Simple Chinese language phrases to enhance your China trip (pinyin and pronunciation)

PinYin - English : pronunciation.

~ is used where there are two sounds in one syllable.

Ou[ch] means use the first sound of the word 'ouch'; same sound as ow[l].

***

Greetings

Nǐ Hǎo - Hello / Hi (literally, you good?) : nee how

Zài Jiàn - Goodbye / bye : z~eye jee~ann

HuānYíng (GuāngLín) - Welcome ! (You'll often hear this when enter a restaurant)

DaJia Hao ! - Hello everybody !

***

Introductions

Nǐ - you / your : nee

Wǒ - I / my : woh

What is your name? - Nǐ jiào shénme míngzì? : Nee j~ou[ch] shen mer ming zuh?

My name is ... - Wǒ de míngzì shì ... : Woh der ming zuh sh ...

***

XièXiè - : Thanks : shee~air shee~air (second is a little softer/quieter)

XièXiè Nǐ ! - Thank you! : shee~air shee~air nee!

***

DuìBuQǐ - Excuse me / sorry : der boo chee

BúKèQì - No problem / you're welcome : boo ker chee

Mei guan xi - No problem / you're welcome : may goo~ann shee

Qǐng - Please : ching

Mei / MeiHǎo - Beautiful : may / may how

***

Interations

DuWei - That's right : doo~way (quickly, and often said twice)

Yes and no have no direct translations in Chinese, but the following will be fine is answer to common questions, although they are more like 'to be' and 'not to be' if translated literally; however, these are real colloquial uses.

Bú shì - no : boo shh

Bú shì can also be used in reply to 'Thank you !' with the meaning 'you're welcome' / 'no need to say' / 'it's nothing'

Shì de - yes : shh der

E.g. LàJiāo ? - lah jee~ou[ch] (chillies ?) : Shì de / Bú shì

***

Wǒ - I / me : woh

Nǐ - You : nee

Tā - He / she : tah

***

Shopping and restaurants

Wǒ Yào - I want / would like I would like one of these : Wǒ yào Yī ge Zhè ge (woh yow ee guh jay guh)

***

ZhèGe - This : jay guh

NàGe - That : nay guh

***

Yī Ge - One (of) : ee guh

Lian Ge - Two (of) : lee~ann guh (Two as a simple number is Er, pronounced 'are')

Sān Ge - Three (of) : san guh

***

Duō Shǎo Qián? - How much? (price) : doo~or sh~ow[l] chee~ann?

Zhège duōshǎo qián? - How much is this? : jay guh

Nàgè duōshǎo qián? - How much is that? : nay guh

Tài Guì Le! - too expensive! : tie gwee ler!

***

nǐhǎo ma? - How are you? : nee how mar ?

Hǎo De - ok : how der

Hěn Hǎo - Good : hen how

Bù Hǎo - Not good : boo how

***

ShénMe? - When? : shen mer

NǎLi? - Where : nah lee?

Nǎr - There (gesturing) : nah

Qĭng wèn - Excuse me (before asking a stranger a question) : ching wen

Qĭng wèn, weì shēng jiān (zài) nă lĭ? - Where is the restroom? : Ching wen. Way sheng jee~ann z~eye (nah) lee?

Qĭng wèn, dìtiě zhàn (zài) nǎ lǐ? - Where is the metro station? : Ching wen, dee tee~air z~eye (nah) lee?

You might hear zai nar in norther China (e.g. BeiJing)

***

小 Xiǎo - Small : sh~ow[l]

大 Dà - Big : dah

Tai - Too : tie

***

Bin De - Ice-cold : bin der

Lian De - Cold : lee~ann der

Rè de - Hot : rer der

Rè chá - hot tea : rer char

Bīng píjiǔ - Cold beer : bing pee jee~oh

***

La - Spicy : lah

Bu La - not spicy : boo lah

Xiao La - a little spicy : shee~ow[l] lah

Da La - Very spicy : dah lah

Tai La! - too spicy! : tie lah!

***

Noodles - Miàn : mee~ann

Dumplings - JiǎoZi : jee~ow[l] zuh

Rice - MiFàn / Fàn : mee fan / fan

Eggs - JīDàn : jee dan

Beef - NiúRòu 牛肉 : nee~you row

Lamb - YángRòu 羊肉 : yang row

Chicken - JīRòu 鸡肉 : jee row

Pork - ZhūRòu 猪肉 : joo row

Fish - YúRòu 鱼肉 : yoo row

Tofu - DòuFu 豆腐 : doh foo

(See BeijingBuzzz's food cheat sheet for much more)

(Wo) Chī bǎole! - (I'm) full! : Woh ch b~ou[ch] ler!

