Chinese Travel Phrases for Basic Greetings and Introductions

Saying hello in Chinese will help you start a conversation when visiting China
Saying hello in Chinese will help you start a conversation when visiting China

When visiting China, it’s essential to uphold good manners and know how to greet people. Learning some of these Chinese travel phrases will definitely come in handy for any tourist.

Greeting people

  • 你好 (nǐ hǎo) – Hello
  • 早上好 (zǎoshang hǎo) – Good morning
  • 晚上好 (wǎnshang hǎo) – Good evening
  • 很高兴认识你 (hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ) – Nice to meet you

Introducing yourself and asking for someone’s name

  • 你叫什么名字? (nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?) – What’s your name?
  • 我叫… (wǒ jiào…) – My name is…

Expressing gratitude

  • 谢谢 (xièxie) – Thank you
  • 不客气 (bú kèqi) – You’re welcome

Read more: 30+ Common Chinese Phrases

Chinese Travel Phrases for Getting Around

Using common Chinese travel phrases will get you what you are looking for
Using common Chinese travel phrases will get you what you are looking for

Your adventure begins the moment you land! With these Chinese travel phrases, you can save a lot of time and effort to discover this country.

Asking for directions

  • 请问, 去…怎么走? (qǐng wèn, qù…zěnme zǒu?) – Excuse me, how do I get to…?
  • 不好意思,可以问个路玛? (bù hǎoyìsi, kěyǐ wèn ge lù ma?) – Excuse me, could I ask for some directions?
  • 到…怎么走?Dào … zěnme zǒu? – How do I get to the …?
  • …在哪儿? (…zài nǎr?) – Where is the …?
  • …在哪里?…zài nǎli – Where is the …?

Using public transportation

  • 坐公交车 (zuò gōngjiāo chē) – take the bus
  • 坐地铁 (zuò dìtiě) – take the subway/metro
  • 坐高铁 (zuò gāotiě) – Take the high-speed train
  • 坐火车 (zuò huǒchē) – Take the train
  • 坐飞机 (zuò fēijī) – Take a plane

Taking a taxi

  • 打车 (dǎ chē) – to take a taxi/to call a car (ride-hailing service)
  • 请帮我叫车 (qǐng bāng wǒ jiào chē) – Please help me call a cab
  • 我要去… (wǒ yào qù…) – I want to go to…
  • 请带我去… (qǐng dài wǒ qù…) – Please take me to…
  • 在这里停 (zài zhèlǐ tíng) – Stop here

Chinese Travel Phrases for Accommodation

Finding a hotel or getting the necessary information is no longer difficult
Finding a hotel or getting the necessary information is no longer difficult

With these Chinese travel phrases, you can confirm your reservation, ask about amenities, and solve common issues – All in Mandarin.

Checking into a hotel

  • 我要开一个房间 (wǒ yào kāi yī gè fángjiān) – I would like to book/reserve a room
  • 请问有空房吗? (qǐngwèn yǒu kòng fáng ma?) – Do you have any available rooms?
  • 我有预订 (wǒ yǒu yùdìng) – I have a reservation.
  • 请给我房间钥匙 (qǐng gěi wǒ fángjiān yàoshi) – Please give me the room key.
  • 请帮我拿行李 (qǐng bāng wǒ ná xínglǐ) – Please help me with my luggage.

Requesting amenities

  • 我需要… (wǒ xūyào…) – I need…
  • 请给我多一条毯子 (qǐng gěi wǒ duō yī tiáo tǎnzi) – Please give me an extra blanket.
  • 请问可以换房间吗? (qǐngwèn kěyǐ huàn fángjiān ma?) – Can I change rooms?
  • 可以打扫一下房间吗? (kěyǐ dǎsǎo yīxià fángjiān ma?) – Can you clean the room?

Checking out

  • 退房 (tuì fáng) – check out
  • 可以延迟退房吗? (kěyǐ yánchí tuìfáng ma?) – Can I have a late checkout?
  • 请给我一张发票 (qǐng gěi wǒ yī zhāng fāpiào) – Please give me a receipt.
  • 我房间里没有消费 (wǒ fángjiān lǐ méiyǒu xiāofèi) – I didn’t use any minibar or extra services.

