Classic Topics Essential for Foreigners’ Survival in China

1. How to Use Basic Chinese Greetings and Introduce Yourself?

(1)你好(nǐhǎo)！ Hello!
(2)我叫桑德兰(wǒjiàosāngdélán)。
My name is Sandra.
(3)你是哪国人(nǐshìnǎguórén)？
What’s your nationality?
(4)我是奥地利人(wǒshìàodìlìrén)。
I am Austrian.
(5)我不是大学生(wǒbùshìdàxuéshēng)。
I am not a university student.
(6)我不会说汉语(wǒbúhuìshuōhànyǔ)。 I don’t speak Chinese.
(7)我会说英语(wǒhuìshuōyīngyǔ)。
I can speak English.
(8)我喜欢吃中国菜(wǒxǐhuanchīzhōngguócài)。
I like Chinese food.
(9)你(nǐ)是(shì)第(dì)一(yī)次(cì)来(lái)重(chóng)庆(qìng)吗(ma)？
Is this your first time in chongqing?
(10)你(nǐ)去(qù)过(guò)广(guǎng)安(ān)吗(ma)？
Have you been to Guang An
(11)你住哪儿(nǐzhùnǎer)？
Where do you live?
(12)可以告诉我你的电话号码吗?(kěyǐgàosùwǒnǐdediànhuàháomǎma)？
Could you tell me your telephone number?
(13)我的电话是(wǒdediànhuàshì)60728915。
My telephone number is 60728915.
(13)认识你很高兴(rènshinǐhěngāoxìng)。
I’m pleased to meet you.
(14)我也很高兴(wǒyěhěngāoxìng)。再见(zàijiàn)！
I’m pleased to meet you, too. Bye!
(15)你(nǐ)好(hǎo)！ Hello
再(zài)见(jiàn)！ Goodbye
谢(xiè)谢(xiè)！ Thanks
不(bú)客(kè)气(qì)！ You’re welcome!
对(duì)不(bu)起(qǐ)！ I am sorry
没(méi)关(guān)系(xi)！Don’t mention it.

2. How to Order Food and Pay the Bill in Chinese

(1)你们吃什么(nǐmenchīshénme)？
What would you like to eat?
(2)有西兰花吗(yǒuxīlánhuāma)？
Do you have broccoli?
(3)这里面是什么(zhèlǐmiànshìshénme)？ What’s inside?
(4)要这个(yàozhège)。
I want this (one).
(5)要两瓶啤酒(yàoliǎngpíngpíjiǔ)，三碗米饭(sānwǎnmǐfàn)。
I would like two bottles of beer and three bowls of rice.
(6)米(mǐ)饭(fàn)跟(gēn)菜(cài)一(yì)起(qǐ)上(shàng)。
I would like to have the dishes served along with the rice.
(7)还要什么(háiyàoshénme)？
Anything else?
(8)就要这些(jiùyàozhèxiē)。
That is all I want.
(9)不要了(búyàole)。
I don’t want anything else.
(10)我们不吃肉(wǒmenbúchīròu)。
We don’t eat meat.
(11)再来一瓶可乐(zàiláiyīpíngkělè)！
One more cola, please!
(12)请等一下儿(qǐngděngyīxiàer)。
Wait a minute, please.
(13)买单(mǎidān)！
The bill, please!
(14)要发票(yàofāpiào)。
I would like a receipt.
(15)可以打包吗(kěyǐdǎbāoma)？
Can you pack the leftover food for me?

3. How to Shop and Make Purchases in Chinese

(1)您要买什么(nínyàomǎishénme)？
What would you like (to buy)?
(2)我看看(wǒkànkan)。
I’m just having a look.
(3)这个多少钱(zhègeduōshǎoqián)？
How much is this?
(4)打折吗(dǎshéma)？
Is there any discount?
(5)太贵了(tàiguìle)！
It’s too expensive!
(6)便宜一点儿行吗(piányiyìdiǎnerxíngma)？
Could you give me a reduction?
(7)是不是真丝的(shìbushìzhēnsīde)？
Is it pure silk?
(8)有大一点儿的吗(yǒudàyìdiǎnerdema)？
Do you have a larger one?
(9)还有别的颜色的吗(háiyǒubiédeyánsèdema)？
Do you have it in any other colors?
(10)你穿多大的(nǐchuānduōdàde)?
What size do you take?
(11)有没有更好的(yǒumeiyǒugènghǎode)?
Have you get a nicer one?
(12)能换一个吗(nénghuànyígèma)?
Could you let me see another one?
(13)这(zhè)是(shì)什(shén)么(me)材(cái)料(liào)的(de)?
What is made of?
(14)我喜欢这条裤子(wǒxǐhuanzhètiáokùzǐ)。
I like this trouser.
(15)可以试试吗(kěyǐshìshìma)？
May I try it on?

