Travel Chinese Phrase Cheat Sheet: 50 Essential Mandarin Phrases

🚇

Getting Around

交通 · Jiāotōng

7 phrases

Chinese	English	Usage note
请到… Qǐng dào…	Please take me to… (+ place name)	Say this to any taxi or DiDi driver. Add the place name after 到.taxi
在这里停。 Zài zhèlǐ tíng.	Stop here.	Essential for taxis when you can see your destination.
怎么去…？ Zěnme qù…?	How do I get to…?	Follow with a place name. Works for directions on foot or by metro.directions
去…多少钱？ Qù… duōshǎo qián?	How much to go to…?	Ask before you get in if the driver looks uncertain.
打表。 Dǎ biǎo.	Use the meter.	Say this immediately when the driver doesn't start the meter.taxi
下一站是什么站？ Xià yī zhàn shì shénme zhàn?	What is the next stop?	Useful on buses or when metro announcements are unclear.
我要买一张票。 Wǒ yào mǎi yī zhāng piào.	I'd like to buy a ticket.	For train stations or tourist sites. 张 (zhāng) is the measure word for flat items like tickets.trains

🍜

Ordering Food

点菜 · Diǎn cài

7 phrases

Chinese	English	Usage note
我要这个。 Wǒ yào zhège.	I'll have this one.	Point at the menu or photo. Works everywhere without knowing dish names.beginner-safe
不辣，谢谢。 Bù là, xièxiè.	Not spicy, please.	Critical in Sichuan, Hunan, or anywhere in the south. Say it before they start cooking.
有没有…？ Yǒu méiyǒu…?	Do you have…?	Add the food item after 有没有. Works for vegetarian (素食 sùshí) or allergen checks.
好吃！ Hǎo chī!	Delicious!	Simple compliment that locals love to hear. 好喝 (hǎo hē) for drinks.social
再来一份。 Zài lái yī fèn.	Another portion of the same, please.	再 means "again / more." Works for food, drinks, anything you want repeated.
买单！ Mǎi dān!	Bill, please!	Standard across all of China. Raise your hand and say this.essential
可以分开付吗？ Kěyǐ fēnkāi fù ma?	Can we pay separately?	Splitting bills is common. Ask before the total is rung up.

🏨

Hotels & Check-in

住宿 · Zhùsù

6 phrases

Chinese	English	Usage note
我有预订。 Wǒ yǒu yùdìng.	I have a reservation.	Say this at reception. They will ask for your passport (护照 hùzhào).check-in
WiFi 密码是什么？ WiFi mìmǎ shì shénme?	What is the WiFi password?	The most universally asked question in any Chinese hotel or café.
可以换房间吗？ Kěyǐ huàn fángjiān ma?	Can I change rooms?	Polite and direct. Explain the problem after: 太吵了 (too noisy), 有异味 (bad smell).
热水不热。 Rè shuǐ bú rè.	The hot water isn't hot.	Pattern: [thing] + 不 + [adjective]. Swap 热水 for 空调 (air-con), 灯 (light), 电视 (TV).
我要退房。 Wǒ yào tuì fáng.	I'd like to check out.	Say this at reception. Standard check-out time is noon (中午十二点 zhōngwǔ shí'èr diǎn).
可以存行李吗？ Kěyǐ cún xíngli ma?	Can I store my luggage?	Useful after checkout while you explore for a few more hours.check-out

🛍️

Shopping & Markets

购物 · Gòuwù

6 phrases

Chinese	English	Usage note
多少钱？ Duōshǎo qián?	How much is it?	The single most useful phrase in any market. Learn to understand the numbers that follow.essential
太贵了！ Tài guì le!	Too expensive!	First response when bargaining. Say it with feeling. The vendor expects it.bargaining
能便宜点吗？ Néng piányí diǎn ma?	Can you lower the price a bit?	Polite counter-offer opener. Follow with a number if they agree to negotiate.
我出…元。 Wǒ chū… yuán.	I offer… yuan.	State your price. Start at about 40–50% of the asking price in tourist markets.bargaining
可以试穿吗？ Kěyǐ shì chuān ma?	Can I try it on?	For clothing. 试 means "to try." They will always say yes.
不要了，谢谢。 Bú yào le, xièxiè.	I don't want it, thank you.	Clean, polite way to walk away from pushy sellers. Smile and keep moving.

