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Chinese phrases for travel: the ones you'll actually use

Greetings and being polite

The pinyin in the tables is written as in the dictionary. In speech, 不 (bù) becomes bú before a fourth tone: 不客气 sounds like bú kèqi. And 一 (yī) becomes yì before a first, second or third tone, and yí before a fourth: 一点 sounds like yìdiǎn, and 一下 like yíxià. We explain it in the 4 Mandarin tones.

When you don't understand

At a restaurant

To ask for the bill, say 服务员，买单！ (fúwùyuán, mǎidān!). You'll also hear 结账 (jiézhàng), which means the same thing, “to pay the bill”, and is a bit more formal. For a different allergy, swap 花生 for the word you need: the pattern is 我对…过敏 (wǒ duì … guòmǐn).

Shopping

Written prices use 元 (yuán); in speech, people often say 块 (kuài), which is more casual: 五十块 is 50 yuan. To understand the answer, brush up on Chinese numbers before you go.

Taxis, the subway and trains

• Show the address written in characters. It's much safer than trying to pronounce a street name. Save your hotel's name and address in Chinese on your phone, or ask the front desk to write them down for you.
• 师傅 (shīfu) is the respectful way to address someone who has a trade, like a taxi driver.

At the hotel

Emergencies

Emergency numbers in China

According to the Beijing government, these numbers work nationwide and the call is free. When you call, say as precisely as you can where you are: if you can't say it in Chinese, ask someone nearby for help or show the written address.

Paying by phone: Alipay and WeChat Pay

In China, people often pay by scanning QR codes with their phones. Since 2023, tourists can use their own cards:

• Alipay (支付宝, Zhīfùbǎo): after signing up, you choose the International Version and link a credit or debit card from an international card network, issued outside the Chinese mainland. In June 2023, Alipay announced that travelers could link their Mastercard. With a foreign card, you can't make person-to-person transfers.
• WeChat Pay (微信支付, Wēixìn zhīfù): in July 2023, Tencent announced that it accepted international cards. Its 2025 guide explains that you sign up for WeChat with your international phone number and link a Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Discover, Diners Club or UnionPay card.

Set up the app and test your card before you travel: terms and fees change. And always carry a second way to pay, in case one fails.

A pronunciation tip

A few pinyin letters trip up English speakers. The q is not a k: it's close to the “ch” in “cheap”, with a strong puff of air (钱 qián, money). The x is close to the “sh” in “sheep”, but with your lips spread and the flat front part of your tongue raised toward the roof of your mouth, almost like a “y” (谢谢 xièxie). The zh is close to the “j” in “jack”, with your tongue pulled back (中文 Zhōngwén). And the c sounds like the “ts” in “bats” (菜单 càidān, menu). One more thing: to ask a yes-or-no question, you don't need to raise your voice at the end; just add 吗 (ma). If you'd like to fine-tune these sounds, read the trickiest pinyin sounds.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you ask for the bill in Chinese?

Say 买单 (mǎidān): for example, 服务员，买单！ (fúwùyuán, mǎidān!). 结账 (jiézhàng) also means paying the bill and is a bit more formal.

What is the emergency number in China?

110 for the police, 120 for an ambulance and 119 for the fire department; for traffic accidents, 122. They work nationwide and the call is free.

How do you say “I don't understand” in Chinese?

我听不懂 (wǒ tīng bu dǒng), which means “I don't understand what I'm hearing”. If you'd like someone to write it down, ask 可以写下来吗？ (kěyǐ xiě xiàlai ma?).

Can I use my foreign card in China?

Since 2023, Alipay and WeChat Pay let you link credit or debit cards issued outside China and pay with your phone by scanning QR codes. Check the terms in the app before you travel.

How do I tell a taxi driver where I'm going?

Show the address written in Chinese characters and say 师傅，去这个地方 (shīfu, qù zhège dìfang): “this place, please”. To get them to stop, say 在这儿停一下 (zài zhèr tíng yīxià).

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