Useful Chinese Phrases for Travelers: Mandarin with Pinyin

Reviewed August 27, 2026. These useful Chinese phrases for travelers use standard Mandarin, simplified characters and tone-marked pinyin. Mandarin varies by region and pinyin is a pronunciation aid, not an English sound spelling. Save each destination and hotel address in Chinese, download an offline translation tool, and show the written phrase when pronunciation is unclear. The Chinese languages and characters guide explains the broader language context.

Essential Courtesy and Help Phrases

Start with a calm greeting, then point to a map, ticket or address. “Qǐng” adds politeness, but clear context matters more than a perfect accent. In an urgent situation, use the official emergency channel and ask nearby staff for help rather than relying only on a memorized phrase.
 

Thank You — Xièxie

Pinyin: Xièxie

Chinese: 谢谢

Use it after assistance, service or a gift. The second syllable is often light in natural speech; being understandable and sincere matters more than reproducing every tone perfectly.
 

You're Welcome — Bú Kèqi

Pinyin: Bú kèqi

Chinese: 不客气
 

Sorry / Excuse Me — Duìbuqǐ or Bù Hǎoyìsi

Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ / Bù hǎoyìsi

Chinese: 对不起 / 不好意思

Duìbuqǐ is a direct apology. Bù hǎoyìsi is often useful for a small interruption, getting someone's attention or acknowledging mild inconvenience; neither phrase replaces taking responsibility for a serious problem. Use the phrase that matches the situation rather than translating every English “sorry” in the same way.
 

It Doesn't Matter — Méi Guānxi

Pinyin: Méi guānxi

Chinese: 没关系
 

Do You Speak English? — Nǐ Huì Shuō Yīngyǔ Ma?

Pinyin: Nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma?

Chinese: 你会说英语吗？

Ask without assuming the answer. If the person says no, show a short written sentence, address or booking screen rather than repeating English more loudly.
 

I Don't Speak Chinese — Wǒ Bú Huì Shuō Zhōngwén

Pinyin: Wǒ bú huì shuō Zhōngwén

Chinese: 我不会说中文
 

I Don't Understand — Wǒ Tīng Bù Dǒng

Pinyin: Wǒ tīng bù dǒng

Chinese: 我听不懂
 

Where Is the Restroom? — Qǐngwèn, Xǐshǒujiān Zài Nǎlǐ?

Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?

Chinese: 请问，洗手间在哪里？

Show the characters if needed. “Xǐshǒujiān” is a polite, broadly understood term; signs may also use “卫生间” (wèishēngjiān) or “厕所” (cèsuǒ). Carry tissues and hand sanitizer because facilities and supplies vary.
 

Everyday Greetings

A greeting opens an interaction, but travelers do not need to force textbook exchanges. Match the setting: hotel staff, a shopkeeper and a person in a park may use different levels of formality.

Hotel check-in is a useful moment to show a booking name and greet staff before presenting documents
 

Hello — Nǐ Hǎo

Pinyin: Nǐ hǎo

Chinese: 你好
 

How Are You? — Nǐ Hǎo Ma?

Pinyin: Nǐ hǎo ma?

Chinese: 你好吗？
 

This is understandable but can sound textbook-like in casual encounters. A simple “nǐ hǎo” followed by the actual question is often more natural.

Good / Fine — Hěn Hǎo

Pinyin: Hěn hǎo
 

Chinese: 很好
 

“Hěn hǎo” means “very good.” In real conversation, answers vary; do not treat it as the required reply to every greeting.

Have You Eaten? — Chīfàn Le Ma?

Pinyin: Chīfàn le ma?

Chinese: 吃饭了吗？

This can be a familiar, context-dependent greeting among people who know one another. It is not a universal invitation to eat and need not replace “nǐ hǎo” with strangers.

Ordering Food and Communicating Allergies Use short sentences and show the ingredient in Chinese. A restaurant may share oil, broth, utensils or grills, so a phrase cannot guarantee an allergen-free meal. For severe allergies, carry a professionally translated card and choose a setting able to explain cross-contact. The Chinese dining culture guide adds etiquette and shared-dish context.
 

Beijing duck is ordered more easily when the traveler can point to the menu and confirm portion size
 

Please Give Me This — Qǐng Gěi Wǒ Zhège

Pinyin: Qǐng gěi wǒ zhège

Chinese: 请给我这个
 

Point to the exact menu item. “Wǒ yào zhège” (我要这个, “I want this”) is widely understood, while adding “qǐng” sounds more courteous. Confirm quantity if a menu lists portions or whole dishes.
 

No Spicy Food — Bú Yào Là

Pinyin: Bú yào là

Chinese: 不要辣
 

This asks for no chili heat, but a regional sauce, broth or prepared ingredient may already contain chili. If spice is a health concern rather than preference, explain that separately and verify the dish before eating.
 

I Am Allergic to ___ — Wǒ Duì ___ Guòmǐn

Pinyin: Wǒ duì ___ guòmǐn

Chinese: 我对___过敏
 

Fill the blank with the exact ingredient in Chinese and show the whole sentence. Add “严重过敏” (yánzhòng guòmǐn, severe allergy) only when accurate; translation support and staff confirmation remain essential.
 

Delicious — Hǎochī

Pinyin: Hǎochī

Chinese: 好吃

Say “hǎochī” for food; “hǎohē” (好喝) is used for a drink. These are simple compliments, not claims about every diner's taste.
 

The Check, Please — Qǐng Mǎidān

Pinyin: Qǐng mǎidān

Chinese: 请买单

Shopping and Prices

Ask the price before customization or packaging. Bargaining may be normal in some markets but inappropriate in fixed-price stores, museums or restaurants. Keep the tone friendly and be willing to decline.
 

Muslim Street in Xi'an has busy food and souvenir stalls where pointing and short price questions can help
 

How Much Is This? — Zhège Duōshao Qián?

Pinyin: Zhège duōshao qián?

Chinese: 这个多少钱？

Confirm whether the displayed amount is per item, per weight, per set or for the whole service. Use the calculator screen to prevent confusion over large numbers.
 

That's Too Expensive — Tài Guì Le

Pinyin: Tài guì le

Chinese: 太贵了
 

Could It Be a Little Cheaper? — Kěyǐ Piányi Yìdiǎn Ma?

Pinyin: Kěyǐ piányi yìdiǎn ma?

Chinese: 可以便宜一点吗？
 

No, Thank You — Bú Yòng Le, Xièxie

Pinyin: Bú yòng le, xièxie

Chinese: 不用了，谢谢

Transport and Station Phrases

Show the destination in Chinese and confirm the exact station because some cities have several railway terminals. The China high-speed rail guide covers booking and boarding context; always check the current ticket, entrance and accepted identity document.
 

Please Take Me to the Airport — Qǐng Dài Wǒ Qù Jīchǎng

Pinyin: Qǐng dài wǒ qù jīchǎng

Chinese: 请带我去机场

Replace “jīchǎng” with the airport's full Chinese name when a city has more than one. For a taxi, show the terminal as well as the airport.
 

Huǒchēzhàn — Dìtiězhàn — Qìchēzhàn

火车站 — 地铁站 — 汽车站
Railway station — metro station — long-distance bus station. “Qìchēzhàn” can be ambiguous, so show the full station name and ticket whenever possible.

Goodbye — Zàijiàn

Bye-bye!

Chinese: 再见！

“Zàijiàn” is a standard goodbye. Casual speakers may also say “bāibāi” , borrowed from English. A phrase list is most useful when practiced with audio, saved offline and paired with written names—not when it is treated as a substitute for listening, patience or professional translation.

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