THE TRAVEL PHRASEBOOK / CHINA
A little Mandarin.
A smoother trip.
Chinese for travel, without the textbook. Find what you need to say, read the pinyin, or show the Chinese on your phone.
No matching phrases. Try “pay”, “train”, “help”, or clear your search.
01 / ON YOUR TRIP
Start here
Use these before the first question, especially when tones or speed make a reply hard. Chinese text on your phone is often more useful than repeating English.
Start with these six. If speaking gets difficult, ask the other person to type or show them the Chinese text.
- Say the short phrase first, then point or show the text.
- “请问” is a polite way to start a question.
- If you miss the reply, ask the person to type it.
Hello.
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
你好。
Thank you.
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
谢谢。
Excuse me, may I ask a question?
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
请问一下。
I don’t understand.
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
我听不懂。
Please speak a little more slowly.
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
请说慢一点。
Could you type it on my phone?
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
可以帮我打在手机上吗？
02 / ON YOUR TRIP
Ordering food
Chinese food varies widely by region. Sichuan and Hunan dishes can be hot, but many dishes are mild. “不吃辣” means no spicy food; it does not by itself explain a serious allergy.
Point to a menu item when you say “this one.” “No meat” is a simple request, not an allergy or strict vegetarian guarantee; confirm ingredients separately.
- For an allergy, name the ingredient and ask whether it is in the dish, sauce or cooking oil.
- Ask about peanuts, shellfish, dairy, sesame, wheat and cilantro explicitly when relevant.
- Cross-contamination is possible in busy kitchens; carry a Chinese allergy card and do not rely only on “no spicy”.
I would like this one.
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
我要这个。
Do you have an English menu?
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
有英文菜单吗？
Please make it not spicy.
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
请不要放辣。
No meat, please.
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
请不要放肉。
Could I have some drinking water?
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
可以给我一些饮用水吗？
The bill, please.
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
买单，谢谢。
I have a peanut allergy. It is not just a preference.
Use only if peanut is your allergen; show your own translated allergy details for other ingredients.
我对花生过敏，不是忌口。
Does the sauce contain peanuts or sesame?
Check dipping sauces as well as the main dish.
酱料里有花生或芝麻吗？
Are the same utensils or cooking oil used for other dishes?
Ask about shared preparation. A reply does not establish that a dish is safe for your allergy.
和其他菜共用厨具或食用油吗？
How long is the wait for a table?
Ask before joining the roast-duck restaurant queue.
现在等位要多久？
03 / ON YOUR TRIP
Getting around
Chinese addresses and station names are easiest to use in written form. Show the destination, exit number or map pin while speaking.
Keep your destination saved in Chinese. Show the address or a map pin alongside the phrase.
- Save your hotel name and address in Chinese before leaving.
- At large stations, confirm the line, direction and exit number.
- For taxis or ride-hailing, check the plate and destination before moving.
Please take me to this address.
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
请带我去这个地址。
Where is the subway station?
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
地铁站在哪里？
Does this train go to the airport?
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
这趟车去机场吗？
Which platform should I go to?
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
我应该去哪个站台？
Where is the taxi pickup point?
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
出租车上车点在哪里？
I would like to get off here.
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
我想在这里下车。
Where is the Meridian Gate entrance to the Palace Museum?
Show this to staff near the palace; the north gate is an exit.
请问，故宫午门入口在哪里？
I booked with my passport. Where is the manual ticket-checking lane?
Keep the original passport and booking confirmation ready.
我用护照预约了，请问人工检票通道在哪里？
04 / ON YOUR TRIP
At the hotel
Hotels may need your passport details for registration. Keep your booking confirmation, room number and a screenshot of the address available.
Keep your booking confirmation handy. These phrases help you ask; check-in arrangements depend on your accommodation.
- Ask about deposit, breakfast times, Wi-Fi and checkout before unpacking.
- If the room has a problem, show a photo and ask staff to come upstairs.
- Some properties have different policies for foreign guests; ask calmly if unsure.
I have a reservation.
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
我有预订。
I would like to check in.
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
我想办理入住。
Here is my passport.
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
这是我的护照。
What time is check-out?
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
几点退房？
Could you store my luggage?
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
可以帮我寄存行李吗？
What is the Wi-Fi password?
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
Wi-Fi密码是多少？
05 / ON YOUR TRIP
Paying & shopping
Mobile payment is common, but acceptance and connectivity vary. Ask first, then show the QR code or card instead of guessing which code to scan.
Ask which payment methods the merchant accepts. These are language examples, not a guarantee that a card or app will work.
- Keep a backup card or some cash and charge your phone.
- Confirm the amount before tapping or scanning.
- Ask for a receipt when you need it for expenses or a refund.
How much is this?
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
这个多少钱？
Can I pay by card?
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
可以刷卡吗？
Can I pay in cash?
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
可以付现金吗？
Can I pay with Alipay?
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
可以用支付宝吗？
Do I scan your code?
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
我扫您的码吗？
The payment did not go through.
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
支付没有成功。
Could I have a receipt?
A purchase receipt; a tax invoice is called 发票 (fāpiào).
可以给我小票吗？
06 / ON YOUR TRIP
When you need help
A short, clear request works best when stressed. If there is a medical or safety emergency, ask a nearby worker, hotel desk or police officer to call the appropriate service.
Use a short request first. If you cannot understand the reply, show “Could you type it on my phone?”
- 120 is ambulance, 110 is police and 119 is fire.
- Give a landmark, hotel name or map pin rather than a long English explanation.
- For urgent allergies or symptoms, seek professional medical help immediately.
Where is the restroom?
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
洗手间在哪里？
Could you help me?
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
能帮我一下吗？
I’m lost.
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
我迷路了。
My phone is out of battery.
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
我的手机没电了。
I lost my passport.
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
我的护照丢了。
Please call the police.
Use this when you need a quick, natural request in this situation.
请帮我报警。