Let’s start with greetings…
1. How are you?
Chinese: Nǐ hǎo ma? (Nee-hao-mah?) 你好吗
You may already know this greeting. If it’s your first time hearing it, then you should familiarize yourself with it as soon as you can. It’s the most common way Chinese native speakers will greet one another.
2. Hello?
Chinese: Wèi (/way/ 喂)
This particular greeting is used when answering a phone call. In English, we also use ‘Hello?’ when answering a call, whereas we would say ‘Hey or Hi’ when meeting in person. Speaking of…
3. Hi/Hey
Chinese: Nǐhǎo 你好
Another common greeting, and small variation of ‘Ni-hao-ma.’
4. Thank you
Chinese : Xièxie. (sshyeah-sshyeah) 谢 谢
The culture in Asia takes great pride in showing politeness and courtesy wherever they go. Prepare to use this word often, particularly as a foreigner in a Chinese-speaking country.
5. Good morning
Chinese: 你早 (nǐ zǎo)
Depending on the time of the day, you may want to use this instead of the more commonly used ‘Ni-hao.’ Who knows, you may even surprise someone with your skills.
6. Good night
Chinese translation: 晚安 (wǎnān)
And for night time…
7. See you later
Chinese: 回头见。(húi tóu jiàn)
This phrase is used if you plan to see the person in the near future. Perhaps a friend that you see every two weeks to catch up over coffee, you can say: húi tóu jiàn!
8. Excuse me
Chinese: 請問 [请问] qǐngwén – to attract attention (“may I ask”)
If you need to grab someone’s attention to ask a question or help them with something, you can say ‘qǐngwén.’ This is important if you’re in a busy and noisy setting.
9. Sorry
Chinese: 對不起 [对不起] (duìbùqǐ)
Hopefully, you won’t have to use this word too often, but it will come up. As long as you didn’t do anything too horrible, a sincere apology in their native language will likely make things up.
Hearing a foreigner attempt to apologize in your spoken tongue will add that extra layer of respect.
10. Nice to meet you
Chinese: 幸會 [幸会] (xìng huì)
You’ll most likely be using this while shaking someone’s hand and looking them in the eye. Performing these multiple actions at the same time may confuse you, so review this phrase once more.
11. Please
Chinese : 請 [请] (qǐng)
Being polite will take you a long way in terms of building a stronger relationship and respect with Chinese speakers. Make sure you’re not using it too often, as the effect will wear off soon.
12. What’s your name?
Chinese : 你贵姓大名? (nǐ guì xìng dà míng?)
The first step to meeting a potential new friend abroad is to exchange names! So don’t just ask for their name, but be sure to add 我姓… (wǒ xìng…) — mine is… when you speak to them.
13. I don’t understand
Chinese: 我听不懂 (wǒ tīng bù dǒng)
If you don’t understand something in Chinese, don’t be afraid to be real with the person you’re speaking to. While it can be all too easy to fall into the habit of repeating 我听不懂 (wǒ tīng bù dǒng) — I don’t understand all the time, it’s still a good phrase to use when you legitimately can’t understand something.
14. Where are you from?
Chinese: 你是哪國人? (nǐ shì nǎguórén)
A useful question to ask when having a conversation with someone. This could refer to what city in China or another country in Asia they’re from or what nationality they are.
15. Leave me alone
Chinese : 别管我! (bié guǎn wǒ)
Same goes for this. Definitely important to familiarize yourself and the people you’re traveling with on how to avoid trouble. At the very least, it will let strangers around you recognize that you may not be in a potentially dangerous situation.
16. How much is this?
Chinese: Duōshao qián? 多少钱 (Dwor-sshaoww chyen?)
If you’re an avid shopper or simply a fan of Chinese products and services, get ready to use this. More importantly, you may need to prepare for a lengthy negotiation process.
17. Get well soon
Chinese: 快點好啦 [快点好啦] (kuài diǎn hào la)
Send a friend or co-worker your love if you know that they’re sick or injured.
18. I love you
Chinese: 我愛你 [我爱你] (wǒ ài nǐ)
Make someone’s heart melt by telling them you love them in their native language.
19. I miss you
Chinese: 我想你 (wǒ xiǎng nǐ)
If you’re not at the ‘I love you’ stage in the relationship or just simply showing a friend some affection, go with a simple ‘wǒ xiǎng nǐ’.
20. Happy birthday
Chinese : 生日快乐 [生日快樂] (shēngrì kuàilè)
Kind of like ‘Shang-ri-la’ the hotel but with ‘Shen.’
