Are you thinking of taking a vacation to China or learning Mandarin? Learn these common Chinese words to facilitate and enhance your travel experience.
Why Learn Basic Chinese Phrases?
Image from istockphoto
Benefit | Description | Example Phrase |
|---|---|---|
Easy Navigation | Helps you find your way in unfamiliar places, like asking for directions or transport | "Where is the bathroom?" |
Cultural Respect | Shows respect for local culture and opens doors to friendly interactions | Simple greetings like "Hello" |
Richer Experiences | Makes daily activities like ordering food or shopping smoother and more enjoyable | "How much is this?" |
Avoid Confusion | Reduces communication barriers in restaurants, transport, and hotels | "I don’t understand." |
Build Friendships | Locals appreciate your effort, helping you connect and make friends | "Thank you." |
Types of Practical Chinese Expressions for Tourists
Image from istockphoto
A few basic Mandarin words will make your trip to China more enjoyable and run more smoothly. Whether you're ordering food, getting directions, or checking into a hotel, these essential phrases help you communicate more effectively and connect with others. These categorized travel phrases feature English translations and pronunciation, making them perfect for novice travelers or casual learners.
📘Quick Reference Table of Useful Chinese Travel Phrases
🗂 Category | 🈶 Phrase in Chinese | 💬 Pinyin | 🌍 English Translation | 💡 Trip.com Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
📍 Getting Around | 我要去地铁站。 | Wǒ yào qù dìtiě zhàn. | I want to go to the subway station. | Use Trip.com eSIM to check real-time metro maps and directions. |
这附近有公交车吗？ | Zhè fùjìn yǒu gōngjiāo chē ma? | Is there a bus nearby? | Use GPS with eSIM to locate nearby bus stops quickly. | |
🍜 Eating Out | 我吃素。 | Wǒ chī sù. | I’m vegetarian. | Screenshot this if you’re eating at street stalls or food courts. |
不要辣。 | Bù yào là. | No spicy, please. | Useful when dining in Sichuan or Hunan regions! | |
🏨 Hotels & Booking | 有空房吗？ | Yǒu kòng fáng ma? | Do you have any available rooms? | Book in advance on Trip.com, then confirm upon arrival with this phrase. |
我有预订。 | Wǒ yǒu yùdìng. | I have a reservation. | Show your Trip.com booking number for faster check-in. | |
🛍 Shopping | 可以便宜一点吗？ | Kěyǐ piányí yīdiǎn ma? | Can it be cheaper? | A must-have phrase for street markets or night bazaars. |
我只看看。 | Wǒ zhǐ kànkan. | I’m just looking. | Stay polite but firm—especially useful in tourist-heavy shops. |
Best Tools to Learn Chinese Phrases
🛠️ Tool | 📄 What It Does | 💡 Why It's Useful for Travelers |
|---|---|---|
Provides key Chinese phrases during hotel/flight bookings. | Learn phrases while booking; perfect for real-life travel situations. | |
Duolingo | A free, gamified app for learning Mandarin from scratch. | Great for beginners; short daily lessons make it easy to stay consistent. |
Pleco Dictionary | Offline Chinese-English dictionary with pronunciation, handwriting & flashcards. | Excellent on-the-go tool when Wi-Fi or eSIM access is limited. |
Google Translate | Translates text, voice, or images instantly; supports offline Chinese. | Ideal for menu reading, signage, and quick conversation help. |
HelloChinese | Mandarin learning app focused on speaking & grammar, with voice recognition. | Tailored for travelers looking to improve pronunciation and confidence. |
NO.1
Begin Your Mandarin Adventure with Trip.com—Detailed
Step 1: Schedule and Book Your Travel
From Beijing to Xi’an and beyond, use Trip.com to look for and reserve hotels, flights, and trains throughout China.
Step 2: Go to Phrase Guides in Chinese
- To help you prepare for your trip. Trip.com offers helpful Mandarin phrase guides from within the app or website.
Step 3: Get Your Travel eSIM
- Trip.com offers a local Chinese eSIM for purchase and activation, allowing dependable internet connection across China.
- Translate menus, signs, and conversations in real time by using your eSIM connection and Trip.com's integrated language tools.
China Entry Requirements & Things to Prepare
- 24/240 China Visa-Free Transit: US citizens can stay up to 240 hours in 54 Chinese cities without a China visa when transiting.
- China Plug & Power: China plug uses Type A/C/F (220V). Bring a Type A/C adapter (US plugs sometimes work, but bring a universal adapter for safety).
- Internet Access in China: You need a China VPN for Google/Ins/YT/X, etc. But you can also use China eSIM with built-in access to overseas apps!
Getting Around & Top Destinations in China
- China Metro Guides: Shanghai Metro | Beijing Metro | Guangzhou Metro | HK Metro
- China Airport Guides: Shanghai Airport | Beijing Airport | Guangzhou Airport | HK Airport Express
- China City Maps: Beijing Map | Guangzhou Map | Shanghai Map | HK Map
- Top Destinations in China: Shanghai Attractions (Disneyland, Bund) | Beijing Attractions (Forbidden City, Great Wall) | HK Attractions (HK Disneyland)
Must-Have Apps in China
- China Map App: I love to use Gaode Map (English supported) or Baidu Map (limited English) for real-time transit and traffic. Or you can still use Google Maps in China, but some data may be outdated.
- China Transport App: Use DiDi (China's Uber) for English address input and cashless payment. I recommend to use the DiDi mini-program in Alipay for more convenience.
- China Payment App: Use Alipay or WeChat Pay (link foreign cards before arrival).
- China Booking App: Trip.com for high-speed trains (China HSR Guide), China hotels/flights. Use Trip.com promo codes for USA users.
FAQs: Chinese Travel Phrases to Use on Your China Trip
Do I have to know Chinese in order to go in China?
No, but you'll have a much easier journey if you know a few important phrases. Knowing the basics of Mandarin facilitates daily communication, dining, and travel.Which Chinese phrases are the most helpful to tourists?
"多少钱？" (DuōshƎo qián?) — What is the price? "厕所在哪里？" (Cèsuƒ zài nƎlƐ?) — Where is the restroom located? "我听不懂。" (Wƒ tīng bù dƒng.) – I don't comprehend.What resources are available for learning Chinese travel idioms?
The following are helpful tools: The in-app translation functionality of Trip.com Translate with Google Pleco is an app for Chinese dictionaries. For organized instruction, use HelloChinese or Duolingo.