As you may expect, this is used during the
35 Basic Chinese Words and Phrases For Beginners
Let’s start with greetings…
Simple Greetings in Mandarin
1. How are you?
Chinese translation: Nǐ hǎo ma? (Nee-hao-mah?)
你好吗
You may already know this greeting. If it’s your first
time hearing it, then you should familiarize yourself
with it as soon as you can. It’s the most common
way Chinese native speakers will greet one
another.
2. Hello?
Chinese translation: Wèi (/way/ 喂)
This particular greeting is used when answering a
phone call. In English, we also use ‘Hello?’ when
answering a call, whereas we would say ‘Hey or Hi’
when meeting in person. Speaking of…
3. Hi/Hey
Chinese translation: Nǐhǎo 你好
Another common greeting, and small variation of
‘Ni-hao-ma.’
4. Thank you
Chinese translation: Xièxie. (sshyeah-sshyeah) 谢
谢
The culture in Asia takes great pride in showing
politeness and courtesy wherever they go. Prepare
to use this word often, particularly as a foreigner in
a Chinese-speaking country.
5. Good morning
Chinese translation: 你早 (nǐ zǎo)
Depending on the time of the day, you may want to
use this instead of the more commonly used ‘Ni-
hao.’ Who knows, you may even surprise someone
with your skills.
6. Good afternoon
Chinese translation: 午安 (wǔ’ān)
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afternoons, just like English.
7. Good night
Chinese translation: 晚安 (wǎnān)
And for night time…
8. See you later
Chinese translation: 回头见。(húi tóu jiàn)
This phrase is used if you plan to see the person in
the near future. Perhaps a friend that you see
every two weeks to catch up over coffee, you can
say: húi tóu jiàn!
9. Excuse me
Chinese translation: 請問 [请问] qǐngwén – to
attract attention (“may I ask”)
If you need to grab someone’s attention to ask a
question or help them with something, you can say
‘qǐngwén.’ This is important if you’re in a busy and
noisy setting.
10. Sorry
Chinese translation: 對不起 [对不起] (duìbùqǐ)
Hopefully, you won’t have to use this word too
often, but it will come up. As long as you didn’t do
anything too horrible, a sincere apology in their
native language will likely make things up.
Hearing a foreigner attempt to apologize in your
spoken tongue will add that extra layer of respect.
11. Nice to meet you
Chinese translation: 幸會 [幸会] (xìng huì)
You’ll most likely be using this while shaking
someone’s hand and looking them in the eye.
Performing these multiple actions at the same time
may confuse you, so review this phrase once more.
12. Please
Chinese translation: 請 [请] (qǐng)
Being polite will take you a long way in terms of
building a stronger relationship and respect with
Chinese speakers. Make sure you’re not using it too
often, as the effect will wear off soon.
Common Questions to Ask in Chinese
13. How do you say … in Mandarin?
Chinese translation: … 中文怎麼說? (… zhōngwén
zěnme shuō)
This may be one of the most useful Chinese
phrases of all. If you’re an eager learner who’s
willing to ask questions, this will be the best way to
get indirect Chinese lessons with a native speaker.
Like anything, use this moderately since you don’t
want to annoy the person you’re with.
14.What is this?
Chinese translation: Zhè shì shénme? (Jer shrr
shnn-muh?) 这是什么?
Great for when you’re shopping or at the market.
There may be several things you’re not used to
seeing given the vast difference in the China
marketplace, from food to electronics.
15. Where is the toilet?
Chinese translation: 廁所在哪裡？ [厕所在哪里?]
(cèsuǒ zài nǎli?)
This one goes without saying in just about any
language, as you can imagine 🙂
16. Where are you from?
Chinese translation: 你是哪國人? (nǐ shì nǎguórén)
A useful question to ask when having a
conversation with someone. This could refer to
what city in China or another country in Asia
they’re from or what nationality they are.
17. I’m from…
Chinese translation: 我是 … 人 (wǒ shì … rén)
Most likely, they’ll ask you after where you’re from.
This is how you can start answering that question.
18. Do you speak English?
Chinese translation: 你會說英語嗎? (nǐ huì shuō
yīngyǔ ma?)
English is an international language and one that’s
vastly taught in China. You’ll find more often than
not, native Chinese speakers will have some
knowledge of English.
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This shouldn’t be an excuse not to make Mandarin
your go-to-communication, especially if you want
to improve your skills. However, you can use
English as an intermediary if you get stuck in an
awkward pause.
19. I don’t understand
Chinese translation:: 我不懂 (wǒ bù dǒng)
Before you resort to speaking English, let the other
person know that you can’t understand them in
Chinese. Perhaps they can explain in a different
way (with more physical descriptions, etc.) to help
you grasp what they’re saying.
Getting Around Safely
20. Where is…?
Chinese translation:… zài nǎlǐ? (… dzeye naa-lee?)
… 在哪里
Navigate your way around China town or any city in
China with this simple question.
21. Restroom?
Chinese translation: Cèsuǒ.? (tser-swor) 厕所
Like #15, if you don’t want to memorize the entire
string of words in Chinese, you can simply
remember one word: Cèsuǒ.? Most people will give
you the same response anyways.
22. Call the police
Chinese translation: 叫警察! (jiào jǐngchá!)
Hopefully, you won’t have to use this often, but it’s
necessary to know in case of unknown
emergencies.
23. Leave me alone
Chinese translation: 别管我! (bié guǎn wǒ)
Same goes for this. Definitely important to
familiarize yourself and the people you’re traveling
with on how to avoid trouble. At the very least, it
will let strangers around you recognize that you
may not be in a potentially dangerous situation.
Chinese Phrases to Survive Socially
24. How much is this?
Chinese translation: Duōshao qián? 多少钱 (Dwor-
30. I love you
sshaoww chyen?)
Chinese translation: 我愛你 [我爱你] (wǒ ài nǐ)
If you’re an avid shopper or simply a fan of Chinese
products and services, get ready to use this. More Make someone’s heart melt by telling them you
importantly, you may need to prepare for a lengthy love them in their native language.
negotiation process.
31. I miss you
25. Would you like to dance with me? Chinese translation: 我想你 (wǒ xiǎng nǐ)
Chinese translation: 你要不要跟我跳舞? (nǐ yào
bú yào gēn wǒ tiàowǔ) If you’re not at the ‘I love you’ stage in the
relationship or just simply showing a friend some
For the bold and brave that wants to initiate a affection, go with a simple ‘wǒ xiǎng nǐ’.
more intimate relationship with someone at a bar,
club, or social setting. 32. Happy birthday
Chinese translation: 生日快乐 [生日快樂] (shēngrì
26. Do you come here often?
kuàilè)
Chinese translation: 你常来这儿吗? (nǐ cháng lái
zhè’er ma?) Kind of like ‘Shang-ri-la’ the hotel but with ‘Shen.’

