10 useful words and phrases for first-timers in China
Robert Qiu
Last Update 4 jaar geleden
Travelling for the first time to another country can always be both an exciting and overwhelming experience. Dealing with a new language should be one of your main problems, as not being able to communicate efficiently will make everything harder.
If you are coming to China for the first time, we recommend you to at least learn some handy words and phrases that most will surely need to use. Here are the 10 we think are the most useful for beginners:
- “Nǐ hǎo ma?” (“你好吗?”)
This is a classic that almost everyone knows. It means “Are you ok?” or “How are you?”, but more frequently you will hear from Chinese people just “Nǐ hǎo” (“你好”), which is the most basic way to salute as it means “Hello”.
2. Hǎo (好) / bùhǎo (不好)
好 means good and 不好 not good; so after hearing a “你好吗?”, you could use one of these two as a simple reply. Now, if you combine these two as in “Hǎobùhǎo?” (“好不好?”), you are asking “Is it ok?”.
3. Xièxie (谢谢)
Most basic and simple way to say thank you in Chinese.
4. Duìbuqǐ (对不起)
After making a mistake, use 对不起 to apologize; means “I’m sorry”.
5. “Zhè shì shénme?” (“这是什么?”)
This one is specially useful when you are trying to figure out what that delicious plate in front of you is. This phrase is used to ask what something is. A breakdown of it: Zhè (this), shì (is), and shénme (what); meaning “What is this?”.
6. “Yǒuméiyǒu …?” (“有没有 …?”)
“Do you have…?”: use this to ask for something you need; for instance, ask for napkins in a restaurant “Yǒuméiyǒuzhǐjīn?” (“有没有纸巾?”). 有 (have), 没有 (don’t have), 纸巾 (napkins).
7. “Duōshaoqián?” (“多少钱?”)
Like to go shopping? If you are visiting local flea markets, sometimes you will find some items without price tags; use this phrase to ask for the price. Duōshao (how much) qián (money). Once you dominate this, it’s time to bargain.
8. “... zài nǎlǐ?” (“…在哪里?”)
If you are not sure on how to get to a certain place, use 在哪里? to ask for directions. Beware that you need to mention the place’s name before the phrase, so it will come in handy if you have the address or a map to show before you ask.
9. “Wǒ xiǎng qù…” (“我想去 …”)
This is an alternative for asking directions. It means: 我 (I), 想 (want), 去 (go).
10. Cèsuǒ (厕所)
Well, an emergency can happen anywhere and anytime. If you need to find a bathroom, ask for a 厕所. Combine it with phrase #8 or #9, and you are set to go.