Learning Chinese phrases for everyday conversation is essential for anyone who wants to communicate effectively in Chinese-speaking countries or with Chinese-speaking individuals. Whether you are traveling, doing business, or simply interacting with Chinese friends and acquaintances, knowing these phrases will greatly enhance your ability to connect and engage with others.
In this blog post, we will cover the top 20 Chinese phrases that are commonly used in everyday conversation. These phrases have been carefully selected to provide you with a solid foundation in Chinese communication. By mastering these phrases, you will be able to greet others, ask for directions, order food and drinks, make small talk, express gratitude and apologies, discuss hobbies and interests, talk about family and friends, and close a conversation in Chinese.
Key Takeaways
- Learning basic Chinese phrases can greatly improve communication in everyday situations.
- Greetings and polite expressions are important in Chinese culture and should be used appropriately.
- Asking for directions in Chinese requires knowledge of basic directional words and phrases.
- Ordering food and drinks in Chinese involves understanding menu items and basic food-related vocabulary.
- Making small talk in Chinese can involve discussing topics such as hobbies, interests, and the weather.
Greetings and Polite Expressions in Chinese
1. 你好 (nǐ hǎo) – Hello
2. 再见 (zài jiàn) – Goodbye
3. 谢谢 (xiè xiè) – Thank you
4. 不客气 (bú kè qì) – You’re welcome
5. 对不起 (duì bù qǐ) – I’m sorry
Greetings are an important part of any culture, and Chinese culture is no exception. In Chinese, there are several common greetings that you should be familiar with. “你好” (nǐ hǎo) is the most basic and commonly used greeting, which means “hello.” “再见” (zài jiàn) is used to say “goodbye” when parting ways with someone.
Polite expressions are also crucial in Chinese culture. “谢谢” (xiè xiè) means “thank you” and is used to express gratitude. “不客气” (bú kè qì) is the appropriate response to “谢谢” (xiè xiè) and means “you’re welcome.” “对不起” (duì bù qǐ) is used to apologize or to say “I’m sorry.”
Asking for Directions in Chinese
6. 请问，去…怎么走？(qǐng wèn, qù…zěn me zǒu?) – Excuse me, how do I get to…?
7. 在哪里可以打的？(zài nǎ lǐ kě yǐ dǎ de?) – Where can I catch a taxi?
8. 附近有没有地铁站？(fù jìn yǒu méi yǒu dì tiě zhàn?) – Is there a subway station nearby?
When traveling or exploring a new city, it’s important to know how to ask for directions in Chinese. The phrase “请问，去…怎么走？” (qǐng wèn, qù…zěn me zǒu?) means “Excuse me, how do I get to…?” This phrase can be used when asking for directions to a specific location.
If you need to catch a taxi, you can use the phrase “在哪里可以打的？” (zài nǎ lǐ kě yǐ dǎ de?), which means “Where can I catch a taxi?” This phrase will help you find a taxi stand or know where to hail a taxi.
If you prefer to use public transportation, you can ask “附近有没有地铁站？” (fù jìn yǒu méi yǒu dì tiě zhàn?), which means “Is there a subway station nearby?” This phrase will help you locate the nearest subway station.
Ordering Food and Drinks in Chinese
| Metrics | Description |
|---|---|
| Popular dishes | Top 5 most ordered dishes in Chinese restaurants |
| Delivery time | Average time it takes for food to be delivered |
| Order accuracy | Percentage of orders that are correct |
| Customer satisfaction | Percentage of customers who rate their experience as positive |
| Menu variety | Number of different dishes and drinks available on the menu |
9. 我想点菜 (wǒ xiǎng diǎn cài) – I would like to order
10. 请给我一杯水 (qǐng gěi wǒ yī bēi shuǐ) – Please give me a glass of water
11. 我对某些食物过敏 (wǒ duì mǒu xiē shí wù guò mǐn) – I am allergic to certain foods
Food is an important part of Chinese culture, and knowing how to order food and drinks in Chinese will greatly enhance your dining experience. The phrase “我想点菜” (wǒ xiǎng diǎn cài) means “I would like to order” and can be used when you are ready to place your order at a restaurant.
If you are thirsty and would like a glass of water, you can say “请给我一杯水” (qǐng gěi wǒ yī bēi shuǐ), which means “Please give me a glass of water.” This phrase can also be used to request other beverages, such as tea or coffee.
If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, it’s important to communicate this to the restaurant staff. You can say “我对某些食物过敏” (wǒ duì mǒu xiē shí wù guò mǐn), which means “I am allergic to certain foods.” This phrase will help ensure that your meal is prepared without any ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction.
Making Small Talk in Chinese
12. 你是哪里人？(nǐ shì nǎ lǐ rén?) – Where are you from?
13. 你喜欢做什么？(nǐ xǐ huān zuò shén me?) – What do you like to do?
14. 你有兄弟姐妹吗？(nǐ yǒu xiōng dì jiě mèi ma?) – Do you have any siblings?
Small talk is a great way to break the ice and establish a connection with others. In Chinese culture, it is common to ask about someone’s background, interests, and family. The phrase “你是哪里人？” (nǐ shì nǎ lǐ rén?) means “Where are you from?” This question can lead to a conversation about hometowns, travel experiences, and cultural differences.
To get to know someone’s interests, you can ask “你喜欢做什么？” (nǐ xǐ huān zuò shén me?), which means “What do you like to do?” This question can lead to discussions about hobbies, sports, and leisure activities.