4. How to Take a Taxi Using Chinese

(1)你要去哪儿(nǐyàoqùnǎer)？
Where are you going?
(2)去(qù)超(chāo)市(shì)。
I’m going to supermarket.
(3)请开一下后备箱(qǐngkāiyíxiàhòubèixiāng)。
Please open the trunk
(4)你(nǐ)知(zhī)道(dào)怎(zěn)么(me)去(qù)西(xī)南(nán)大(dà)学(xué)吗(ma)？
Do you know how to get to the Southwest University?
(5)请快一点(qǐngkuàiyìdiǎn)。
Please go a little faster.
(6)我有急事(wǒyǒujíshì)。
I’m in a hurry
(7)请(qǐng)你(nǐ)不(bú)要(yào)太(tài)快(kuài)，我(wǒ)害(hài)怕(pà)。
Please don’t go too fast, I’m scared.
(8)大(dà)概(gài)要(yào)多(duō)长(cháng)时(shí)间(jiān)？
Roughly how long does it take?
(9)四(sì)点(diǎn)能(néng)到(dào)吗(ma)？ Can we arrive by 4 o’clock?
(10)你(nǐ)能(néng)停(tíng)一(yí)下(xià)吗(ma)？
Can you stop for a short while?
(11)你能等我十分钟吗(nǐnéngděngwǒshífēnzhōngma)？
Can you wait for me about 10 minutes？
(12)你有一块钱吗(nǐyǒuyīkuàiqiánma)？
So you have one Yuan?
(13)去飞机场多少钱(qùfēijīchǎngduōshǎoqián)？
How much does it cost to get to the airport?
(14)到了(dàole)，下车吧(xiàchēba)！
Here we are. You may get out.
(15)对不起(duìbuqǐ)，我没带零钱(wǒméidàilíngqián)。
Sorry, I do not have any small change on me.

5. How to Ask for Directions in Chinese?

(1)请问(qǐngwèn)，邮局在哪儿(yóujúzàinǎer)？
Excuse me, where is the post office?
(2)怎(zěn)么(me)去(qù)解(jiě)放(fàng)碑(bēi)
How do we get to the Jiefangbei?
(3)厕(cè)所(suǒ)在(zài)什(shén)么(me)地(dì)方(fāng)？
Where is the washroom?
(4)这儿附近有饭馆吗(zhèerfùjìnyǒufànguǎnma)？
Are there any restaurants near here?
(5)哪儿有网吧(nǎeryǒuwǎngbā)？
Where can we find an Internet bar?
(6)哪儿可以发传真(nǎerkěyǐfāchuánzhēn)？
Where can I send a fax?
(7)去(qù)图(tú)书(shū)馆(guǎn)怎(zěn)么(me)走(zǒu)？
How can I get to library?
(8)这(zhè)趟(tàng)车(chē)去(qù)不(bù)去(qù)机(jī)场(chǎng)？
Does this bus go to airport?
(9)向前走(xiàngqiánzǒu)。
Go straight ahead.
(10)往左拐(wǎngzuǒguǎi)。
Turn left.
(11)你得去马路对面上车(nǐdéqùmǎlùduìmiànshàngchē)。
You have to cross the road to take the bus。
(12)这是什么地方(zhèshìshénmedìfāng)？ What place is this?
(13)我们现在在哪儿(wǒmenxiànzàizàinǎer)？
Where are we now?
(14)这边还是那边(zhèbiānháishìnàbiān)？
This side or the other side?
(15) 去(qù)缙(jìn)云(yún)山(shān)在(zài)哪(nǎ)里(li)下(xià)车(chē)？
Where do I get off for YinYun Mountain?

