Basic Chinese Phrases For Beginners In Daily Conversations

If you are a beginner in learning Chinese, mastering basic Chinese phrases is the first step to confidently communicate in daily life. This article will compile the most common phrases in Chinese, from greetings to practical situations like shopping, asking for directions, and more!

Basic Chinese Phrases For Beginners

Mastering basic Chinese phrases will help you feel more confident when interacting with Chinese speakers, whether for work or just for travel purposes. In this article, Ni Hao Ma will introduce you to basic and easy-to-remember Chinese phrases, helping you quickly apply them in real-life situations.

common chinese phrases​

Basic Chinese phrases for greetings

Greetings are the first and most important step in starting a conversation. In Chinese, there are many ways to greet someone, from casual daily greetings to formal ones in a work environment. Below are some basic Chinese phrases for greetings:

ChinesePinyinEnglish
你好Nǐ hǎoHello
早上好Zǎoshang hǎoGood morning
下午好Xiàwǔ hǎoGood afternoon
晚上好Wǎnshàng hǎoGood evening
你好吗?Nǐ hǎo ma?How are you?
最近怎么样?Zuìjìn zěnme yàng?How have you been lately?
好久不见Hǎojiǔ bùjiànLong time no see
很高兴认识你Hěn gāoxìng rènshí nǐNice to meet you
你吃了吗?Nǐ chī le ma?Have you eaten? (common greeting)
欢迎你Huānyíng nǐWelcome
最近忙吗?Zuìjìn máng ma?Are you busy lately?
我很好,谢谢!Wǒ hěn hǎo, xièxiè!I’m good, thank you!
请多多关照Qǐng duōduō guānzhàoPlease take care of me (formal)
再见ZàijiànGoodbye
明天见Míngtiān jiànSee you tomorrow
晚安Wǎn’ānGood night
路上小心!Lùshàng xiǎoxīn!Take care on the road!
simple chinese phrases

Basic Chinese Phrases for Introductions

When learning a new language, knowing how to introduce yourself is the first step to starting a conversation in that language. To introduce some basic information about yourself, you can use the following Chinese phrases:

ChinesePinyinEnglish
我叫…Wǒ jiào…My name is…
我是越南人Wǒ shì Yuènán rénI am Vietnamese
我是学生Wǒ shì xuéshēngI am a student
我的专业是…Wǒ de zhuānyè shì…My major is…
我毕业于…大学。Wǒ bìyè yú… dàxué.I graduated from… university.
我正在学习中文。Wǒ zhèngzài xuéxí zhōngwén.I am studying Chinese.
我会说一点中文。Wǒ huì shuō yīdiǎn zhōngwén.I can speak a little Chinese.
我做…工作Wǒ zuò… gōngzuòI work as…
我来自…Wǒ láizì…I am from…
我住在…Wǒ zhù zài…I live in…
我喜欢看电影和听音乐。Wǒ xǐhuān kàn diànyǐng hé tīng yīnyuè.I like watching movies and listening to music.
如果你有问题,请问我吧。Rúguǒ nǐ yǒu wèntí, qǐng wèn wǒ ba.If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.
你叫什么名字?Nǐ jiào shénme míngzì?What’s your name?
你来自哪里?Nǐ láizì nǎlǐ?Where are you from?
你几岁了?Nǐ jǐ suì le?How old are you?

Learn more: 200+ Chinese Vocabulary for Jobs And Occupations

Chinese phrases for asking for time

Time is a common topic in daily communication. Knowing how to ask and answer questions about time will help you communicate more effectively. Below are some phrases for asking and answering time-related questions:

ChinesePinyinEnglish
请问现在是几点?Qǐngwèn xiànzài shì jǐ diǎn?Excuse me, what time is it now?
现在是中午十二点。Xiànzài shì zhōngwǔ shí’èr diǎn.It’s 12 PM (noon) now.
现在是早上七点。Xiànzài shì zǎoshang qī diǎn.It’s 7 AM now.
你几点起床?Nǐ jǐ diǎn qǐchuáng?What time do you wake up?
我每天六点起床。Wǒ měitiān liù diǎn qǐchuáng.I wake up at 6 AM every day.
明天你有空吗?Míngtiān nǐ yǒu kòng ma?Are you free tomorrow?
我们下午三点开会。Wǒmen xiàwǔ sān diǎn kāihuì.We have a meeting at 3 PM.
今天星期几?Jīntiān xīngqī jǐ?What day is today?
今天是星期一。Jīntiān shì xīngqī yī.Today is Monday.
我的生日是三月十日。Wǒ de shēngrì shì sān yuè shí rì.My birthday is March 10th.
今天下午两点见。Jīntiān xiàwǔ liǎng diǎn jiàn.See you at 2 PM today.
你有时间吗?Nǐ yǒu shíjiān ma?Do you have time?
你几点下班?Nǐ jǐ diǎn xiàbān?What time do you finish work?
我六点钟下班。Wǒ liù diǎn zhōng xiàbān.I finish work at 6 PM.
今天是几月几号?Jīntiān shì jǐ yuè jǐ hào?What is the date today?
今天是2024年12月10日。Jīntiān shì èr líng èr sì nián shí èr yuè shí hào.Today is December 10, 2024.
这周的周日你有空吗?Zhè zhōu de zhōurì nǐ yǒu kòng ma?Are you free this Sunday?
我会在两小时内完成。Wǒ huì zài liǎng xiǎoshí nèi wánchéng.I will finish in 2 hours.
我们几点出发?Wǒmen jǐ diǎn chūfā?What time do we leave?
我晚上八点睡觉。Wǒ wǎnshàng bā diǎn shuìjiào.I go to bed at 8 PM.

