here?
…
