50 Essential Chinese Phrases for Beginners

The most useful Mandarin phrases for greetings, food, shopping and getting around, with pinyin and meanings.

These are the most useful Mandarin phrases for travel and beginners. Say each one aloud three times, then use it within a day.

Greetings

• 你好 (nǐ hǎo): hello
• 谢谢 (xièxie): thank you
• 不客气 (bú kèqi): you are welcome
• 对不起 (duìbuqǐ): sorry
• 再见 (zàijiàn): goodbye
• 请 (qǐng): please

About yourself

• 我叫… (wǒ jiào…): my name is…
• 我不会说中文 (wǒ bú huì shuō Zhōngwén): I cannot speak Chinese
• 请说慢一点 (qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn): please speak slower
• 我不明白 (wǒ bù míngbai): I do not understand

Food

• 我想要这个 (wǒ xiǎng yào zhège): I would like this
• 不要辣 (búyào là): not spicy, please
• 我吃素 (wǒ chī sù): I am vegetarian
• 买单 (mǎidān): the bill, please

Shopping

• 多少钱 (duōshao qián): how much?
• 太贵了 (tài guì le): too expensive
• 可以刷卡吗 (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma): can I pay by card?

Getting around

• 洗手间在哪里 (xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ): where is the restroom?
• 地铁站在哪里 (dìtiě zhàn zài nǎlǐ): where is the subway station?
• 请帮帮我 (qǐng bāngbang wǒ): please help me

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