Basic Chinese Phrases for Asking Directions

When communicating in a foreign country, knowing how to ask for and give directions is very important, especially when you are traveling or working in an unfamiliar place. If you are not familiar with the area, asking for directions will help you avoid getting lost. Additionally, knowing how to give directions is a necessary skill when you want to assist others.

chinese phrases to learn

Here are some basic Chinese phrases for asking for and giving directions. These phrases are quite simple and can be used in daily life:

ChinesePinyinEnglish
请问,怎么去…?Qǐngwèn, zěnme qù…?Excuse me, how do I get to…?
你知道……在哪里吗?Nǐ zhīdào … zài nǎlǐ ma?Do you know where … is?
请问,…远吗?Qǐngwèn, … yuǎn ma?Excuse me, is … far?
这条路通向…吗?Zhè tiáo lù tōngxiàng … ma?Does this road lead to …?
你能告诉我怎么走到……吗?Nǐ néng gàosù wǒ zěnme zǒu dào … ma?Can you tell me how to get to …?
往前走,然后左转。Wǎng qián zǒu, ránhòu zuǒ zhuǎn.Go straight, then turn left.
从这里走到…要多长时间?Cóng zhèlǐ zǒu dào … yào duō cháng shíjiān?How long does it take to get from here to …?
右转还是左转?Yòu zhuǎn hái shì zuǒ zhuǎn?Turn right or left?
我可以走路到…吗?Wǒ kěyǐ zǒulù dào … ma?Can I walk to …?
在前面右边Zài qiánmiàn yòubiānOn the right ahead
我迷路了,能帮我吗?Wǒ mílùle, néng bāng wǒ ma?I’m lost, can you help me?
请问,最近的地铁站在哪里?Qǐngwèn, zuìjìn de dìtiě zhàn zài nǎlǐ?Excuse me, where is the nearest subway station?
请问最近的超市在哪儿?Qǐngwèn zuì jìn de chāoshì zài nǎr?Excuse me, where is the nearest supermarket?
请问,这条路通向市中心吗?Qǐngwèn, zhè tiáo lù tōngxiàng shì zhōngxīn ma?Excuse me, does this road lead to the city center?

Basic Chinese Phrases for Shopping

Shopping is a common activity when visiting China, whether for travel, living, or work. Knowing how to communicate effectively while shopping will help you negotiate prices and find products that suit your needs.

ChinesePinyinEnglish
这个多少钱?Zhège duōshao qián?How much is this?
能便宜点吗?Néng piányí diǎn ma?Can you make it cheaper?
有没有其他颜色?Yǒu méiyǒu qítā yánsè?Do you have other colors?
我要买这个。Wǒ yào mǎi zhège.I want to buy this.
多少钱一件?Duōshao qián yí jiàn?How much is one?
这个多少钱一斤?Zhège duōshǎo qián yī jīn?How much is this per jin (500g)?
我能看看吗?Wǒ néng kànkan ma?Can I take a look?
我想买两件。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi liǎng jiàn.I’d like to buy two.
我能试试这个吗?Wǒ néng shì shì zhège ma?Can I try this on?
这个有其他尺寸吗?Zhège yǒu qítā chǐcùn ma?Does this come in other sizes?
请给我包装好。Qǐng gěi wǒ bāozhuāng hǎo.Please pack it for me.
我想要红色的。Wǒ xiǎng yào hóngsè de.I want the red one.
这个有什么颜色?Zhège yǒu shénme yánsè?What colors does this come in?
这里可以刷卡吗?Zhèlǐ kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?Can I pay with a card here?
我要买一件衬衫。Wǒ yào mǎi yī jiàn chènshān.I want to buy a shirt.
请给我一个小袋子。Qǐng gěi wǒ yīgè xiǎo dàizi.Please give me a small bag.
我可以换个尺寸吗?Wǒ kěyǐ huàn gè chǐcùn ma?Can I exchange for a different size?
chinese phrases

Basic Chinese communication phrases when dining out

When dining at a restaurant or eatery in China or in Chinese-speaking areas, knowing basic communication will help you order, ask for information, and fully enjoy your meal.

