Most visitors can get through China with a translation app, a saved address and a short list of Chinese phrases. The phrases below cover the moments when the map, QR menu or spoken explanation has failed: telling a driver where to go, pointing to a dish, asking the price, finding a toilet and getting help. Save the page offline, then tap a card to show the Chinese in large type.
Mandarin is China's standard common language and the most useful shared language for a visitor. It is not every resident's first language, and local languages remain part of daily life across the country.
## Hello and thank you in Chinese
**你好 (nǐ hǎo)** means hello, and **谢谢 (xièxie)** means thank you. Two other short phrases are useful in crowded, everyday situations: **不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi)** for “excuse me” or a light apology, and **不用谢 (bú yòng xiè)** for “you’re welcome.”
Pronunciation helps, but the written characters are the stronger travel backup. If someone does not understand you, show the phrase instead of repeating it louder.
## Tap to show: the 12 phrases worth saving
## At a restaurant
Pointing plus **这个 (zhège, this one)** handles more meals than a long memorized sentence. Add a number with your fingers, then use one precise modifier.
| Chinese | Pinyin | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 我要这个 | Wǒ yào zhège | I want this one |
| 两个 | Liǎng ge | Two of them |
| 不要辣 | Bù yào là | Not spicy, please |
| 少辣 | Shǎo là | Less spicy |
| 不要放花生 | Bù yào fàng huāshēng | Do not add peanuts |
| 这个里面有肉吗？ | Zhège lǐmiàn yǒu ròu ma? | Is there meat in this? |
| 买单 | Mǎidān | The bill, please |
For dishes, QR menus and allergy wording, open the [China food ordering guide](/en/china-food-ordering-guide/). A translated sentence is not a guarantee against allergens or cross-contact; if a reaction could be severe, carry your medical plan and confirm directly with the restaurant.
## In a taxi or Didi
Drivers work best with a pinned destination and the place name in Chinese. Show the full Chinese address before the car moves; traveler discussions repeatedly describe this as more reliable than trying to pronounce a hotel or attraction name.
- **我要去这里 — Wǒ yào qù zhèlǐ** — I want to go here.
- **请在这里停车 — Qǐng zài zhèlǐ tíngchē** — Please stop here.
- **是这个地址吗？— Shì zhège dìzhǐ ma?** — Is this the address?
- **我在东门 — Wǒ zài dōngmén** — I am at the east gate.
Large stations and airports can have several pickup levels. The Chinese gate name is more useful than a long spoken explanation. Our [Didi guide](/en/didi/) explains pickup zones and plate checks.
## Prices, tickets and shops
- **多少钱？— Duōshao qián?** — How much is it?
- **可以刷卡吗？— Kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?** — Can I pay by card?
- **可以用现金吗？— Kěyǐ yòng xiànjīn ma?** — Can I use cash?
- **有小一点的吗？— Yǒu xiǎo yìdiǎn de ma?** — Is there a smaller one?
- **我只看看 — Wǒ zhǐ kànkan** — I am just looking.
When a QR flow fails, show **我扫不了这个码** and ask whether staff can take the order or payment another way. Keep the [payment backup plan](/en/pay/china-payment-backup/) ready rather than repeatedly scanning an unfamiliar code.
## Directions and practical help
| Chinese | Pinyin | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| ……在哪里？ | ... zài nǎlǐ? | Where is ...? |
| 地铁站在哪里？ | Dìtiě zhàn zài nǎlǐ? | Where is the metro station? |
| 洗手间在哪里？ | Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ? | Where is the toilet? |
| 请写下来 | Qǐng xiě xiàlái | Please write it down |
| 请说慢一点 | Qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn | Please speak more slowly |
| 请帮我叫警察 | Qǐng bāng wǒ jiào jǐngchá | Please help me call the police |
| 我需要去医院 | Wǒ xūyào qù yīyuàn | I need to go to a hospital |
For an urgent emergency in mainland China, the commonly used public numbers are **110 for police, 120 for ambulance and 119 for fire**. Hotel or station staff may be able to help communicate your location.
## Pronunciation: be understandable, not perfect
Chinese tones carry meaning, but context, pointing and the written characters do a lot of work in travel situations. Focus first on the rhythm of the whole phrase. Three pinyin letters worth relearning are **q** (a forward “ch”), **x** (a soft “sh”) and **c** (“ts”).
Use the [Pinyin converter and pronunciation guide](/en/tools/pinyin/) when you want to turn numbered pinyin into tone marks or practice a place name.
## Save an offline language kit
Before flying, save the following in one phone note:
1. Hotel name, full address and phone number in Chinese.
2. Every booked attraction and station name in Chinese.
3. The allergy or dietary sentence you actually need.
4. A screenshot of the route from the station to the hotel.
5. The 12 show-on-screen cards above.
That note remains useful when mobile data, translation or a mini-program does not load. Keep your home number reachable and read [how to travel in China without a Chinese phone number](/en/china-travel-without-chinese-phone-number/) for the rest of the offline setup.