[Official Guide] 50 Essential Chinese Phrases Every Foreigner Should Know (With Pinyin)
Stay2CN Official Guide | Language & Communication | May 2026You don't need fluency to survive in China. These 50 phrases cover 90% of daily interactions. Learn them before you arrive.
Greetings & Basics
1. Hello — Nǐ hǎo (你好)
2. Thank you — Xièxie (谢谢)
3. You're welcome — Bú kèqi (不客气)
4. Sorry — Duìbuqǐ (对不起)
5. It's okay — Méi guānxi (没关系)
6. Yes — Shì (是)
7. No — Bú shì (不是)
8. Goodbye — Zàijiàn (再见)
Getting Around
9. Where is...? — ...zài nǎlǐ? (...在哪里?)
10. How do I get to...? — Qù...zěnme zǒu? (去...怎么走?)
11. Left — Zuǒ (左)
12. Right — Yòu (右)
13. Straight — Wǎng qián (往前)
14. Taxi! — Chūzū chē! (出租车!)
15. Stop here — Tíng zhèr (停这儿)
Food & Dining
16. This one — Zhè ge (这个)
17. The bill, please — Mǎidān (买单)
18. Not spicy — Bú yào là (不要辣)
19. A little spicy — Wēi là (微辣)
20. Water — Shuǐ (水)
21. Beer — Píjiǔ (啤酒)
22. Tea — Chá (茶)
23. Delicious — Hǎo chī (好吃)
Shopping & Money
24. How much? — Duōshao qián? (多少钱?)
25. Too expensive — Tài guì le (太贵了)
26. Can it be cheaper? — Piányi yīdiǎn ma? (便宜一点吗?)
27. I don't want it — Wǒ bú yào (我不要)
28. I want to buy — Wǒ yào mǎi (我要买)
Emergencies & Help
29. Help! — Jiùmìng! (救命!)
30. Call the police! — Bào jǐng! (报警!)
31. I don't feel well — Wǒ bù shūfu (我不舒服)
32. Where is the hospital? — Yīyuàn zài nǎlǐ? (医院在哪里?)
33. I need a doctor — Wǒ yào kàn yīshēng (我要看医生)
34. I'm lost — Wǒ mílù le (我迷路了)
Hotel & Accommodation
35. I have a reservation — Wǒ yǒu yùdìng (我有预订)
36. My passport — Wǒ de hùzhào (我的护照)
37. The WiFi password? — WiFi mìmǎ shì shénme? (WiFi密码是什么?)
38. Hot water — Rè shuǐ (热水)
39. Towel — Máojīn (毛巾)
Numbers (1–10)
40. 1 — Yī
41. 2 — Èr
42. 3 — Sān
43. 4 — Sì
44. 5 — Wǔ
45. 6 — Liù
46. 7 — Qī
47. 8 — Bā
48. 9 — Jiǔ
49. 10 — Shí
The Magic Phrase
50. I don't speak Chinese — Wǒ bú huì shuō Zhōngwén (我不会说中文)
Tip: Save these on your phone. Screenshot them. Practice the tones — they matter.
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