From making a reservation, ordering food, to paying the bill, using the right basic Chinese phrases will not only help you handle situations easily but also create a friendlier and more intimate atmosphere.

ChinesePinyinEnglish
请问有空位吗?Qǐngwèn yǒu kòngwèi ma?Excuse me, do you have a free table?
我想订一张桌子Wǒ xiǎng dìng yī zhāng zhuōziI’d like to reserve a table.
请给我一张菜单Qǐng gěi wǒ yī zhāng càidānPlease give me a menu.
这里有什么特色菜?Zhèlǐ yǒu shénme tèsè cài?What are the specialties here?
这道菜是什么?Zhè dào cài shì shénme?What is this dish?
这个菜有辣吗?Zhège cài yǒu là ma?Is this dish spicy?
我想要…Wǒ xiǎng yào…I’d like to have…
请加一点辣Qǐng jiā yīdiǎn làPlease add a little spice.
有适合素食者的菜吗?Yǒu shìhé sùshí zhě de cài ma?Do you have dishes suitable for vegetarians?
我要一杯水Wǒ yào yī bēi shuǐI’d like a glass of water.
请给我一双筷子Qǐng gěi wǒ yī shuāng kuàiziPlease give me a pair of chopsticks.
我可以加点酱油吗?Wǒ kěyǐ jiā diǎn jiàngyóu ma?Can I add some soy sauce?
请再给我一碗米饭Qǐng zài gěi wǒ yī wǎn mǐfànPlease give me another bowl of rice.
请问这个需要等多久?Qǐngwèn zhège xūyào děng duōjiǔ?Excuse me, how long do I have to wait for this dish?
我要这个和这个Wǒ yào zhège hé zhègeI’d like this and that.
这道菜很好吃Zhè dào cài hěn hǎo chīThis dish is very delicious.
我想要一些甜点Wǒ xiǎng yào yīxiē tiándiǎnI’d like some dessert.
我需要一张餐巾纸Wǒ xūyào yī zhāng cānjīnzhǐI need a napkin.
请再给我一副筷子Qǐng zài gěi wǒ yī fù kuàiziPlease give me another pair of chopsticks.
我要打包Wǒ yào dǎbāoI’d like to take it to go.
请不要放味精Qǐng bùyào fàng wèijīngPlease don’t add MSG.
我们需要一个大桌子Wǒmen xūyào yīgè dà zhuōziWe need a large table.
一共多少钱?Yīgòng duōshao qián?How much is it in total?
请问厕所在哪里?Qǐngwèn cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?Excuse me, where is the restroom?
我可以刷卡吗?Wǒ kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?Can I pay with a card?
chinese phrases in english

Short and Useful Chinese Phrases

In addition to the phrases above, here are more basic Chinese phrases to help you communicate more flexibly and easily:

ChinesePinyinEnglish
你好Nǐ hǎoHello
谢谢XièxièThank you
对不起DuìbuqǐSorry
不好意思Bù hǎo yìsiExcuse me (for the inconvenience)
没关系Méi guānxiNo problem
再见ZàijiànGoodbye
请问QǐngwènExcuse me
请进Qǐng jìnPlease come in
是的Shì deYes
不是Bù shìNo
多少?Duōshao?How much?
好的Hǎo deOkay
不可以Bù kěyǐNot allowed
可以KěyǐAllowed / Can
我不懂Wǒ bù dǒngI don’t understand
你会说英语吗?Nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ ma?Do you speak English?
可以吗?Kěyǐ ma?Is it okay?
我明白了Wǒ míngbái leI understand now
我饿了Wǒ è leI’m hungry
我累了Wǒ lèi leI’m tired
哪里?Nǎlǐ?Where?
请帮我一下Qǐng bāng wǒ yīxiàPlease help me a moment
这是什么?Zhè shì shénme?What is this?
我喜欢这个Wǒ xǐhuān zhègeI like this
我喜欢你Wǒ xǐhuān nǐI like you
请慢一点Qǐng màn yīdiǎnPlease slow down
快一点Kuài yīdiǎnHurry up
我想休息一下Wǒ xiǎng xiūxí yīxiàI want to take a rest

Conclusion

For those who plan to study, work, or live in a Chinese-speaking environment, mastering these basic Chinese phrases is essential. We hope this article helps improve your communication skills. If you are looking for online Chinese courses or speaking courses, feel free to contact Ni Hao Ma for guidance!

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