Essential Mandarin Chinese Phrases for Solo Travelers

Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world and essential for travelers exploring China and Taiwan. This guide provides key phrases to help solo travelers navigate transportation, accommodation, dining, and more. Learn useful expressions, pronunciation, and cultural insights for an enriched journey.

Basics: Greetings and Pleasantries

Hello: 你好 (nǐ hǎo)
Goodbye: 再见 (zài jiàn)
Please: 请 (qǐng)
Thank you: 谢谢 (xiè xie)
You're welcome: 不客气 (bú kè qì)
Excuse me / Sorry: 对不起 (duì bù qǐ)
Yes / No: 是 / 不是 (shì / bú shì)

Transportation: Directions, Taxis, Buses, etc.

Where is the bus station?: 公交车站在哪里? (gōng jiāo chē zhàn zài nǎ lǐ?)
How much is a taxi to [location]?: 到[location]打车多少钱? (dào [location] dǎ chē duō shǎo qián?)
I want to go to the airport: 我要去机场 (wǒ yào qù jī chǎng).
What time does the train leave?: 火车几点发车? (huǒ chē jǐ diǎn fā chē?)
Is this the right bus to [location]?: 这辆车去[location]吗? (zhè liàng chē qù [location] ma?)

Accommodation: Hotel Check-in/Check-out, Room Service

I have a reservation: 我有预订 (wǒ yǒu yù dìng).
Do you have a room available?: 有空房间吗? (yǒu kòng fáng jiān ma?)
What is the Wi-Fi password?: Wi-Fi密码是什么? (Wi-Fi mì mǎ shì shén me?)
I need extra towels: 我需要多一些毛巾 (wǒ xū yào duō yī xiē máo jīn).
Can I check out late?: 我可以晚一点退房吗? (wǒ kě yǐ wǎn yī diǎn tuì fáng ma?)

Dining: Ordering Food, Allergies, Compliments

Can I see the menu, please?: 请给我菜单 (qǐng gěi wǒ cài dān).
I am allergic to [item]: 我对[item]过敏 (wǒ duì [item] guò mǐn).
Can I have [dish] without [ingredient]?: 可以不要[ingredient]吗? (kě yǐ bú yào [ingredient] ma?)
The food is delicious: 食物很好吃 (shí wù hěn hǎo chī).
Can I have the bill, please?: 请给我账单 (qǐng gěi wǒ zhàng dān).

Emergencies: Medical Help, Lost Belongings

Help!: 救命! (jiù mìng!)
I need a doctor: 我需要医生 (wǒ xū yào yī shēng).
Call the police: 请叫警察 (qǐng jiào jǐng chá).
I’ve lost my passport: 我的护照丢了 (wǒ de hù zhào diū le).
Where is the nearest hospital?: 最近的医院在哪里? (zuì jìn de yī yuàn zài nǎ lǐ?)

Shopping: Prices, Bargaining

How much does this cost?: 这个多少钱? (zhè ge duō shǎo qián?)
Can you lower the price?: 可以便宜一点吗? (kě yǐ pián yí yī diǎn ma?)
Do you accept credit cards?: 你们接受信用卡吗? (nǐ men jiē shòu xìn yòng kǎ ma?)
I’m just looking: 我只是看看 (wǒ zhǐ shì kàn kan).
Where can I buy [item]?: 我在哪里可以买到[item]? (wǒ zài nǎ lǐ kě yǐ mǎi dào [item]?)

What is your name?: 你叫什么名字? (nǐ jiào shén me míng zì?)
My name is [Name]: 我的名字是[Name] (wǒ de míng zì shì [Name]).
Where are you from?: 你来自哪里? (nǐ lái zì nǎ lǐ?)
I’m from [country]: 我来自[country] (wǒ lái zì [country]).
Nice to meet you: 很高兴认识你 (hěn gāo xìng rèn shí nǐ).

Extra: Technology and Internet

Do you have Wi-Fi?: 有Wi-Fi吗? (yǒu Wi-Fi ma?)
What’s the Wi-Fi password?: Wi-Fi密码是什么? (Wi-Fi mì mǎ shì shén me?)
Can I charge my phone here?: 我可以在这里充电吗? (wǒ kě yǐ zài zhè lǐ chōng diàn ma?)

Extra: Local Customs

How do I say [word] in Mandarin?: [word]用中文怎么说? ([word] yòng zhōng wén zěn me shuō?)
Can you write that down?: 你可以写下来吗? (nǐ kě yǐ xiě xià lái ma?)
I don’t understand: 我听不懂 (wǒ tīng bù dǒng).
Can you speak more slowly?: 你可以说慢一点吗? (nǐ kě yǐ shuō màn yī diǎn ma?)