A1 Survival phrases and words in Chinese
The minimum Mandarin Chinese you need to stay functional as a tourist or newcomer in mainland China, Taiwan, or among Mandarin-speaking communities. China's tonal system means pronunciation matters more than in most languages, but Chinese people are exceptionally patient with foreign learners and the effort alone creates goodwill. These phrases are short, practical, and high-frequency — the ones that will rescue you the most.
12 phrases · meanings & example sentences
“请说慢一点”
Please speak more slowly. 'qǐng' is the polite 'please', 'shuō' is 'speak', 'màn' is 'slow', 'yīdiǎn' means 'a little'. This is essential because Mandarin in rapid natural speech can be nearly incomprehensible to beginners. Most people will happily slow down when asked.
- A taxi driver in Shanghai is asking you to confirm the destination address in rapid Mandarin — '请说慢一点' and he repeats it clearly.
- The hotel receptionist in Beijing is explaining the breakfast schedule and check-out time at full speed — '请说慢一点，谢谢' and she adjusts immediately.
- A street vendor in Xi'an is describing different dishes quickly — '请说慢一点' before she loses you.
“我中文不太好”
My Chinese isn't very good. A humble, natural self-assessment that sets expectations and usually prompts patience. Chinese people genuinely appreciate any attempt at the language — this phrase combined with trying your best will get you warm responses far more often than asking for English.
- You arrive at a restaurant in Chengdu without an English menu — '我中文不太好，你们有图片菜单吗？' (do you have a picture menu?)
- Someone is giving you directions in rapid Mandarin — '我中文不太好，请说慢一点' combines the two most important phrases.
- At a government service window in Shenzhen with a form you don't understand — '我中文不太好' immediately signals you'll need extra patience.
“多少钱”
How much (money)? The most essential transaction phrase in Chinese. In markets, on street food stalls, with informal transport, this is the first thing you need to ask. In China, haggling is expected at most markets — starting with this phrase opens the negotiation. You don't even need to add a question particle; the rising intonation does the work.
- At a fabric market in Beijing where everything is negotiable — '多少钱?' points at the silk you want.
- A street dumpling stall in Chengdu with no price board — '多少钱?' before you order.
- A pedicab driver in a hutong in Beijing — '多少钱?' before you get in, so there's no dispute at the end.
“卫生间在哪儿”
Where is the bathroom? 'wèishēngjiān' is the standard Mandarin word (literally 'hygiene room'). You'll also see '洗手间' (xǐshǒujiān — washroom) and '厕所' (cèsuǒ — toilet, more blunt). The 'r' ending in 'nǎr' is a Beijing pronunciation; in other regions you'd hear 'nǎli'. All are understood everywhere.
- You've just arrived at a large Chinese shopping mall with confusing signage — '卫生间在哪儿?' to a staff member.
- At a highway rest stop in Hunan — '卫生间在哪儿?' to anyone working there.
- At a traditional teahouse in Hangzhou where the facilities aren't obvious — '卫生间在哪儿?' to the host.
“能再说一遍吗”
Can you say that one more time? 'zài' means 'again', 'yī biàn' means 'one time'. A polite and complete way to ask for a repetition. Slightly more complete than '什么？' (shénme — what?) which works but can sound abrupt. The 'ma' at the end makes it a question.
- A cashier says a number for the total and you want to confirm — '能再说一遍吗?' before you hand over the money.
- A train announcement is unclear — you ask the person next to you '能再说一遍吗?' about what was said.
- A waiter describes the dish of the day and you didn't catch the key ingredient — '能再说一遍吗?' and he repeats it more clearly.
“我只是看看”
I'm just looking / browsing. The reduplicated 'kànkan' (look-look) is very natural Chinese — reduplication often signals a casual, relaxed activity. This phrase is used constantly in shops and markets to politely signal you don't need help yet. It prevents you from being followed around by eager shopkeepers.
- You enter a silk shop in Suzhou and the assistant immediately starts showing you products — '我只是看看，谢谢' and she gives you space.
