So you have just arrived in China and perhaps you’ve forgotten your phrasebook. Fear not, here are a few tips on how to get by in China, in terms of the language barrier. Everyone in China is so friendly and welcoming to tourists, but learning a few useful phrases, especially when you ride a taxi, go to a restaurant or ask for directions can enhance this. Nonetheless, your holiday will be one to remember, whether you travel to Beijing, travel to Shanghai, X’ian or beyond, this country is simply spectacular.
Introductions:
As I’m sure many people know, ‘hello’ is ‘ni hao.’ It is worth remembering the phrase, ‘Wo shi,’ because it means ‘I am.’ So when you are introducing yourself to someone simply say ‘Wo shi…’ It is pronounced like ‘wo she.’ If you want to be even more polite to someone and ask them how they are simply say, ‘ni zen me yang?’ If someone asks you this, reply with ‘wo hen hao’, which means ‘I am fine.’ If you wish to politely let the person know that you don’t understand much Chinese, the most applicable phrase would be, ‘buming bai.’
Food:
There are a wide variety of cuisines in China. For example, dumplings and roast duck are very common in the Peking Region. So if you’re in Beijing for instance, it is well worth giving these local delights a try. The word for dumpling is ‘jiaozi’ and roast duck is ‘kaoya.’ Other useful dining phrases are ones that you would need to use at the end of the meal. Maybe the waiter wouldn’t know the word for ‘bill.’ If you wish to pay simply say, ‘wo yao maidan’ pronounced, wo yao mydan.’
Drink:
If you are at a bar and you would like to order a beer the best way of asking is ‘wo yao pijou.’ Pronounce it as you would in Enlgish and your bartender will undersand. The word for ‘bar’ in Mandarin is ‘jiu ba.’
Shopping:
The most common phrase you will need to learn when you are in China, as you would in many countries you visit is, ‘How much?’ the most useful way to ask this is, ‘duo shao qian,’ a little more difficult to pronounce but give it a try and hopefully the person selling you something will understand.
Taxi:
When you are taking a taxi in Beijing, the best thing to do is ask for your hotel concierge to write the address on a piece of paper and hand it to the taxi driver when you get in the car.
Another thing to learn is the word for goodbye which is ‘zaijian.’ A lot of these phrases will come in handy on your China Tours. Good Luck!
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