The Most Useful Mandarin Phrases For Travel In China

Travelling in China can be an incredibly rewarding experience, filled with rich cultural encounters, breathtaking landscapes, and delicious cuisine.

However, the language barrier can be challenging if you don't speak Mandarin. Don’t be too scared there are many ways around this, but to help make your journey smoother, here are some essential Mandarin phrases that every traveller should know.

1. BASIC GREETINGS

Hello
你好 (nǐ hǎo)

How are you?
你好吗 (nǐ hǎo ma?)

Goodbye
拜拜 (bái bái)

再见 (zài jiàn)

Thank you
谢谢 (xiè xie)

2. COMMANDS

Yes
是 (shì)

No
不是 (bú shì)

Want

要 (yào)

I don’t want

我不要 (wǒ bú yào)

3. ORDER

I want noodles

我要面条 (wǒ yào miàntiáo)

I want beer

我要啤酒 (wǒ yào píjiǔ)

I want one beer

我要一个啤酒 (Wǒ yào yīgè píjiǔ)

I don’t want spicy

我不要辣 (wǒ bù yào là)

4. QUESTIONS

Where is…?
…在哪儿？ (…zài nǎr?)

Where is the bathroom?

卫生间在哪儿 (wèishēngjiān zài nǎ'er?)

How much..? (does it cost)

多少钱？(duō shǎo qián?)

5. NUMBERS

One
一 (yī)

Two
二 (èr)

Three
三 (sān)

Four
四 (sì)

Five
五 (wǔ)

Six
六 (liù)

Seven
七 (qī)

Eight
八 (bā)

Nine
九 (jiǔ)

Ten
十 (shí)

Eleven

十一 (shí yī)

Twenty Four

二 十四 (èr shí sì)

Check out this video I made a few years ago which will help you to learn the basics and hear the pronunciation.

TIPS

• Pronunciation: Mandarin pronunciation can be tricky due to its tonal nature. Listen to the words and practice the tones to ensure you're understood correctly. Don’t be disheartened if you are misunderstood, if the tone is different it could mean a completely different word.

  For example, the word ‘ma’ can mean many different things in Mandarin.

  It is used in a neutral tone at the end of sentences to ask a question. But it also means mother, hemp, horse and scold depending on which tone you use.
  

• Body Language: Use gestures and body language to complement your words.

• Patience and Politeness: Patience and a polite demeanour go a long way in communicating, even if your Mandarin isn’t perfect, at least you are trying.
  

• Back-up plan: If all else fails then make sure you have a translation app downloaded so that you can whip it out if you are struggling.

Many people (including myself) can get by in China without knowing a lot of Mandarin but it is useful and will make your trip there all the more enjoyable if you are able to communicate a little bit with the locals.

If you want to learn a little bit to get by then watch some YouTube videos to help practice your pronunciation and nail down those most used phrases.

If you want to go a bit deeper then check out free language learning apps like Duolingo or Hello Chinese.

If you really want to spend the time learning Mandarin then opt for a paid language app like Rosetta Stone or invest in a tutor to help you.

If you need some extra help planning your itinerary for your China trip then get in touch I can help you!