Getting Repairs Done in Chinese: How to Call, Explain, and Follow Up

Something breaks. The air conditioner stops working in July. The water heater goes cold in winter. The wifi disconnects for no reason. You need to call someone. But the repair person speaks only Chinese.

This situation is stressful even in your native language. In Chinese, it can feel impossible. But here is the truth: you do not need fluent Chinese to get repairs done. You need a small set of phrases and a clear strategy.

This guide walks you through the entire repair process: making the call, explaining the problem, arranging the visit, and following up.

Before You Call: Gather Your Information

Being prepared makes everything easier. Have this information ready:

Write these down before you call. Having them in front of you reduces stress.

Part 1: Making the Call

You found a repair number. Now you need to call. Start simple.

Opening the call

Nǐ hǎo, wǒ jiā de [appliance] huài le
你好，我家的[电器]坏了
Hello, my [appliance] is brokenReplace [appliance] with what broke:

Part 2: Describing the Problem

This is the hardest part. You do not need perfect sentences. Simple descriptions work.

Basic problem phrases

Putting it together:

Wǒ jiā de kōngtiáo bù zhìlěng le
我家的空调不制冷了
My air conditioner has no cold air

Xǐyījī lòushuǐ le, néng lái kàn kàn ma?
洗衣机漏水了，能来看看吗？
The washing machine is leaking water. Could you come take a look?

When you do not know the exact problem

That is fine. Just say it does not work.

Wǒ bù zhīdào shénme wèntí, dàn tā bù gōngzuò le
我不知道什么问题，但它不工作了
I don’t know what the problem is, but it’s not working

Part 3: Arranging the Visit

Now you need to schedule the repair. Be clear about when you are available.

Asking when they can come

Shénme shíhou néng lái xiū?
什么时候能来修？
When can you come to fix it?

Jīntiān xiàwǔ kěyǐ ma?
今天下午可以吗？
Is this afternoon okay?

Míngtiān shàngwǔ jǐ diǎn fāngbiàn?
明天上午几点方便？
What time tomorrow morning is convenient?

Giving your available times

Wǒ shàngwǔ dōu zài jiā
我上午都在家
I am home all morning

Wǒ xiàbān hòu kěyǐ, wǎn shàng qī diǎn yǐhòu
我下班后可以，晚上七点以后
I can after work, anytime after 7 PM

Suíshí dōu kěyǐ, tíqián gàosu wǒ jiù xíng
随时都可以，提前告诉我就行
Anytime works, just let me know ahead of time

Confirming the appointment

Hǎo de, míngtiān shàngwǔ shí diǎn, wǒ zài jiā děng
好的，明天上午十点，我在家等
Okay, tomorrow at 10 AM. I will be home waiting.

Qǐng lái zhīqián dǎ ge diànhuà
请来之前打个电话
Please call before you come

Part 4: When the Repair Person Arrives

They are at your door. Now you need to show them the problem.

Greeting and showing the problem

Qǐng jìn, zài zhè biān
请进，在这边
Please come in, it’s over here

Jiù shì zhège wèntí
就是这个问题
This is the problem

Nín kàn yīxià, néng xiū ma?
您看一下，能修吗？
Could you take a look? Can it be fixed?

Questions they might ask

Shénme shíhou kāishǐ chū wèntí de?
什么时候开始出问题的？
When did the problem start?

Zuótiān kāishǐ de
昨天开始的
It started yesterday

Yǐqián chū guò zhè ge wèntí ma?
以前出过这个问题吗？
Has this happened before?

Méiyǒu, dì yī cì
没有，第一次
No, first time

Xūyào huàn língjiàn
需要换零件
I need to replace a part

Part 5: Payment

The repair is done. Time to pay.

Asking how much

Yīgòng duōshǎo?
一共多少？
How much in total?

Payment methods

Kěyǐ sǎo mǎ ma?
可以扫码吗？
Can I scan to pay?

Xiànjīn kěyǐ ma?
现金可以吗？
Is cash okay?

If the price seems high

Sometimes the price feels too high. Here is how to politely ask.

Zhège jiàgé shì zěnme suàn de?
这个价格是怎么算的？
How is this price calculated?

Yǒu shōujù ma?
有收据吗？
Do you have a receipt?

After paying

Xièxie, xīnkǔ le
谢谢，辛苦了
Thank you, I appreciate your work

How eChineseLearning Can Help

Getting repairs done in Chinese is one of the most practical skills you can learn. But reading phrases is not enough. You need to hear them, say them out loud, and practice responding when someone asks you an unexpected question.

At eChineseLearning, we can help you practice repair scenarios with a live teacher. You will role play the entire process: making the call, explaining the problem, and handling follow-ups. Your teacher will correct your pronunciation and help you sound natural.

Start with a free trial lesson. Tell your teacher you want to practice repair scenarios. You will be ready before something breaks.

Good luck, and may your appliances stay working.

Question: The repair person asks for your address. How do you tell them you live in Building 3, Unit 2, Room 1506?

A. Wǒ zhù zài sān hào lóu, èr dānyuán, yī wǔ líng liù shì
我住在三号楼，二单元，一五零六室

B. Wǒ zhù zài sān hào jiē, èr dānwèi, yī wǔ líng liù jiān
我住在三号街，二单位，一五零六间

C. Wǒ zhù zài sān hào qū, èr zǔ, yī wǔ líng liù fáng
我住在三号区，二组，一五零六房

D. Wǒ zhù zài sān hào yuàn, èr mén, yī wǔ líng liù hào
我住在三号院，二门，一五零六号