OK, this may not be the greatest pickup line in the
world, but we never said we were a dating
magazine 🙂 If anything, you can use this question in
the midst of a conversation, not simply as a
conversation starter.
27. What kind of work do you do?
Chinese translation: 你作什么样的工作? (nǐ zùo
shén me yàng de gōng zùo)
Many people in China are very career-focused, just
like many western nations like the United States. It
could be a great way to learn about the person
you’re conversing with.
28. That’s hilarious
Chinese translation: 好搞笑 (hǎo gǎo xiào)
33. Happy Chinese New Year
Chinese translation: 恭喜發財 [恭喜发财] (gōngxǐ
fācái)
This is an important distinction, as people from
China take the Chinese New Year more seriously
than the traditional New Year. Just having this date
in your calendar will win you some major points.
34. Please speak more slowly
Chinese translation: 麻煩你講慢一點 (máfan nĭ
jiǎng màn yīdiǎn)
Always a useful Mandarin phrase to know if
someone is talking too fast. Perhaps you can
almost understand what they’re saying, but only if
they slow down a little bit.

Everyone likes to feel that they’re making you 35. I don’t know
laugh. You’ll be sure to win someone over if you Chinese translation: 我不知道 (wǒ bù zhīdào)
can use this Mandarin phrase strategically.

Other useful vocabulary and phrases in Chinese

29. Get well soon
Chinese translation: 快點好啦 [快点好啦] (kuài
diǎn hào la)

Send a friend or co-worker your love if you know

that they’re sick or injured.