If you want to learn more about someone’s family, you can ask “你有兄弟姐妹吗？” (nǐ yǒu xiōng dì jiě mèi ma?), which means “Do you have any siblings?” This question can lead to conversations about family dynamics, traditions, and relationships.
Expressing Gratitude and Apologies in Chinese
15. 非常感谢 (fēi cháng gǎn xiè) – Thank you very much
16. 对不起，我迟到了 (duì bù qǐ, wǒ chí dào le) – I’m sorry, I’m late
17. 不好意思，打扰了 (bù hǎo yì si, dǎ rǎo le) – Excuse me for bothering you
Expressing gratitude and apologies is an important part of Chinese culture. The phrase “非常感谢” (fēi cháng gǎn xiè) means “Thank you very much” and can be used to express deep gratitude. This phrase is appropriate in formal and informal settings.
If you are running late for a meeting or appointment, you can say “对不起，我迟到了” (duì bù qǐ, wǒ chí dào le), which means “I’m sorry, I’m late.” This phrase shows respect for others’ time and acknowledges your tardiness.
If you need to interrupt someone or ask for assistance, you can say “不好意思，打扰了” (bù hǎo yì si, dǎ rǎo le), which means “Excuse me for bothering you.” This phrase is a polite way to get someone’s attention or ask for help.
Talking About the Weather in Chinese
18. 今天天气怎么样？(jīn tiān tiān qì zěn me yàng?) – How is the weather today?
19. 天气真好 (tiān qì zhēn hǎo) – The weather is really nice
20. 下雨了 (xià yǔ le) – It’s raining
Talking about the weather is a common topic of conversation in many cultures, and Chinese culture is no exception. The phrase “今天天气怎么样？” (jīn tiān tiān qì zěn me yàng?) means “How is the weather today?” This question can lead to discussions about outdoor activities, clothing choices, and seasonal changes.
If the weather is pleasant, you can say “天气真好” (tiān qì zhēn hǎo), which means “The weather is really nice.” This phrase can be used to express enjoyment of sunny or mild weather.
If it’s raining, you can say “下雨了” (xià yǔ le), which means “It’s raining.” This phrase can be used to discuss current weather conditions or to make plans for indoor activities.
Discussing Hobbies and Interests in Chinese
21. 我喜欢看电影 (wǒ xǐ huān kàn diàn yǐng) – I like watching movies
22. 我爱运动 (wǒ ài yùn dòng) – I love sports
23. 我喜欢旅行 (wǒ xǐ huān lǚ xíng) – I enjoy traveling
Discussing hobbies and interests is a great way to connect with others and find common ground. In Chinese, you can use the phrase “我喜欢看电影” (wǒ xǐ huān kàn diàn yǐng) to say “I like watching movies.” This phrase can lead to conversations about favorite films, actors, and genres.
If you are a sports enthusiast, you can say “我爱运动” (wǒ ài yùn dòng), which means “I love sports.” This phrase can be used to discuss favorite sports, teams, and athletes.
If you enjoy traveling, you can say “我喜欢旅行” (wǒ xǐ huān lǚ xíng), which means “I enjoy traveling.” This phrase can lead to discussions about favorite destinations, travel experiences, and cultural discoveries.
Talking About Family and Friends in Chinese
24. 我有一个弟弟 (wǒ yǒu yī gè dì dì) – I have a younger brother
25. 我的朋友很多 (wǒ de péng yǒu hěn duō) – I have many friends
26. 我的家人很重要 (wǒ de jiā rén hěn zhòng yào) – My family is very important
Talking about family and friends is a common topic of conversation in Chinese culture. The phrase “我有一个弟弟” (wǒ yǒu yī gè dì dì) means “I have a younger brother.” This phrase can be used to discuss family dynamics, sibling relationships, and birth order.
If you have a large circle of friends, you can say “我的朋友很多” (wǒ de péng yǒu hěn duō), which means “I have many friends.” This phrase can lead to discussions about friendship, social activities, and shared interests.
To emphasize the importance of family, you can say “我的家人很重要” (wǒ de jiā rén hěn zhòng yào), which means “My family is very important.” This phrase can be used to express love and appreciation for your family members.
Closing a Conversation in Chinese
27. 再见，祝你一路顺风 (zài jiàn, zhù nǐ yī lù shùn fēng) – Goodbye, have a safe journey
28. 很高兴认识你 (hěn gāo xìng rèn shí nǐ) – Nice to meet you
29. 我们下次再聊 (wǒ men xià cì zài liáo) – Let’s talk again next time
Closing a conversation in Chinese is just as important as starting one. The phrase “再见，祝你一路顺风” (zài jiàn, zhù nǐ yī lù shùn fēng) means “Goodbye, have a safe journey” and can be used when saying goodbye to someone who is leaving.
If you have just met someone for the first time, you can say “很高兴认识你” (hěn gāo xìng rèn shí nǐ), which means “Nice to meet you.” This phrase is a polite way to acknowledge the introduction and express pleasure in meeting someone new.
If you want to continue the conversation at a later time, you can say “我们下次再聊” (wǒ men xià cì z ài liáo). This phrase translates to “Let’s chat next time” in English. It is a polite way to indicate that you would like to continue the conversation in the future. It shows that you are interested in maintaining a connection and continuing the discussion at a later date.