- At a ceramics shop in Jingdezhen — '我只是看看' lets you browse the shelves without a running commentary.
- In a phone accessory market in Shenzhen where vendors can be very persistent — '我只是看看' is your shield.
“买单”
The bill, please / I'd like to pay. Literally 'buy bill'. This is the casual, universal way to ask for the check at any Chinese restaurant. You might also hear '结账' (jiézhàng) which means the same thing. In China, the check is always brought to you — you ask for it either by saying this or by miming writing on your palm, which is universally understood.
- After a hotpot dinner in Chongqing — you catch the server's eye and say '买单'
- At a noodle shop in Xi'an when you're done eating — '买单' to whoever walks by.
- In a busy dim sum restaurant in Guangzhou — '买单' once the trolleys have slowed down and you're ready to go.
“我对___过敏”
I'm allergic to ___. Fill in with the allergen: 花生 (huāshēng, peanuts), 海鲜 (hǎixiān, seafood), 麸质 (fùzhì, gluten), 乳制品 (rǔzhìpǐn, dairy), 鸡蛋 (jīdàn, eggs). Chinese cuisine uses many hidden ingredients — oils, pastes, and broths are particularly complex. Don't assume dishes are safe without asking.
- In a Sichuan restaurant where the base broths often contain hidden ingredients — '我对花生过敏' clearly before ordering.
- At a seafood restaurant in Qingdao where almost everything contains hǎixiān — '我对海鲜过敏' before you sit down.
- At a street stall in Chengdu where peanut oil is standard — '我对花生过敏，可以不用花生油吗？' (can you use a different oil?)
“___是什么意思”
What does ___ mean? A clean, direct way to ask for an explanation of any word or phrase. Point at it on a menu, a sign, or on your phone — say or read the word, then add this. Chinese people are generally happy to explain and sometimes enjoy teaching foreigners.
- A menu item says '夫妻肺片' and you're not sure what you're ordering — '夫妻肺片是什么意思?' and the waiter explains it's thinly sliced beef and offal.
- A sign at a tourist site says '禁止拍照' — '这是什么意思?' and someone nearby tells you it means no photography.
- Someone uses the word '加油' to cheer you on — '加油是什么意思?' leads to a fun conversation about the idiom.
“等一下”
Wait a moment / just a second. 'děng' means 'wait', 'yīxià' means 'a moment'. Very natural and casual. You can also say '稍等' (shāoděng) which is slightly more formal. Both are used constantly in everyday Chinese — by native speakers at shops, on the phone, and at service counters.
- The taxi driver is about to drive off and you need to show him the address on your phone — '等一下！' urgently.
- A cashier is finishing your transaction and you've realized you want to add another item — '等一下' before she closes it out.
- You're in a conversation and need a second to find the right word or check your app — '等一下' buys you the moment you need.
“可以刷卡吗”
Can I pay by card? In China, WeChat Pay and Alipay have largely replaced both cash and bank cards for locals. However, foreign visitors often can't use these apps easily — cash (人民币, RMB/yuan) or international credit cards are the backup. Many places in tourist areas accept international cards, but smaller shops and street food stalls often don't. Always have cash.
- A small restaurant in a hutong in Beijing — '可以刷卡吗?' before ordering, so you can find an ATM if needed.
- A souvenir shop on the Great Wall — '可以刷卡吗?' before committing to a purchase.
- A taxi driver in Shanghai — '可以刷卡吗?' before the journey if you don't have cash.
“请问”
Excuse me, may I ask...? A polite opener before any question. 'qǐng' is 'please' and 'wèn' is 'ask'. It's the standard way to approach a stranger respectfully in China — starting a question without it can sound abrupt. Pair it with any of the other phrases here to make them feel more natural and complete.
- '请问，卫生间在哪儿？' — the polite way to ask a stranger for the bathroom.
- '请问，这个多少钱？' — approaching a market vendor respectfully before asking the price.
- '请问，附近有ATM吗？' (qǐngwèn, fùjìn yǒu ATM ma) — Excuse me, is there an ATM nearby? — a practical combo for when you need cash.
