Language/Mandarin-chinese/Vocabulary/Expressions-to-survive-in-China

你好,

Are you going to China for a while? Here is a list of Chinese expressions to communicate with your local interlocutors and to "survive" there.

With this lesson well in hand, you might want to consider these connected topics for further learning: 爱 ài, Introducing Each Other (Business ..., 帮(幫) bāng help; gang, clique & 由 yóu from.

你好 Nǐ hǎo: hello

For the polite form, prefer nín hao.

我不說中文／我不说中文 Wǒ bù shuō zhōngwén: I do not speak Chinese

At least not yet. A very useful expression to immediately remove any ambiguity.

我不明白 Wǒ bù míngbái: I do not understand

In addition to the previous sentence for example.

歡迎／欢迎 Huānyíng: welcome

So that the guests feel at home.

久仰久仰 Jiǔyǎng jiǔyǎng: honored to meet you

When you meet someone you have heard (good things) about.

怎麼樣／怎么样 Zěnmeyàng: how are you?

A rather familiar catch-all phrase. To be avoided in formal circumstances.

谢谢／謝謝 Xièxie: thanks

In testimony of your eternal gratitude.

對不起／对不起 Duì bù qǐ: sorry

A little politeness is the least of things.

沒關係／没关系 Méi guānxi: it's nothing

Or also "no problem", "it does not matter"

我餓／我饿 Wǒ è: I'm hungry

In such a country, it would be criminal to miss out on meals. Or not, it's according to the tastes ...

多少錢／多少钱 Duō shǎo qián: how much does it cost?

To take the measure.

慢慢吃 Mànmàn chi: Enjoy your meal

Literally, it means "take your time while eating" or "eat slowly".

買單／买单 Mǎi dān: the check please

A must, unfortunately.

Other Lessons

• 酒 jiŭ liquor, wine, spirits
• 掉 diào fall, drop; lose
• 色 sè color
• 新 xīn new, fresh
• 还是 háishì
• 改 găi change; correct
• 数(數) shù number, figure; several
• 占(佔) zhàn occupy
• 费(費) fèi spend; expense
• At Home