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 hao: hello
For the polite form, prefer nín hao.
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.
Wǒ bù dǒng: I did not understand
In addition to the previous sentence for example.
Huānyíng huānyíng: welcome
So that the guests feel at home.
Jiǔyǎng jiǔyǎng: honored to meet you
When you meet someone you have heard (good things) about.
Zěnmeyàng: how are you?
A rather familiar catch-all phrase. To be avoided in formal circumstances.
Xièxie: thanks
In testimony of your eternal gratitude.
Duì bù qǐ: sorry
A little politeness is the least of things.
Méi guānxi: it's nothing
Or also "no problem", "it does not matter"
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 ...
Duō shǎo qián: how much does it cost?
To take the measure.
Zhè tài guì: it's too expensive
Mànmàn chi: Enjoy your meal
Literally, it means "take your time while eating" or "eat slowly".
Mǎi dān: the check please
A must, unfortunately.