(Ni) Chī bǎole ma? - (Are you) full? : (Nee) ch b~ou[ch] ler maa?

Ma is appended to change a statement into a question.

***

ZhōngGuó - China : jong goo~woh

YīngGuó - England : ying goo~woh

MěiGuó - America : may goo~woh

ZhōngWén - Chinese nationality : jong ren

YīngWén - English nationality : ying ren

***

Hótel - Hotel

FànDiàn - Hotel / Restaurant : fan dee~ann

Wǒ Bù ZhīDào - I don't know : woh boo juh~dow

Tīng Bù Dǒng - I don't understand : ting boo dong

ZhèGe Duōshǎo Qián? / DuōShǎo Qián? - How much is this? : doo~or sh~ow[l} chee~ann?

Tài guìle ! - Too expensive ! : tie-gwee lah !

Wo Yao ... - I would like ... : woh yow ...

Wǒ Yào ZhèGe - I want this one : woh yow jay~guh

***

5 yuan (kwai) / 2 pieces (items)
5元 / 2个 or 5元 2个

8 折 (bā zhé), which directly translates as '8 discount'.
This means that the discounted price is 80% of the original price (20% off).

人 Rén - Person : ren

5元 / 2人 - 5 yuan for 2 people

***

For toilet doors / WCs :

男 - Man

女 - Woman

***

BúShì - No : boo shh

ShìDe - Yes : Shh der

Hǎo de - Okay : how der

MéiYǒu - none / out of stock : may~oh

***

Wǒ ài ... - I love ... : woh eye ...

- I love this! : woh eye jay-guh!

Wǒ ài ZhōngGuó - I love China : woh eye jong goo~woh

***

Hǎo Chī - Delicious (literally good eat) : how ch

Bú Hǎo Chī - Not tasty : boo how ch

One can think of 'Bú' as meaning 'not'

***

Wǒ Bù LiǎoJiě - I don't understand : woh boo lee~ow[l]~jee~air

***

Chi - eat : ch

Wǒ Xiǎng ... - I would like ... : woh shee~ang ...

Wǒ Xiǎng Chī ... - I would like to eat ... : woh she~ang ch ...

***

Directions

Bei - North : bay

Nan - South : nan

Xi - West : shee

Dong - East : dong

***

DìTiě - Subway train : dee tee~air

Dìtiě nali ma? - Where is the subway? : dee tee~air nah~lee ma

Zhan - Train station : zahn

Men - gate : men

Yuan / kwai - rmb (currency) : yoo~ann / kw~eye (more common)

Gong yuan - Park : gong yoo~ann

***

KāFēi - Coffee : kah fay

Chá - Tea : chah

kěLè - Cola : ker ler

PiJiou - Beer : pee jee~oh

Shui - Water : shway

Wo yao liang ge pijiou liande - I would like two cold beers : woh yow[l] lee~ann guh pee jee~oh lee~ann der

***

Jia Yo! - Let's go! / Go! (encouraging) : jee~ah yoh!

Wǒ Bù Shuō Hànyǔ / ZhōngWén - I don't speak Chinese (huh?!) Or simply Bù ZhōngWén : boo jong wen

***

Numbers

Numbers are easy (there are finger position numbers too, but that's not so easy) :

1 - Yī : ee

2 - Èr : are

3 - Sān : san

4 - Sì : si (the sound is the first half of 'soot') (short sound)

5 - Wǔ : woo~oh

6 - Liù : lee~oo

7 - Qī : chee

8 - Bā : bah

9 - Jiǔ : jee~oo

10 - Shí : shhh (longer sound)

Example of 11 - 99 :

73 - Qi Shí Sān (7x10) + 3 : chee shhh san (7 10 3)

70 - Qi Shí (7x10) : chee shhh (7 10)

100 - Bǎi : buy

Example of 101 - 999 :

357 - Sān Bǎi Wǔ Shí Qī (3x100 + 5x10 + 7) : san buy woo~oh shhh chee (3 100 5 10 7)

300 - Sān Bǎi (3x100) : san buy (3 100)

One small complication - two (of) - rather than the number two) is liǎng ge : lee~ang ger

***

Cheers! - GānBēi! : gan bey!

