Chinese Phrasebook
Essential Chinese phrases to help you communicate during your travels
Greetings
Hello
你好
Nǐ hǎo
Greetings
Goodbye
再见
Zài jiàn
Greetings
Thank you
谢谢
Xiè xie
Greetings
Sorry
对不起
Duì bu qǐ
Greetings
You're welcome
不客气
Bú kè qi
Essential Phrases
Excuse me
请问
Qǐng wèn
Essential Phrases
How much is this?
这个多少钱？
Zhè ge duō shǎo qián?
Essential Phrases
I would like...
我想要...
Wǒ xiǎng yào...
Essential Phrases
Where is the bathroom?
洗手间在哪里？
Xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ?
Numbers
One
一
Yī
Numbers
Two
二
Èr
Numbers
Three
三
Sān
Numbers
Four
四
Sì
Numbers
Five
五
Wǔ
Food & Dining
Menu
菜单
Cài dān
Food & Dining
May I have a menu?
请给我菜单
Qǐng gěi wǒ cài dān
Food & Dining
Water
水
Shuǐ
Food & Dining
Check the bill
买单
Mǎi dān
Pronunciation Guide
Chinese uses four main tones that change the meaning of words. Practice these tones to improve your pronunciation.
1
First Tone
ā
High, flat tone
Like saying "ah" in surprise
2
Second Tone
á
Rising tone
Like asking "what?"
3
Third Tone
ǎ
Falling-rising tone
Like saying "really?"
4
Fourth Tone
à
Falling tone
Like a command "stop!"