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.

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.

Related 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