Travel Chinese: 30 Phrases You Need

Traveling in China can be an exciting adventure, but language can sometimes feel like a barrier. Learning key Travel Chinese phrases will help you navigate airports, hotels, restaurants, and streets with confidence. In this blog post, we’ll cover essential phrases for transportation, directions, accommodation, shopping, and emergencies.

Each phrase includes Chinese characters, pinyin, and English translation so you can practice speaking naturally.

At the Airport (机场, jī chǎng)

1. Where is the check-in counter? (登记柜台在哪里?, dēng jì guì tái zài nǎ lǐ?)
   Example: 请问，登机柜台在哪里? (qǐng wèn, dēng jī guì tái zài nǎ lǐ?) – Excuse me, where is the check-in counter?
2. I have a reservation. (我有预订, wǒ yǒu yù dìng)
   Example: 我有预订，请帮我办理登机 (wǒ yǒu yù dìng, qǐng bāng wǒ bàn lǐ dēng jī) – I have a reservation, please help me check in.
3. Where is the gate? (登机口在哪里?, dēng jī kǒu zài nǎ lǐ?)
   Example: 请问，登机口在哪里? (qǐng wèn, dēng jī kǒu zài nǎ lǐ?) – Excuse me, where is the boarding gate?
4. How much is the luggage fee? (行李费多少钱?, xíng lǐ fèi duō shǎo qián?)
   Example: 请问，行李费多少钱? (qǐng wèn, xíng lǐ fèi duō shǎo qián?) – How much is the luggage fee?
5. Where is the taxi stand? (出租车站在哪里?, chū zū chē zhàn zài nǎ lǐ?)
   Example: 出租车站在哪里? (chū zū chē zhàn zài nǎ lǐ?) – Where is the taxi stand?

Asking for Directions (问路, wèn lù)

1. Excuse me, how do I get to…? (请问，…怎么走?, qǐng wèn, … zěn me zǒu?)
   Example: 请问，火车站怎么走? (qǐng wèn, huǒ chē zhàn zěn me zǒu?) – Excuse me, how do I get to the train station?
2. Is it far? (远吗?, yuǎn ma?)
   Example: 从这里到博物馆远吗? (cóng zhè lǐ dào bó wù guǎn yuǎn ma?) – Is it far from here to the museum?
3. Turn left / right (左转 / 右转, zuǒ zhuǎn / yòu zhuǎn)
   Example: 走到路口右转 (zǒu dào lù kǒu yòu zhuǎn) – Turn right at the intersection.
4. Straight ahead (一直走, yì zhí zǒu)
   Example: 一直走到红绿灯 (yì zhí zǒu dào hóng lǜ dēng) – Go straight ahead to the traffic lights.
5. Near / far (附近 / 远, fù jìn / yuǎn)
   Example: 银行在附近吗? (yín háng zài fù jìn ma?) – Is the bank nearby?

At the Hotel (酒店, jiǔ diàn)

1. I have a reservation. (我有预订, wǒ yǒu yù dìng)
   Example: 我有预订一个房间 (wǒ yǒu yù dìng yí gè fáng jiān) – I have a reservation for a room.
2. I would like a single / double room. (我想要单人/双人房, wǒ xiǎng yào dān rén / shuāng rén fáng)
   Example: 我想要一个双人房 (wǒ xiǎng yào yí gè shuāng rén fáng) – I would like a double room.
3. How much is a night? (一晚多少钱?, yì wǎn duō shǎo qián?)
   Example: 请问，一晚多少钱? (qǐng wèn, yì wǎn duō shǎo qián?) – How much for one night?
4. Can I see the room first? (我可以先看看房间吗?, wǒ kě yǐ xiān kàn kàn fáng jiān ma?)
   Example: 我可以先看看房间吗? (wǒ kě yǐ xiān kàn kàn fáng jiān ma?) – Can I see the room first?
5. I need a taxi. (我需要出租车, wǒ xū yào chū zū chē)
   Example: 我需要一辆出租车去机场 (wǒ xū yào yí liàng chū zū chē qù jī chǎng) – I need a taxi to the airport.

Eating Out and Shopping (吃饭和购物, chī fàn hé gòu wù)

1. Can I see the menu? (可以看菜单吗?, kě yǐ kàn cài dān ma?)
   Example: 请给我菜单 (qǐng gěi wǒ cài dān) – Can I have the menu, please?
2. I would like to order… (我想点…, wǒ xiǎng diǎn …)
   Example: 我想点宫保鸡丁 (wǒ xiǎng diǎn gōng bǎo jī dīng) – I would like to order Kung Pao chicken.
3. How much is this? (这个多少钱?, zhè ge duō shǎo qián?)
   Example: 这个多少钱? (zhè ge duō shǎo qián?) – How much is this?
4. Can you lower the price? (可以便宜一点吗?, kě yǐ pián yí yì diǎn ma?)
   Example: 可以便宜一点吗? (kě yǐ pián yí yì diǎn ma?) – Can you make it a little cheaper?
5. I want to buy this. (我要买这个, wǒ yào mǎi zhè ge)
   Example: 我要买这个手表 (wǒ yào mǎi zhè ge shǒu biǎo) – I want to buy this watch.

Emergencies and Assistance (紧急情况, jǐn jí qíng kuàng)

1. Help! (救命!, jiù mìng!)
   Example: 救命，我迷路了 (jiù mìng, wǒ mí lù le) – Help! I’m lost.
2. Call the police (报警, bào jǐng)
   Example: 请帮我报警 (qǐng bāng wǒ bào jǐng) – Please call the police.
3. I’m sick / need a doctor (我生病了 / 需要医生, wǒ shēng bìng le / xū yào yī shēng)
   Example: 我生病了，需要医生 (wǒ shēng bìng le, xū yào yī shēng) – I am sick and need a doctor.
4. Where is the hospital? (医院在哪里?, yī yuàn zài nǎ lǐ?)
   Example: 医院在哪里? (yī yuàn zài nǎ lǐ?) – Where is the hospital?
5. I lost my passport (我丢了护照, wǒ diū le hù zhào)
   Example: 我丢了护照，请帮我 (wǒ diū le hù zhào, qǐng bāng wǒ) – I lost my passport, please help me.

Travel Tips

When traveling in China, it is helpful to carry a small notebook with important phrases written in Chinese characters and pinyin. Use polite words like 请 (qǐng) and 谢谢 (xiè xiè) often. Learning numbers in Chinese will help you read prices, bus numbers, and room numbers. Listening carefully and repeating phrases out loud will improve your pronunciation and confidence.

10-15 New Words from This Blog-Post

1. 机场 (jī chǎng) – airport
2. 登机口 (dēng jī kǒu) – boarding gate
3. 行李费 (xíng lǐ fèi) – luggage fee
4. 出租车 (chū zū chē) – taxi
5. 酒店 (jiǔ diàn) – hotel
6. 房间 (fáng jiān) – room
7. 菜单 (cài dān) – menu
8. 购物 (gòu wù) – shopping
9. 医院 (yī yuàn) – hospital
10. 护照 (hù zhào) – passport
11. 紧急情况 (jǐn jí qíng kuàng) – emergency
12. 报警 (bào jǐng) – call the police
13. 左转 (zuǒ zhuǎn) – turn left
14. 右转 (yòu zhuǎn) – turn right
15. 一直走 (yì zhí zǒu) – straight ahead

This guide equips you with essential phrases to travel confidently in China, handle emergencies, and communicate effectively in hotels, restaurants, and on the streets. You’ll feel prepared to explore cities and interact with locals like a seasoned traveler.