by Lian Slayford-Wei

Created on: April 02, 2010

Key Phrases in Chinese Travellers Should Know

China is one of the most popular tourist destinations for international travellers. Beijing offers the chance to see the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall and many other great places to visit. As with all destinations, it is best to know at least a few basic phrases in Mandarin Chinese that will not only help you get around but endear you to the Chinese people who love to talk with western people.

Hello – Ni hao (nee how). A more casual way is to say ‘wei’ (way).

Good morning – Zao (dzaow)

Goodnight – Wan an (wahn ahn)

Please – Qing (cheeng)

Thank you – Xiexie (shyeh shyeh)

Excuse me – Duibuqi (dway boo chee)

I don’t understand – Wo budong (waw boo doong)

Do you speak English – Ni hui shuo Yingyu ma? (nee hway shwaw eeng yew mah)

How much is this? Zheige duoshao qian? (jay guh dwaw shaow chyan)

Where is the bathroom? Cesuo zai nar? (tsuh swaw dzye nar)

Could you repeat that please? Qing ni zai shuo yici? (cheeng nee dzye shawa ee tsuh)

Could you please talk more slowly? Qing ni shuo man yidiar? (cheeng nee shwaw mahn ee dyar)

Help! Jiu ming! (jyo meeng)

I am sick – Wo bing le (waw beeng luh)

I’m lost – Wo milu le (waw mee loo luh)

Bon appetite! Man chi or man man chi (mahn chir or mahn mahn chir)

Can you recommend some dishes? Ni gei women jieshao cai hao ma? (nee gay waw men jyeh shaow tsye how ma)

What is the chef’s special? Da shifu nashou cai shi shenme? (dah shir foo nah show tsye shir shummuh)

I didn’t order this – Wo mei jiao zheige (waw may jyaow jay guh)

That’s too expensive! Can you give me a discount? Na tai guile! Ni neng buneng da she? (nah tye gway luh! Nee nung boo nung dah juh?

What time does the museum close? Bowuguan jidian zhong kaimen? (baw woo gwahn jee dyan joong kye mun)

What credit cards do you accept? Nimen jieshou shenme xinyong ka? (nee men jyeh show shummuh sheen young kah)

Is there a shuttle to the airport? You meiyou qu feijichang de banche? (yo mayo chyew fay jee chahng duh ban chuh).

It is always best to know some numbers. Here are the ones you are mostly likely to need to know.

0 ling (leeng)

1 yi (ee)

2 er (are)

3 san (sahn)

4 si (suh)

5 wu (woo)

6 liu (lyo)

7 qi (chee)

8 ba (bah)

9 jiu (jyoe)

10 shi (shir)

20 ershi (are shir)

30 sanshi (sahn shir)

40 sishi (suh shir)

50 wushi (woo shir)

60 liushi (lyo shir)

70 qishi (chee shir)

80 bashi (bah shir)

90 jiushi (jyoe shir)

100 yi bai (ee bye)

1,000 yi qian (ee chyan)

10,000 yi wan (ee wahn)

100,000 shi wan (shir wahn)

1,000,000 yi bai wan (ee bye wahn)

100,000,000 yi yi (ee ee)

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