🏛️

Sights & Tourism

旅游 · Lǚyóu

5 phrases

Chinese	English	Usage note
几点开门？ Jǐ diǎn kāimén?	What time does it open?	几点 = what time. Swap 开门 for 关门 to ask closing time. Works at any attraction.
票价是多少？ Piào jià shì duōshǎo?	What is the entrance fee?	Many major sites in China now require advance booking through WeChat or local apps.
可以拍照吗？ Kěyǐ pāizhào ma?	Can I take a photo?	Always ask in temples, museums and private spaces. Most people say yes and enjoy it.etiquette
这是什么？ Zhè shì shénme?	What is this?	Works for objects, signs, dishes, anything. Simple and gets you far.
我们能一起拍照吗？ Wǒmen néng yīqǐ pāizhào ma?	Can we take a photo together?	Foreigners asking this in Chinese always gets a great reaction. A guaranteed memory.social

🤝

Social & Greetings

社交 · Shèjiāo

6 phrases

Chinese	English	Usage note
你好！ Nǐ hǎo!	Hello!	Standard greeting. 你好吗 (How are you?) is more formal; most people just say 你好.essential
谢谢！ Xièxiè!	Thank you!	You will use this dozens of times per day. 不客气 (bù kèqi) means "you're welcome."
我是…人。 Wǒ shì… rén.	I am from… (+ country/city)	荷兰人 (Dutch), 美国人 (American), 英国人 (British), 澳大利亚人 (Australian).
我的中文不好。 Wǒ de Zhōngwén bù hǎo.	My Chinese isn't very good.	Saying this in Chinese always makes people smile and try harder to help.icebreaker
请说慢一点。 Qǐng shuō màn yīdiǎn.	Please speak more slowly.	Critical when you understand the words but not the speed. People are always happy to slow down.
加个微信吧！ Jiā gè Wēixìn ba!	Let's connect on WeChat!	WeChat is how Chinese people stay in touch. This phrase will get you real connections.social

📱

Payments & Tech

支付 · Zhīfù

6 phrases

Chinese	English	Usage note
可以用微信付吗？ Kěyǐ yòng Wēixìn fù ma?	Can I pay with WeChat Pay?	WeChat Pay and Alipay are the dominant payment methods in China. Set them up before you go.essential
可以刷卡吗？ Kěyǐ shuā kǎ ma?	Can I pay by card?	Cards are less common in smaller shops and markets. Always have some cash (现金 xiànjīn) ready.
扫码付款。 Sǎo mǎ fùkuǎn.	Pay by scanning the QR code.	A vendor might say this to you. 扫码 = scan code, 付款 = make payment.vocab
有发票吗？ Yǒu fāpiào ma?	Can I get a receipt?	发票 is the official tax invoice. For a simple receipt, 收据 (shōujù) is also used.
能充电吗？ Néng chōngdiàn ma?	Can I charge my phone here?	Very useful in cafés, stations, and restaurants. Chinese outlets use the same standard as the US (Type A).
有共享充电宝吗？ Yǒu gòngxiǎng chōngdiànbǎo ma?	Do you have a shared power bank?	Portable charger rental stations are everywhere in China. Pay via WeChat.china-specific

🚑

Emergencies & Help

紧急情况 · Jǐnjí qíngkuàng

7 phrases

Chinese	English	Usage note
救命！ Jiùmìng!	Help! (emergency)	Urgent call for help in a dangerous situation. 救 = save, 命 = life.emergency
我迷路了。 Wǒ mí lù le.	I'm lost.	Most likely to be needed. Locals will almost always try to help, even with limited English.
请叫救护车。 Qǐng jiào jiùhùchē.	Please call an ambulance.	Emergency numbers in China: 120 for medical, 110 for police, 119 for fire.
我需要看医生。 Wǒ xūyào kàn yīshēng.	I need to see a doctor.	International hospitals in major cities usually have English-speaking staff. Ask for 国际部 (guójì bù).
我的护照丢了。 Wǒ de hùzhào diū le.	I've lost my passport.	Go to the nearest police station (派出所 pàichūsuǒ) for a report, then your embassy.
有人会说英语吗？ Yǒu rén huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma?	Does anyone speak English?	Useful in hospitals, police stations, or anywhere you need to communicate beyond your Chinese.
请帮我联系大使馆。 Qǐng bāng wǒ liánxì dàshǐguǎn.	Please help me contact my embassy.	In a serious emergency, authorities are obligated to help you reach your embassy.