How To Speak Basic Chinese Phrases

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Planning a visit to China? These phrases may come in handy.

To complete this How-To you will need:

Language skills
A good memory

Step 1: Say hello

Say "Ni hao" when you meet someone — or want to meet them. It means "Hello." Add "ma" at the end — "Ni hao ma?"—and you're asking, "How are you?"

Step 2: Introduce yourself

Introduce yourself by saying, "Ni hao, wo jiao..." which means, "Hello, my name is..." Then ask for their name: "Ni jiao shenme-mingzi?"

Step 3: How are you?

If someone asks, "Chifanle meiyou?" — "Have you eaten?" — just nod yes and say, "Xie xie," which means "thanks."

Tip: This question is the equivalent of asking, "How are you?"

Step 4: Be polite

Remember your manners! Use "ging," "duibuqi," and "bu kuh qi"—"please," "excuse me," and "you're welcome."

Step 5: Buy someone a drink

Ask "Wo ke yi qing ni he yi bei ba"—"May I buy you a drink?"

Tip: "Pi jiu" means "beer" and "hong jiu" means "wine."

Step 6: Get a price

Inquire about a price by saying, "Duoshao qian?"—or "How much?"

Tip: The Chinese currency is called renminbi, and the units are yuan, jiao (also known as mao), and fen.

Step 7: Find a bathroom

Should you need to freshen up, ask, "Ce suo zai nar?"—"Where can I find a restroom?"

Step 8: Express admiration

To express your admiration, say, "Wo xi huan ni"—"I like you." "Ni zhen piao liang" means "You are wonderful."

Step 9: Ask for a kiss

Request a kiss with "Wo xiang wen ni?"

Warning: Context is everything—the word for kiss, "wen," is the same word for smell.

Step 10: Get directions to a hospital

To find a hospital, ask, "Yiyuan zai nar?"

Step 11: Ask your roommates to quiet down

Kindly ask your roommates to quiet down by saying, "bi zui," which means "shut your trap."

Step 12: Find the train or bus

When it's time to depart, find your way to public transportation by asking, "Huoche zhan zai nar " — "Where is the train station?" — or "Qong qong qiche zai nar " — "Where is the bus station?"

Step 13: Say goodbye

Bid a fond farewell with "zai jian." Or you can just say, "Bye, bye."

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• china
• chinese
• how-to
• howcast
• olympics
• phrases
• speak

[lordipin]

1:16 .. LOL

step wot?

[y8art105]

This video proves to the douchebags that chinese is not "ching chong chong ching"

[ILoveGFX456]

@kctosdtraveler yen is japanese currency, chinese currency is yuan

[beatboxpeej]

@spore637 wow my comment was really old hehe. You are right I learned that maybe two weeks after I posted the comment.

[rachaelly1]

I bet a whole bunch of chinese people watched this哈哈哈

[spore637]

@Yurlien Actually she said "restroom"

[spore637]

@iloathelilyallen Thanks!!! Greetings from Hong Kong

[spore637]

@LexieBear1 同意!!

[spore637]

@iq12212 LOL Translation FAIL, the positions of different part of speech is wrong. :)

[spore637]

@aerisismine It means "You're pretty!"

[spore637]

1. Mandarin

2. Spanish

3. English