- Learning just a handful of Chinese travel phrases can make ordering food, shopping, and meeting locals far smoother.
- Greetings like 好久不见 (hǎojǐu bújiàn) and 欢迎光临 (huānyíng guānglín) are some of the first expressions you will hear in China.
- Practical phrases for prices and bargaining, such as 这个多少钱？ and 可以便宜一点吗？, are especially useful at markets.
- Asking 可以加你的微信吗？ (Can I add your WeChat?) is one of the most natural ways to stay in touch with new friends.
- Reviewing pinyin first and practicing a little each day will help these phrases stick before you travel.
Planning a trip to China and looking for useful Chinese travel phrases? This guide shares 10 practical expressions that will help you connect with locals on your journey to the Middle Kingdom.
If you are new to the language, it helps to review an interactive pinyin chart first and keep it handy as you work through the phrases below. Pairing each phrase with its pinyin makes the pronunciation much easier to remember.
A little preparation goes a long way. Even a small set of well-chosen expressions can open doors, spark conversations, and show locals that you are making a genuine effort.
01 Why learn a few Chinese travel phrases?
You do not need to be fluent to get a lot of value from Mandarin while traveling. A few core phrases cover most everyday situations, from greetings to shopping to saying goodbye.
Speaking even a little Chinese also tends to be met with warmth and encouragement. Locals often appreciate the effort, and that goodwill can turn a simple transaction into a memorable interaction.
If you would like a broader foundation before your trip, it is worth spending time on some basic Chinese words alongside the travel phrases in this guide. We also invite you to sign up for one-on-one online Chinese lessons via Skype, Zoom, or phone with CLI before you set off.
02 10 useful Chinese travel phrases
We suggest choosing the phrases below that you think will be most useful during your travels, then committing them to memory. Practice them out loud a few times so they feel natural when the moment comes.
1. 好久不见 | Hǎojǐu bújiàn | Long time no see
This is a classic example of good "Chinglish." It literally translates to "long time no see," and you can use it when you reunite with old Chinese friends.
It also pairs nicely with other greetings. If you want more options, take a look at the most common ways to say hi in Chinese.
2. 欢迎光临 | Huānyíng guānglín | Welcome (to a place)
You will hear this phrase a lot. It is the common greeting that restaurants and shops use whenever a customer walks in.
3. 我是 … 人 | Wǒ shì … rén | I am [insert nationality]
This comes in handy when you first introduce yourself. A nice approach is to simply say your name and where you are from:
你好！我叫 Ben，我是美国人 (Nǐ hǎo! Wǒ jiào Ben, wǒ shì Měiguórén) — "Hi! I'm Ben, I'm American."
Here is a full list of country names in Chinese. Just remember to add 人 (rén) after the country to turn it into a demonym.
If you want to make sure people understand your name, you can also explore Chinese transliterations of common English names and learn how to say your name in Chinese. It is a small detail that makes introductions feel much more personal.
4. 你会说英语吗？ | Nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma? | Can you speak English?
While it is always great to try your best to use Chinese, we all occasionally need a little help. If you are reading this, you are most likely a native English speaker or at least at an intermediate level.
You can use this phrase to first ask whether someone speaks English. It is a kinder, more polite way to switch languages than launching straight into English.
5. … 中文怎么说？ | … Zhōngwén zěnme shuō? | How do you say … in Chinese?
If your Chinese friends speak some English, you can ask for translations while still keeping the conversation going in Chinese. For example:
"Delicious" 中文怎么说？ — "How do you say 'delicious' in Chinese?"
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6. 祝你早日康复 | Zhù nǐ zǎorì kāngfù | Get well soon
Maybe your friend had a little too much street food the night before and is now not feeling well. You can use this phrase to wish them a speedy recovery.
If you have dietary needs of your own, a bit of planning helps. Our guide to being vegetarian in China covers handy vocabulary for navigating menus and street stalls with confidence.