6. How to Inquire About the Time in Chinese

(1)现在几点(xiànzàijǐdiǎn)？
What time is it now?
(2)今天几号(jīntiānjǐhào)？
What is the date today?
(3)明天星期几(míngtiānxīngqījǐ)？
What day is tomorrow?
(4)你什么时候有空儿(nǐshénmeshíhòuyǒukònger)？
When do you have free time?
(5)周末我没有时间(zhōumòwǒméiyǒushíjiān)。
I do not have free time at the weekend.
(6)你们从几点到几点上班(nǐmencóngjǐdiǎndàojǐdiǎnshàng)？
When do you start and finish work?
(7)我明天九点来找你(wǒmíngtiānjiǔdiǎnláizhǎonǐ)。
Tomorrow at nine o’clock I’ll come to meet you.
(8)请你今天晚上八点以后给我打电话(qǐngnǐjīntiānwǎnshangbādiǎnyǐ)。
Please give me a telephone call after 8 p.m this evening.
(9)你等了多久了(nǐděngleduōjiǔle)？
How long have you been waiting?
(10)我们在这儿学习一个月(wǒmenzàizhèerxuéxíyígèyuè)。
We will study here for one month.
(11)火车几点开(huǒchējǐdiǎnkāi)？
What time dose the train leave?
(12)飞机什么时候起飞(fēijīshénmeshíhòuqǐfēi)？
When dose the plane take off?
(13)明天几点到上海(míngtiānjǐdiǎndàoshànghǎi)？
What time will you arrive in Shanghai tomorrow?
(14)你们哪天回国(nǐmennǎtiānhuíguó)？
When will you return to your country?
(15)你打算什么时候再来(nǐdǎsuanshénmeshíhòuzàilái)？
When do you intend to come back?

7. How to Send Items Using Chinese

(1)我要寄一封信(wǒyàojìyīfēngxìn)。 I would like to send a letter.
(2)挂号信还是平信(guàhàoxìnháishìpíngxìn)？
Is it a registered or surface letter?
(3)寄到美国要多少钱(jìdàoměiguóyàoduōshǎoqián)？
How much does it cost to send it to America?
(4)买五张八毛的邮票(mǎiwǔzhāngbāmáodeyóupiào)。
I want to buy five 8-mao stamps.
(5)寄一张明信片多少钱(jìyīzhāngmíngxìnpiànduōshǎoqi)？
How much dose it cost to send a postcard?
(6)到奥地利(dàoàodìlì)，不是澳大利亚(búshìàodàlìyà)。
Please send it to Austria, not Australia.
(7)这儿能寄包裹吗(zhèernéngjìbāoguǒma)？
Can I send parcels here?
(8)里面是礼物(lǐmiànshìlǐwù)。 There are presents inside it.
(9)还用看吗(háiyòngkànma)？ Do you still need to check it?
(10)打开看一下(dǎkāikànyíxià)。
Please open it and let me have a look.
(11)有好看的邮票吗(yǒuhǎokàndeyóupiàoma)？
Do you have any beautiful stamps?
(12)特快专递得多少钱(tèkuàizhuāndìdéduōshǎoqián)？
How much is it by express delivery?
(13)什(shén)么(me)时(shí)候(hòu)能(néng)到(dào)？
When will it be delivered?
(14)给我一张包裹单(gěiwǒyīzhāngbāoguǒdān)。
Give me a parcel form, please.
(15)我们这儿得邮政编码是多少(wǒmenzhèerdéyóuzhèngbiānmǎshì)？
What is the post code of this area?

