Everyday conversations
Real communication happens in context. This page provides practical dialogues and phrases for common situations you'll encounter in China. Study these patterns — they're templates you can adapt by swapping vocabulary. Pay attention to the natural flow of conversation, which often differs from textbook Chinese.
At a restaurant
Dining out in China follows predictable patterns. The waiter will ask how many people, show you to a table, and take your order. Here's a typical exchange to help you navigate ordering with confidence:
服务员： 请问几位？ 客人： 两位。 服务员： 请坐。这是菜单。 (Later)客人： 我要宫保鸡丁和米饭。 服务员： 好的。喝什么？ 客人： 一杯绿茶。
Translation:
- Waiter: How many people?
- Customer: Two.
- Waiter: Please sit. Here's the menu.
- Customer: I'd like Kung Pao chicken and rice.
- Waiter: OK. What to drink?
- Customer: A cup of green tea.
Paying
In China, mobile payment (WeChat Pay and Alipay) is ubiquitous — often more common than cash or cards. These phrases will help you pay in any format:
- 买单/结账 (Mǎidān/Jiézhàng) — The bill, please
- 可以刷卡吗？(Kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?) — Can I pay by card?
- 可以用微信吗？(Kěyǐ yòng Wēixìn ma?) — Can I use WeChat?
Shopping
In markets and smaller shops, bargaining is expected — the first price quoted is rarely the final price. Start by asking the price, express surprise that it's too expensive, suggest a lower price, and negotiate from there. These phrases are your bargaining toolkit:
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 多少钱？ | Duōshao qián? | How much? |
| 太贵了 | Tài guì le | Too expensive |
| 便宜一点 | Piányi yìdiǎn | Cheaper please |
| 我买这个 | Wǒ mǎi zhège | I'll buy this |
| 不要了 | Búyào le | I don't want it |
Getting around
Navigating Chinese cities is easier than you might expect — public transportation is excellent and well-signed. These phrases help you ask for directions, find metro stations, and navigate by taxi. For taxis, showing your destination written in Chinese is often easier than trying to pronounce it:
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ...在哪儿？ | ...zài nǎr? | Where is...? |
| 怎么走？ | Zěnme zǒu? | How do I get there? |
| 一直走 | Yìzhí zǒu | Go straight |
| 左转 | Zuǒ zhuǎn | Turn left |
| 右转 | Yòu zhuǎn | Turn right |
| 地铁站 | Dìtiě zhàn | Metro station |
| 远吗？ | Yuǎn ma? | Is it far? |
Small talk
Chinese small talk differs from Western conventions. "Have you eaten?" (你吃了吗？) is a greeting, not an actual question about food — the expected answer is "yes" regardless of whether you've eaten. Personal questions about marriage, children, salary, and age are normal and show interest, not intrusion:
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 你吃了吗？ | Nǐ chī le ma? | Have you eaten? (common greeting) |
| 你做什么工作？ | Nǐ zuò shénme gōngzuò? | What do you do for work? |
| 你结婚了吗？ | Nǐ jiéhūn le ma? | Are you married? |
| 你有孩子吗？ | Nǐ yǒu háizi ma? | Do you have children? |
| 中国怎么样？ | Zhōngguó zěnmeyàng? | How do you like China? |
Note: Personal questions are normal in Chinese culture and show interest.