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Learn some basic Chinese
Learning some basic can be quite useful for a trip to China, not only because most Chinese on the street do not speak English but also because it will enhance your experience there.
The table below has some common Chinese words and phrases with the pinyin pronunciation next to it. Pinyin is the official Romanization of the Chinese language in China.
Chinese |
Pinyin |
Meaning |
欢迎 |
huān yíng |
Welcome |
中国 |
Zhōng guó |
China |
你好吗? |
Nǐ hǎo ma? |
How are you? |
你好 |
Nǐ hǎo |
Hello, Good day |
再见 |
Zài jiàn |
Bye, Goodbye |
我 |
wǒ |
I |
你 |
nǐ |
you |
好 |
hǎo |
good |
我叫 _____ 。 |
wǒ jiào____. |
My name is_____. |
我来自 _____ 。 |
wǒ lái zi____. |
I am from (name of country). |
请问 |
qǐng wèn |
May I ask? |
行 |
xíng |
ok |
谢谢 |
xiè xie |
Thank you |
不用谢 / 不客气 |
bu yòng xiè / Bú kèqi |
You’re welcome |
对不起 |
Duì bù qǐ |
Sorry |
干杯 |
gān bēi |
“Cheers!”, “Drink up!” (toast) |
我恨累 |
wo hěn lèi |
I am very tired |
我饿了 |
wo è le |
I am hungry |
我要买。。。 |
wo yào mǎi… |
I want to buy… |
太贵了 |
taì guì le! |
Too expensive! |
这个 |
zhè ge |
this |
那个 |
nà ge |
that |
茶 |
chá |
tea |
____ 在哪里? |
___ zài nǎli |
Where is ____? |
厕所 |
cèsuǒ |
toilet |
银行 |
yín háng |
bank |
商店 |
shang dian |
shop |
超市 |
chao shi |
supermarket |
公园 |
gōng yuan |
park |
路;街 |
lù;jiē |
road/street |
出租车 / 的士 |
chū zū chē / dishi |
taxi |
公共汽车 |
gōng gōng qìchē |
bus |
火车站 |
huǒchē zhàn |
railway station |
飞机场 |
fēijī chǎng |
Airport |
For more detailed information on learning basic mandarin, there are several good websites such as:
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