Chinese Travel Phrases for Eating Out

Pointing is a good idea if you don’t know the name of the dish
Pointing is a good idea if you don’t know the name of the dish

Food is a huge part of any trip to China, and being able to order confidently makes all the difference. If you don’t want to go out, you can order and pay for your meals and shopping with its payment function — WeChat Pay!

Ordering food

  • 服务员! (fúwùyuán!) – Waiter/Waitress! (Calling for the server’s attention)
  • 请给我菜单 (qǐng gěi wǒ càidān) – Please give me the menu.
  • 我们要点菜 (wǒmen yào diǎn cài) – We would like to order.
  • 我要… (wǒ yào…) – I want…
  • 请给我来一份… (qǐng gěi wǒ lái yī fèn…) – Please give me a serving of…

Asking for recommendations

  • 有什么推荐的吗? (yǒu shénme tuījiàn de ma?) – What do you recommend?
  • 有什么特色菜吗? (yǒu shénme tèsè cài ma?) – Are there any specialties?
  • 这道菜好吃吗? (zhè dào cài hǎochī ma?) – Is this dish delicious?
  • 哪道菜最受欢迎? (nǎ dào cài zuì shòu huānyíng?) – Which dish is the most popular?

Expressing preferences

  • 我喜欢… (wǒ xǐhuan…) – I like…
  • 我想要… (wǒ xiǎng yào…) – I would like…
  • 我不吃… (wǒ bù chī…) – I don’t eat…

Chinese Travel Phrases for Shopping

Most tourists want to take home some bargains or mementos when travelling
Most tourists want to take home some bargains or mementos when travelling

Shopping in China is a real adventure, from the lively markets to the fancy malls. These are some Chinese phrases for tourists if you want to bargain, understand prices, and shop like a pro.

Asking for prices

  • 多少钱? (duōshao qián?) – How much does it cost?
  • 一共多少钱? (yī gòng duōshao qián?) – How much is it in total?
  • 那个怎么卖? (nà ge zěnme mài?) – How much is that one?

Bargaining

  • 便宜一点 (piányi yīdiǎn) – Cheaper, please
  • 可以便宜一点吗? (kěyǐ piányi yīdiǎn ma?) – Can it be a little cheaper?
  • 太贵了,能打个折吗? (tài guì le, néng dǎ ge zhé ma?) – It’s too expensive, can you give me a discount?

Trying on clothes

  • 我可以试一下吗? (wǒ kěyǐ shì yīxià ma?) – Can I try it on?
  • 试衣间在哪里? (shì yī jiān zài nǎlǐ?) – Where is the fitting room?
  • 这件衣服有其他颜色/尺码吗? (zhè jiàn yīfu yǒu qítā yánsè/chǐmǎ ma?) – Does this piece of clothing have other colors/sizes?

Chinese Travel Phrases for Emergencies

Nobody wants to face emergencies, but it’s always better to be prepared. Here are some essential Chinese travel phrases for the unexpected.

Don't worry if things go wrong on the road
Don’t worry if things go wrong on the road

Calling for help

  • 救命 (jiùmìng!) – Help!
  • 警察 (jǐngchá) – Police
  • 报警 (bào jǐng) – Call the police

Describing a problem

  • 我…不舒服 (wǒ…bù shūfu) – I feel…unwell
  • 我在…遇到了麻烦 (wǒ zài…yù dào le má fan) – I encountered some trouble at…
  • 我迷路了 (wǒ mí lù le) – I am lost

Finding a hospital

  • 最近的医院在哪里? (zuìjìn de yīyuàn zài nǎlǐ?) – Where is the nearest hospital?
  • 附近有医院吗? (fù jìn yǒu yī yuàn ma?) – Is there a hospital nearby?

Conclusion

Knowing some basic Chinese travel phrases can really make your trip smoother and more fun. With a diversity of learning resources from Gurulango, your journey to Chinese learning would be easier in different travel settings.