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

I

you

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?

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

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

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: