Essential Chinese Travel Phrases

Travelling in China is an amazing experience, and knowing even a few simple Mandarin phrases can make a big difference. Whether you’re greeting someone, asking for directions or ordering a coffee, speaking a little Chinese is always appreciated.

This guide brings together 25 essential phrases every beginner should know. Learn a few before your trip, or bookmark this page as a handy travel reference.

You'll learn:

✓ Greeting people politely
✓ Asking simple questions
✓ Being polite and respectful
✓ Ordering food and drinks
✓ Finding your way around

Essential Travel Phrases

Greetings

Being Polite

Asking Questions

Food & Drink

Getting Around

Helpful Phrases

Language Notes

请问 (qǐng wèn) — A polite way to ask a question

Examples:

* 请问，洗手间在哪里？
* 请问，地铁站在哪里？

不好意思 — More than “sorry”

Although it can mean “sorry”, 不好意思 is also commonly used to get someone’s attention, apologise for a small inconvenience or politely excuse yourself.

You’ll probably hear it many times while travelling.

Don’t worry about perfect pronunciation

Native speakers are usually happy to hear visitors making an effort to speak Mandarin. Speak slowly, smile, and don’t be afraid to repeat yourself if needed.

Try it yourself

How many of these phrases can you remember without looking?

Try saying:

* Hello
* Thank you
* Excuse me
* How much is it?
* Where is the subway station?
* I don’t understand.

Practise them until they feel natural, then you’ll be ready to use them on your next trip.

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