At the restaurant, shopping, asking for directions, at the airport. Real dialogues with practical vocabulary for situations you'll actually encounter.
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在餐厅 zài cāntīng — At the restaurant
Ordering food is one of the greatest pleasures of being in China. Here's how to do it confidently.
我要… wǒ yào
· woh yow
I want...
我要一碗面。
请给我… qǐng gěi wǒ
· ching gay woh
please give me...
请给我菜单。
有什么推荐 yǒu shénme tuījiàn
· yoh shun-muh tway-jyen
any recommendations?
有什么推荐的？
不要辣的 bú yào là de
· boo yow lah duh
not spicy please
我不要辣的。
太好吃了 tài hǎochī le
· tai how-chih luh
so delicious!
这个太好吃了！
买单 mǎidān
· mai-dahn
check please
服务员，买单！
In China, it's common to order many dishes to share at the table. Say 够了 gòu le (that's enough) when you've ordered enough. Tipping is NOT expected!
Nǐ hǎo! Qǐng gěi wǒ càidān. Yǒu shénme tuījiàn?
Hello! Menu please. Any recommendations?
Zhè ge tài hǎochī le! Fúwùyuán, mǎidān!
This is so delicious! Waiter, check please!
买东西 mǎi dōngxi — Shopping
From markets to malls, haggling to WeChat Pay — shopping in Chinese.
多少钱 duōshao qián
· dwoh-show chyen
how much?
这个多少钱？
太贵了 tài guì le
· tai gway luh
too expensive!
太贵了，便宜一点！
可以便宜吗 kěyǐ piányi ma
· kuh-yee pyen-yee mah
can you make it cheaper?
可以便宜一点吗？
我要这个 wǒ yào zhè ge
· woh yow juh guh
I want this one
我要这个。
大/小 dà/xiǎo
· dah/shyow
big/small
有没有大一点的？
可以试试吗 kěyǐ shìshi ma
· kuh-yee shih-shih mah
can I try it?
可以试试吗？
In Chinese markets, haggling is expected! Start by offering 50-60% of the asking price. Use 太贵了！ (too expensive!) and 便宜一点吧 (make it cheaper). Walk away if they won't budge — they'll often call you back!
Zhè ge duōshao qián? — Wǔshí kuài. — Tài guì le!
How much? — 50 yuan. — Too expensive!
Kěyǐ piányi yīdiǎn ma? — Sānshí kuài ba.
Can it be cheaper? — How about 30 yuan.
问路 wèn lù — Asking for Directions
Navigate Chinese cities with confidence. GPS helps, but these phrases are essential.
…在哪里 zài nǎlǐ
· dzai nah-lee
where is...?
地铁站在哪里？
一直走 yīzhí zǒu
· ee-jih dzow
go straight
一直走，然后左拐。
左拐 zuǒ guǎi
· dzwoh gwai
turn left
请左拐。
右拐 yòu guǎi
· yoh gwai
turn right
前面右拐。
地铁站 dìtiě zhàn
· dee-tyeh jahn
subway station
最近的地铁站在哪里？
远/近 yuǎn/jìn
· ywahn/jin
far/near
远不远？
打车 dǎ chē
· dah chuh
take a taxi
我们打车吧。
In China, 打车 dǎ chē (take a taxi) is extremely common and cheap. You can use apps like DiDi (Chinese Uber). For subway, say 地铁 dìtiě. Show the address in Chinese characters on your phone!
Qǐngwèn, dìtiě zhàn zài nǎlǐ? 请问，地铁站在哪里？
Excuse me, where is the subway station?
Yīzhí zǒu, ránhòu zuǒ guǎi. 一直走，然后左拐。
Go straight, then turn left.
在机场 zài jīchǎng — At the Airport
Essential phrases for navigating Chinese airports and travel situations.
机场 jīchǎng
· jee-chahng
airport
去机场。
航班 hángbān
· hahng-bahn
flight
我的航班是CA123。
护照 hùzhào
· hoo-jow
passport
这是我的护照。
登机口 dēngjī kǒu
· dung-jee koh
boarding gate
登机口在哪里？
请问 qǐngwèn
· ching-wen
excuse me (polite)
请问，洗手间在哪里？
出口 chūkǒu
· choo-koh
exit
出口在哪里？
At Chinese airports, 请问 qǐngwèn (may I ask) is the polite way to start any question. Always carry your passport — you need it for domestic flights too! Signs are usually bilingual.