7. 这个多少钱？ | Zhège duōshǎo qián? | How much is this?
Despite its rapid economic development, the cost of living in China remains relatively low, especially compared with many Western countries. That means plenty of shopping opportunities, so this is a very useful phrase to learn.
It also helps to recognize the currency you will be handling. Our overview of the Chinese renminbi explains the notes, coins, and everyday money vocabulary you will encounter.
8. 可以便宜一点吗？ | Kěyǐ piányí yīdiǎn ma? | Can you lower the price?
So you know the price — now it is time to test your bargaining skills. Haggling is a normal and expected part of the shopping experience at many markets.
If you are exploring nearby market stalls, you can always ask politely whether the price can come down. A friendly tone goes a long way and often gets better results than pushing too hard.
9. 可以加你的微信吗？ | Kěyǐ jiā nǐ de Wéixìn ma? | Can I add your WeChat?
If you have spent any time in China, you will have noticed how central WeChat is to daily life. It is one of the country's major digital communication tools and a great way to keep in touch with new friends.
10. 一路平安 | Yīlù-píng'ān | Bon voyage
Whether you stay in China for a few days or several years, eventually you will part ways with the Middle Kingdom to visit family abroad or travel onward. You will hear this phrase from friends and coworkers who want to wish you a safe and pleasant journey.
03 Quick-reference phrase table
Use the table below as a handy cheat sheet to review before and during your trip. Tap or focus on any Chinese phrase to study it more closely.
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 好久不见 | Long time no see | |
| 欢迎光临 | Welcome (to a place) | |
| 我是…人 | I am [nationality] | |
| 你会说英语吗？ | Can you speak English? | |
| …中文怎么说？ | How do you say … in Chinese? | |
| 祝你早日康复 | Get well soon | |
| 这个多少钱？ | How much is this? | |
| 可以便宜一点吗？ | Can you lower the price? | |
| 可以加你的微信吗？ | Can I add your WeChat? | |
| 一路平安 | Bon voyage; have a safe trip |
04 Tips for getting the most out of these phrases
The fastest way to make these phrases stick is to use them, even imperfectly. Practice each one out loud and pay attention to the tones, since they change meaning in Mandarin.
It also helps to learn a few "rescue" expressions. Knowing how to apologize politely is one of them, so it is worth seeing how to say sorry in Chinese before you go.
Want more travel phrases? Watch the video below for additional ideas to learn before your China adventure begins.
05 FAQ
Do I really need to learn Chinese before traveling to China?
You can get by in major cities with English and translation apps, but even a few phrases make daily interactions smoother and more enjoyable. Locals tend to respond warmly to visitors who make the effort.
Is bargaining really acceptable when shopping in China?
Yes, haggling is normal at many markets and stalls and is often expected. A polite, friendly approach usually works better than being aggressive about the price.
What is WeChat and why does it matter for travelers?
WeChat is one of China's most important apps, used for messaging, payments, and staying in touch. Asking to add someone's WeChat is one of the most natural ways to keep in contact after meeting.
How do I introduce myself and say my name in Chinese?
You can combine your name with your nationality, for example 我叫 … 我是 … 人. Many English names also have common Chinese transliterations you can use.
Why do tones matter so much in these phrases?
Mandarin is a tonal language, so the same syllable can mean different things depending on its tone. Practicing tones from the start helps people understand you more easily.
06 Final thoughts
You will be surprised how far these Chinese travel phrases can take you during your journey in China. Don't worry if they feel difficult at first — persistence is key.
If you ever feel discouraged, remember that progress comes with practice. Our honest look at whether Chinese is hard to learn may help put the challenge in perspective.
Not sure which part of the country to explore first? Whether you fancy a beach break in Hainan, Qing Dynasty history in Shenyang, or a canal ride in Suzhou, China has a destination for you.
Ready to take a deeper dive into the language? You can Learn Chinese in China with CLI and put these travel phrases into practice from day one.