Related Videos

 

Featured Videos

ChengDu drive
With Walk East ...
LiZiQi – the life of a countryside girl : farming and cooking – don’t miss it !
With 李子柒 Liziqi ...
Chinese New Year lights and atmosphere, ShangHai
With Travel East ...
China’s new modernity leaves the West behind
With Jerry's Take on China ...
Richard Wolf on the rise of China and the history of the last 100 years
From one of the worlds poorest countries, ravaged by colonialism and war, to today - moderately prosperous, without poverty, and with a deep culture and happy life. With professor Richard Wolf. Don't miss it ...
Beautiful AnHui 安徽 province
The beautiful ZhuJiaJiao 朱家角 Water Town, ShangHai
QingHai Lake
With Walk East ...
20 places to visit in and around HangZhou, ZheJiang province
Places to visit in and around HangZhou West Lake (西湖) - Xī Hú Description: West Lake is the most iconic attraction in Hangzhou, known for its scenic beauty, historic sites, and cultural significance. Visitors can take leisurely boat cruises, stroll along the promenades, and admire picturesque pavilions, bridges, and pagodas. Lingyin Temple (灵隐寺) - Língyǐn Sì Description: Lingyin Temple is one of the oldest and most prestigious Buddhist temples in China, nestled at the foot of Lingyin Mountain. The temple complex features ancient halls, pagodas, and intricate stone carvings, as well as serene forested surroundings ideal for contemplation and meditation. Qinghefang Ancient Street (清河坊古街) - Qīnghéfāng Gǔ Jiē Description: Qinghefang Ancient Street is a historic pedestrian street lined with traditional shops, teahouses, and snack stalls. Visitors can explore Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, sample local delicacies, and shop for souvenirs such as silk, tea, and handicrafts. Leifeng Pagoda (雷峰塔) - Léifēng Tǎ Description: Leifeng Pagoda is a historic tower located on Sunset Hill overlooking West Lake. Originally built in the 10th century, the pagoda offers panoramic views of the lake and surrounding scenery. Visitors can climb to the top for breathtaking vistas and learn about the pagoda's storied history. Hangzhou Songcheng Park (杭州宋城景区) - Hángzhōu Sòngchéng Jǐngqū Description: Hangzhou Songcheng Park is a large-scale cultural theme park showcasing the rich heritage and traditions of ancient China. The park features replica ancient streets, performances, and attractions, allowing visitors to experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture. Longjing Tea Plantation (龙井茶园) - Lóngjǐng Cháyuán Description: Longjing Tea Plantation is famous for producing Longjing (Dragon Well) tea, one of China's most prized green teas. Visitors can tour the tea fields, learn about tea cultivation and processing, and sample freshly brewed Longjing tea while enjoying scenic views of the countryside. Hangzhou Botanical Garden (杭州植物园) - Hángzhōu Zhíwù Yuán Description: Hangzhou Botanical Garden is a tranquil oasis featuring diverse plant collections, landscaped gardens, and nature trails. Visitors can explore themed gardens, conservatories, and aquatic habitats, as well as enjoy picnics, birdwatching, and photography amidst lush greenery. Hefang Street (河坊街) - Héfāng Jiē Description: Hefang Street is a vibrant pedestrian thoroughfare in the heart of Hangzhou's historic district. The street is lined with shops selling traditional crafts, snacks, and souvenirs, as well as teahouses, street performers, and cultural attractions. Hangzhou Zoo (杭州动物园) - Hángzhōu Dòngwù Yuán Description: Hangzhou Zoo is home to a diverse collection of animal species from around the world, including rare and endangered species. Visitors can observe animals in naturalistic habitats, attend feeding sessions and animal shows, and enjoy family-friendly attractions such as playgrounds and picnic areas. China National Tea Museum (中国茶叶博物馆) - Zhōngguó Cháyè Bówùguǎn Description: China National Tea Museum is dedicated to the history, culture, and art of tea in China. The museum features informative exhibits, interactive displays, and traditional tea ceremonies, providing insights into the significance of tea in Chinese society and its cultural significance. Yuhuang Mountain (玉皇山) - Yùhuáng Shān Description: Yuhuang Mountain is a scenic area known for its natural beauty, religious sites, and hiking trails. Visitors can ascend to the mountain peak for panoramic views of Hangzhou and the Qiantang River, explore ancient temples and