As a traveler to China, you don't have to bother yourself learning about tones, how to pronounce words properly and what not. Through experience, first as a foreigner here, and now as someone being localized, I can tell you that when the locals do not seem to understand what you are saying (considering the fact that you are pronouncing the words properly, but with wrong tones), it is probably because they aren't expecting Chinese to be coming out of your mouth! And maybe tones are important, but for very simple words travelers would need, tone problems can be pretty much negligible.

Pay attention to the pronunciations in brackets, and read them as though you would read them if they were English.

1.Ni hao! (knee how)- Hello!

2.Ni hao ma? (knee how ma) How are you? (Then again if you were a traveler and asked this question, you might not have a clue what their answer means!)

3.Wo hen hao (woh hun how)- I'm very well (thanks).

4. duo shao qian? (dwo shaoh chyen)? - how much (money) -For foreigners normally you don't have to worry because they will show you a calculator with the price on it or they can write it down, and you can write back whatever you are willing to buy something for. Be sure if you go to a place where you can bargain, to bring it down to a price that's pushing it and shocking for yourself. What sounds cheap for you, might still be a rip off.

5. jiu ming a! (jo ming a) Help! (if you're in danger)

6. qing bang wo yixia (ching bang woh e siyah) Please help me (as a favour, inquiry etc)

7. xiexie (syeh-syeh) Thanks

8. dianhua (dyen hwa) phone

9. pianyi dianr ba (pyenyi dyar ba)- make it cheaper

10.Wo ai ni (woh ahy knee)- I love you

Note that when you are reading the English pronunciations, try to read it relatively fast. Chinese is a fast language and lingering on a syllable can prove to make no sense to the listener!

Learn more about this author, Super Loser.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Key phrases in Chinese that travelers should know?
We want to hear your view. Write now!