Traveling in China will be much simpler if you know some basic Chinese phrases. Here are 30 useful Mandarin travel phrases that will assist in making your trip smoother!
Remember, Chinese is a tonal language and pronunciation is key! Downloading a free Chinese phrasebook or working with a Speechling tutor for additional practice and feedback before setting off on your trip may help tremendously!
1. Ask for directions
One of the most practical skills you’ll need when traveling in China-speaking countries is being able to ask for directions. Unfortunately, however, understanding them may prove challenging – this video lesson from Jillian Steward can provide essential vocabulary and grammar training to keep you from getting lost along your travels!
Jillian will show you the fundamental words and phrases required for asking directions in Mandarin. These include front, back, right and left directions as well as how to say where something is located relative to other places (for example a store being right of a university). Furthermore, she’ll teach how to discuss directions between cardinal points such as east/west or north/south directions.
The word “mandarin” originates in Portuguese mandorim or Malay menteri, both derived from Sanskrit mantrin meaning counselor. A mandarin traditionally held high standing within an imperial court system; advancement to higher ranks required passing difficult imperial Chinese examinations. Today it more commonly refers to someone who speaks Chinese.
2. Ask for a taxi
When readying yourself to board a taxi, the first thing is telling the driver where you wish to go. An easy way is saying: “Wo yao qu +place”. This translates as: “Driver, I want to go there.” Adding (shi fu) makes your greeting polite and more formal while showing respect towards them.
No matter what level your Chinese is, learning it should always be part of the job as a driver. They understand that not everyone speaks perfect English but the more you study will help to give directions more efficiently.
Mandarin is actually an umbrella term referring to multiple Chinese languages that are spoken across China. Most of the world refers to standard Mandarin spoken in mainland China and Taiwan; other cities use dialects of this language such as Beijing or Shanghai. The term derives its name from Portuguese “mandarim,” which itself originates in Sanskrit Mantrin.
3. Ask for a restaurant
One of the easiest and best ways to practice mandarin is at local restaurants that don’t specifically cater to Chinese customers. Watch this video to learn how to summon a waiter and request the menu; once learned, repeat these phrases when dining out with other speakers of Mandarin.
The term “Mandarin” originates in Portuguese from Sanskrit mantrin (meaning counselor ), used to refer to any of several Mandarin dialects spoken by Chinese speakers; including Standard Mandarin which serves as the official language of mainland China.
Some useful phrases to know when ordering food include the words chazi (fork), dao (knife) and guomin (allergy). To request these items, say, “Wo dui hua sheng chazi ma?”/”Do you have a fork?”.
4. Ask for a place to stay
Mandarin is the name given to a group of Chinese languages used on mainland China and developed around Beijing. The name derives from Portuguese mandarim which in turn derives from Malay menteri and Sanskrit mantrin meaning counselor. Mandarin became associated with pedantic Chinese officials who passed imperial Chinese examination systems; its English spelling entered English usage sometime around 16th century. Taiwanese Guoyu as well as Singapore and Malaysian Hua Yu are all part of this grouping, though.