shrines, and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, picnicking, and birdwatching. Hangzhou Grand Canal (杭州大运河) - Hángzhōu Dà Yùnhé Description: Hangzhou Grand Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the longest and oldest canals in the world. Visitors can take boat cruises along the canal, passing through historic districts, scenic landscapes, and cultural landmarks, while learning about the canal's role in China's history and economy. Hangzhou Xixi National Wetland Park (西溪国家湿地公园) - Xīxī Guójiā Shīdì Gōngyuán Description: Hangzhou Xixi National Wetland Park is a vast natural reserve featuring wetlands, waterways, and diverse ecosystems. Visitors can explore the park's scenic trails, wooden boardwalks, and traditional water villages, as well as enjoy boating, birdwatching, and nature photography amidst pristine surroundings. Hangzhou China Silk Town (中国丝绸城) - Zhōngguó Sīchóu Chéng Description: Hangzhou China Silk Town is a commercial district specializing in silk products, textiles, and silk-related crafts. Visitors can shop for high-quality silk fabrics, clothing, accessories, and watch demonstrations of silk production techniques such as weaving and embroidery. The town also features museums, galleries, and cultural exhibits showcasing the history and craftsmanship of silk in Hangzhou. Wushan Square (吴山广场) - Wúshān Guǎngchǎng Description: Wushan Square is a central plaza in Hangzhou surrounded by historical buildings, modern landmarks, and scenic vistas. Visitors can enjoy leisurely walks, cultural events, and panoramic views of West Lake, as well as explore nearby attractions such as museums, theaters, and shopping districts. China National Silk Museum (中国丝绸博物馆) - Zhōngguó Sīchóu Bówùguǎn Description: China National Silk Museum is dedicated to the history, art, and technology of silk production in China. The museum features extensive collections of silk artifacts, textiles, and cultural relics, as well as interactive exhibits, workshops, and demonstrations highlighting the craftsmanship and significance of silk in Chinese culture. Hangzhou Chenghuang Pavilion (杭州城隍阁) - Hángzhōu Chénghuáng Gé Description: Hangzhou Chenghuang Pavilion is a historic landmark dating back to the Song Dynasty, located in the heart of the city. The pavilion offers panoramic views of Hangzhou's skyline, West Lake, and surrounding landmarks, as well as cultural exhibits, art displays, and traditional performances celebrating the city's heritage. Hangzhou Confucius Temple (杭州文庙) - Hángzhōu Wénmiào Description: Hangzhou Confucius Temple is a tranquil sanctuary dedicated to the teachings and legacy of Confucius. The temple complex features traditional architecture, landscaped gardens, and cultural relics, providing a peaceful retreat for contemplation, study, and cultural exploration amidst the bustling city. Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium (杭州奥体中心) - Hángzhōu Ào Tǐ Zhōngxīn Description: Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium is a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue hosting major events, concerts, and sporting competitions. Visitors can attend live performances, sports matches, and cultural festivals, as well as explore the surrounding parklands, recreation facilities, and dining options. Hangzhou National Tea Museum (杭州茶叶博物馆) - Hángzhōu Cháyè Bówùguǎn Description: Hangzhou National Tea Museum is dedicated to the history, culture, and art of tea in China. The museum showcases tea artifacts, historical exhibits, and interactive displays, as well as traditional tea ceremonies, tastings, and workshops, offering insights into the significance of tea in Chinese society and its cultural heritage. Hangzhou Zoo (杭州动物园) - Hángzhōu Dòngwù Yuán Description: Hangzhou Zoo is home to a diverse collection of animal species from around the world, including rare and endangered species. Visitors can observe animals in naturalistic habitats, attend feeding sessions and animal shows, and enjoy family-friendly attractions such as playgrounds and picnic areas. Hangzhou Museum (杭州博物馆) - Hángzhōu Bówùguǎn Description: Hangzhou Museum is a cultural institution showcasing the history, art, and heritage of Hangzhou and the surrounding region. The museum's exhibits include archaeological artifacts, fine art collections, and cultural relics, as well as interactive displays, educational programs, and temporary exhibitions highlighting various aspects of Hangzhou's rich cultural legacy.

Tag search ?