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Essential Chinese Phrases

Must-know phrases with pronunciation guide and audio

📚 40 phrases

Hello

Greetings

Chinese:

你好

Pronunciation:

nǐ hǎo

Meeting someone

Thank you

Greetings

Chinese:

谢谢

Pronunciation:

xiè xiè

Showing gratitude

Excuse me

Greetings

Chinese:

不好意思

Pronunciation:

bù hǎo yì sī

Getting attention

Sorry

Greetings

Chinese:

对不起

Pronunciation:

duì bù qǐ

Apologizing

Goodbye

Greetings

Chinese:

再见

Pronunciation:

zài jiàn

Leaving

Yes

Greetings

Chinese:

是

Pronunciation:

shì

Confirming

No

Greetings

Chinese:

不是

Pronunciation:

bù shì

Declining

Where is...?

Navigation

Chinese:

...在哪里？

Pronunciation:

...zài nǎ lǐ?

Finding locations

Train station

Navigation

Chinese:

火车站

Pronunciation:

huǒ chē zhàn

Transportation

Airport

Navigation

Chinese:

机场

Pronunciation:

jī chǎng

Transportation

Subway/Metro

Navigation

Chinese:

地铁

Pronunciation:

dì tiě

Transportation

Taxi

Navigation

Chinese:

出租车

Pronunciation:

chū zū chē

Transportation

How much?

Navigation

Chinese:

多少钱？

Pronunciation:

duō shǎo qián?

Asking price

Menu

Food

Chinese:

菜单

Pronunciation:

cài dān

Restaurant

Water

Food

Chinese:

水

Pronunciation:

shuǐ

Restaurant

Bill/Check

Food

Chinese:

买单

Pronunciation:

mǎi dān

Restaurant

Vegetarian

Food

Chinese:

素食

Pronunciation:

sù shí

Dietary restrictions

Not spicy

Food

Chinese:

不要辣

Pronunciation:

bù yào là

Food preferences

Delicious

Food

Chinese:

好吃

Pronunciation:

hǎo chī

Complimenting food

How much does this cost?

Shopping

Chinese:

这个多少钱？

Pronunciation:

zhè gè duō shǎo qián?

Price inquiry

Too expensive

Shopping

Chinese:

太贵了

Pronunciation:

tài guì le

Bargaining

Discount

Shopping

Chinese:

打折

Pronunciation:

dǎ zhé

Bargaining

Credit card

Shopping

Chinese:

信用卡

Pronunciation:

xìn yòng kǎ

Payment

WeChat Pay

Shopping

Chinese:

微信支付

Pronunciation:

wēi xìn zhī fù

Payment

Help!

Emergency

Chinese:

救命！

Pronunciation:

jiù mìng!

Emergency

Police

Emergency

Chinese:

警察

Pronunciation:

jǐng chá

Emergency

Hospital

Emergency

Chinese:

医院

Pronunciation:

yī yuàn

Emergency

Pharmacy

Emergency

Chinese:

药店

Pronunciation:

yào diàn

Medical

I am sick

Emergency

Chinese:

我生病了

Pronunciation:

wǒ shēng bìng le

Medical

Hotel

Hotel

Chinese:

酒店

Pronunciation:

jiǔ diàn

Accommodation

Room

Hotel

Chinese:

房间

Pronunciation:

fáng jiān

Accommodation

Key

Hotel

Chinese:

钥匙

Pronunciation:

yào shi

Hotel services

Check out

Hotel

Chinese:

退房

Pronunciation:

tuì fáng

Hotel services

WiFi

Hotel

Chinese:

无线网络

Pronunciation:

wú xiàn wǎng luò

Technology

One

Numbers

Chinese:

一

Pronunciation:

yī

Counting

Two

Numbers

Chinese:

二

Pronunciation:

èr

Counting

Three

Numbers

Chinese:

三

Pronunciation:

sān

Counting

Four

Numbers

Chinese:

四

Pronunciation:

sì

Counting

Five

Numbers

Chinese:

五

Pronunciation:

wǔ

Counting

Ten

Numbers

Chinese:

十

Pronunciation:

shí

Counting

📚 Pronunciation Guide

Tone Marks:

  • ā
    First tone - High level pitch

    Like singing a high note steadily

  • á
    Second tone - Rising pitch

    Like asking "What?"

  • ǎ
    Third tone - Falling then rising

    Starts mid, dips low, rises

  • à
    Fourth tone - Sharp falling

    Like a command: "Stop!"

  • a
    Neutral tone - Light and short

    Unstressed, quick

Quick Tips:

  • ✓Point to phrases if pronunciation is difficult
  • ✓Chinese people appreciate any effort to speak Chinese
  • ✓Use the audio button to hear correct pronunciation
  • ✓Learn numbers 1-10 first - very useful for bargaining!
  • ✓Practice tones - they can completely change meaning
  • ✓Download offline for use without internet

Take These Phrases Offline

Download a beautifully formatted PDF to access all phrases without internet connection