8. How to Make a Phone Call in Chinese

(1)喂(wèi)，找谁(zhǎoshuí)？
Hello! Who are you looking for?
(2)请(qǐng)问(wèn)，桑(sāng)德(dé)拉(lá)在(zài)吗(ma)？
Excuse me, is Sandra there?
(3)她现在不在(tāxiànzàibùzài)。
She is not here right now.
(4)你打(nǐdǎ)60437852。
Call the number 60437852.
(5)打错了(dǎcuòle)。
You’ve got the wrong number.
(6)占线(zhànxiàn)。
The line is busy.
(7)没人接(méirénjiē)。
Nobody answered.
(8)大堂吗(dàtángma)？请接(qǐngjiē)912房间(fángjiān)。
Is that reception? Please put me through to Room 912.
(9)能转告他吗(néngzhuǎngàotāma)？
Can you take a message?
(10)可以留言吗(kěyǐliúyánma)？
Can I leave a message?
(11)请他给我回电话(qǐngtāgěiwǒhuídiànhuà)。号码是(hàomǎshì)……
Ask him to call me back. My number is …
(12)请你过一会儿再打来(qǐngnǐguòyìhuìerzàidǎlái)。
Please call again in a few minutes.
(13)我听不见(wǒtīngbùjiàn)。
I can’t hear you.
(14)请你大声点儿(qǐngnǐdàshēngdiǎnér)。 Louder, please.
(15)你可以打他的手机(nǐkěyǐdǎtādeshǒujī)，号(hào)码(mǎ)是(shì)……
You may call him on his mobile phone. The number is

9. How to ask for help in Chinese?

(1)对不起(duìbuqǐ)，我要下车(wǒyàoxiàchē)。
Excuse me, I want to get off.
(2)你能帮我一个忙吗(nǐnéngbāngwǒyígèmángma)？
Can you do me a favor?
(3)麻烦你帮帮我吧(máfannǐbāngbāngwǒba)！
Could you help me?
(4)你有什么事(nǐyǒushénmeshì)？
What can I do for you?
(5)你怎么了(nǐzěnmele)？
What’s the matter?
(6)请送我去医院(qǐngsòngwǒqùyīyuàn)。
Please take me to the hospital.
(7)请帮我打(qǐngbāngwǒdǎ)110。
Please call the police on 110.
(8)快叫警察(kuàijiàojǐngchá)！
Call the police immediately!
(9)救命(jiùmìng)！
Help!
(10)怎么办(zěnmebàn)？
What can I do?
(11)我迷路了(wǒmílùle)。
I’m lost.
(12)我的车票丢了(wǒdechēpiàodiūle)。
I have lost may train/bus ticket.
(13)可以用一下你的电话吗(kěyǐyòngyíxiànǐdediànhuàma)？
May I use your telephone?
(14)你真是太好了(nǐzhēnshìtàihǎole)。 That’s very kind of you.
(15)非常感谢(fēichánggǎnxiè)！
Thank you very much indeed!

10. How to say goodbye in Chinese

(1)时间过得真快(shíjiānguòdézhēnkuài)。 Time dose fly.
(2)我们来跟您告别(wǒmenláigēnníngàobié)。
We have come to say goodbye to you.
(3)这是一个小礼物(zhèshìyígèxiǎolǐwù)，请收下(qǐngshōuxià)。
This is a small gift, please accept it.
(4)希(xī)望(wàng)你(nǐ)喜(xǐ)欢(huan)。 Hope you like it.
(5)你(nǐ)给(gěi)了(le)我(wǒ)很(hěn)多(duō)帮(bāng)助(zhù)。
You’ve given me a lot of help.
(6)感谢你为我们做的一切(gǎnxiènǐwéiwǒmenzuòdeyíqiè)。
Thank you for everything you have done for us.
(7)希望以后还能再见面(xīwàngyǐhòuháinéngzàijiànmiàn)。
Hope we’ll see each again.
(8)希望能再来这儿学习(xīwàngnéngzàiláizhèerxuéxí)。
I hope I can come here to study again.
(9)能给我您得联系地址吗(nénggěiwǒníndéliánxìdìzhǐma)？
Could you give me your address?
(10)你有电子邮件地址吗(nǐyǒudiànzǐyóujiàndìzhǐma)？
Do you have an e-mail address?
(11)你有机会来我国一定告诉我(nǐyǒujīhuìláiwǒguóyídìnggàosù)。
If you have a chance to come to my country, do let me know.
(12)请你一定给我写信(qǐngnǐyídìnggěiwǒxiěxìn)。
Please do write to me.
(13)我(wǒ)会(huì)想(xiǎng) 你(nǐ)的(de)。 I’ll miss you.
(14)保持联系(bǎochíliánxì)。
Keep in touch.
(15)友谊地久天长(yǒuyìdìjiǔtiāncháng)。
May our friendship last forever.

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