Chinese phrases and expressions you can learn today

Start learning the most common Chinese phrases

Chinese is a fascinating and melodic language that is thought to be the happiest language in the world. So, why not learn a few basic Chinese phrases and expressions to enhance your general knowledge and become happier in the process?

  • 晚上好。(Wǎnshàng hǎo.): Good evening!
  • 晚安。(Wǎn'ān): Good night!
  • 你的名字是什么? (Nǐ de míngzì shì shénme?): What's your name?
  • 歡迎! (Huānyíng!): Welcome!
  • 我怎么过去? (Wǒ zěnme guòqù?): How do I get there, please?
  • 请快点! (Qǐng kuài diǎn!): Hurry up?
  • 下次见。(Xià cì jiàn.): See you next time!
  • 一会儿见! (Yīhuǐ'er jiàn!): See you soon!
  • 我们一起去玩吧。(Wǒmen yīqǐ qù wán ba.): Let's have some fun.
  • 再见! (Zài jiàn!): Bye!
  • 不用客气。(Bùyòng kèqì.): You're welcome
  • 谢谢你。(Xièxiè nǐ.): Thank you.
  • 打扰一下。(Dǎrǎo yīxià.): Excuse me.
  • 你多大了? (Nǐ duōdàle?): How old are you?
  • 我...岁了。(Wǒ ... suìle): I’m… years old
  • 别担心。(Bié dānxīn): Don't worry.
  • 对不起。(Duìbùqǐ.) : I'm sorry.

With a focus on practical communication skills, you'll be able to confidently navigate everyday situations and conversations in Chinese.

People learning Chinese

Common Chinese phrases and expressions

There are plenty of useful Chinese phrases and expressions for commuting, shopping, traveling, ordering, and more. However, learning the most common ones as a beginner helps you in your first conversations.

Top 10 Chinese phrases and sentences you need to know

We have prepared a list of common Chinese expressions that will help you have a basic conversation in Chinese in no time. Let's dig in!

  1. 1. 早上好。 = Good morning.

    If you find yourself in Hong Kong it is always polite to say “Hi” every morning because Chinese speakers are really sociable. “Good morning” in Chinese is "早上好".
    Now enjoy being greeted by a native speaker:

    早上好。

  2. 2. 下午好。 = Good afternoon.

    But what if it's later in the day and you want to greet someone from China? Well, “Good afternoon” in Chinese is "下午好".
    Now listen to how a Chinese speaker would pronounce it:

    下午好。

  3. 3. 我叫Mondly。 = My name is Mondly.

    Let's say your name is Mondly, you are traveling to Beijing and meet someone on the street. To introduce yourself you can say "我叫蒙德利" which means "My name is Mondly" in Chinese.
    Listen to how a person from Beijing would pronounce this phrase:

    我叫Mondly。

  4. 4. 很高兴认识你。 = I'm pleased to meet you.

    Now that you have introduced yourself, a Chinese speaker would respond "我很高兴见到你" which means "I'm pleased to meet you" in Chinese.
    Listen to a native Chinese speaker saying that exact sentence to you right now:

    很高兴认识你。

  5. 5. 你好吗? = How are you?

    At this point, it might be polite to ask the person you are having a conversation with "How are you?" in Chinese.
    It’s really easy to pronounce. Here's how to say it:

    你好吗?

  6. 6. 很好,谢谢。你呢? = Fine, thanks. And you?

    If, on the other hand, a Chinese speaker asks you first how are you doing, this is how you can answer politely. Apply the unspoken rule of politeness everywhere you go and many doors shall joyously open in your path.
    Here's a native speaker showing you how to say it:

    很好,谢谢。你呢?

  7. 7. 我要一杯啤酒。 = I’d like a beer.

    And because you might find yourself in a bar when visiting China you might have to learn how to order a beer in Chinese.
    Let a native Chinese speaker show you how it's done:

    我要一杯啤酒。

  8. 8. 对不起。 = I'm sorry.

    There are times when what you ordered is out of stock, so a bartender might say "对不起" which means "I'm sorry" in Chinese.
    Listen to how it's pronounced:

    对不起。

  9. 9. 一会儿见! = See you soon!

    This is a good way of saying "See you soon" in Chinese to a co-worker from Shanghai that you are probably going to see the next day.
    Delight your senses with a Chinese speaker saying the phrase:

    一会儿见!

  10. 10. 再见。 = Goodbye.

    Let's end with the best way to end a pleasant conversation politely. This is another way of saying "Goodbye" in Chinese.
    Here's how a person from China would pronounce it:

    再见。

Common Chinese phrases

Chinese landmark

Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve your existing language skills, our program will help you build a strong foundation in Chinese language and culture. Start learning today and open up new opportunities for communication and connection with Chinese speakers around the world.

Chinese phrases for hotel reservation

  • 请你帮我预订一个房间。(Qǐng nǐ bāng wǒ yùdìng yīgè fángjiān.): I'd like to reserve a room, please.
  • 我需要一个双人间。(Wǒ xūyào yīgè shuāng rénjiān.): I need a double room.
  • 我能把我的行李存放在这里吗?(Wǒ néng bǎ wǒ de xínglǐ cúnfàng zài zhèlǐ ma?): May I leave my luggage, here?
  • 请问何时是退房时间?(Qǐngwèn hé shí shì tuìfáng shíjiān?): When is check-out time, please?
  • 我现在要退房。(Wǒ xiànzài yào tuì fáng.): I would like to check out now.
  • 我能看下房间吗?(Wǒ néng kàn xià fángjiān ma?): Can I see the room?
  • 我们的房间号码是129。(Wǒmen de fángjiān hàomǎ shì ...): Our room number is ...

    Chinese phrases for eating out

  • 我有预约了。我的名字是 ...。(Wǒ yǒu yùyuēle. Wǒ de míngzì shì ...): I have a reservation. My name is ...
  • 我对...过敏。(Wǒ duì ... guòmǐn): I'm allergic to ...
  • 我患有糖尿病。(Wǒ huàn yǒu tángniàobìng.): I am diabetic.
  • 我想坐在室内。(Wǒ xiǎng zuò zài shìnèi.): I would like to seat inside.
  • 太好吃了!(Tài hào chīle!): It is delicious.

  • Chinese phrases for information and direction

  • 我们在哪里? (Wǒmen zài nǎlǐ?): Where are we?
  • 你能帮我吗? (Nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma?): Can you help me?
  • 请重复。(Qǐng chóngfù.): Please repeat.
  • 你知道有什么好餐馆吗? (Nǐ zhīdào yǒu shé me hǎo cānguǎn ma?): Do you know any good restaurants?
  • 咖啡厅在哪里?(Kāfēi tīng zài nǎlǐ?): Where is a café?

Chinese landmark

The benefits of learning the most common Chinese phrases first

Get smarter day by day

Learning a new language is a perfect way to boost your IQ. In no time, your brain will make new connections and associations and you’ll feel that learning Chinese was one of the best choices you ever made.

Have real conversations in Chinese today

Once you start learning a few basic sentences in Chinese you will have the knowledge to start your first Chinese conversation. That’s why, at Mondly, we’ve created experiences that simulate real-life conversations to get you speaking Chinese in no time.

Become fluent in Chinese quicker

Starting with the basics, we quickly lay a foundation for you to learn more complex Chinese phrases and sentences. We gradually build your Chinese knowledge so you get fluent faster than you could imagine.

Feel how easy to learn the Chinese language can be

Every language experience should start gradually, from the easiest to the more complex concepts. Starting with the easiest and most common Chinese phrases, you will feel confident in your ability to learn a new language. That’s one of the core principles Mondly is built on.

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