The most useful everyday Chinese phrases for beginners — greetings, questions, shopping, and more. Start speaking from day one with these essential expressions.
Learning Chinese can feel overwhelming, but mastering a few key phrases can make everyday conversations much easier. Here are the essential phrases every Chinese learner should know, organized by situation.
你好 (nǐ hǎo) - Hello
The most basic greeting. Use it anytime, anywhere.
早上好 (zǎoshang hǎo) - Good morning
A polite morning greeting.
晚上好 (wǎnshang hǎo) - Good evening
Use this in the evening.
你好吗？ (nǐ hǎo ma?) - How are you?
A common question, though less used than in English.
我很好，谢谢 (wǒ hěn hǎo, xièxie) - I'm fine, thank you
The standard response.
你叫什么名字？ (nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?) - What's your name?
For introductions.
我叫... (wǒ jiào...) - My name is...
How to introduce yourself.
很高兴认识你 (hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ) - Nice to meet you
A polite phrase for first meetings.
再见 (zàijiàn) - Goodbye
The standard farewell.
拜拜 (bàibai) - Bye-bye
A casual, informal goodbye.
Want to hear these phrases in natural conversations? Read stories with native audio to hear how these greetings sound in context.
谢谢 (xièxie) - Thank you
Use it often!
不客气 (bú kèqi) - You're welcome
The polite response to thanks.
对不起 (duìbuqǐ) - Sorry/Excuse me
For apologies or getting attention.
没关系 (méi guānxi) - It's okay/No problem
Accepting an apology.
请 (qǐng) - Please
Often used before requests.
麻烦你 (máfan nǐ) - Sorry to bother you
A polite way to ask for help.
不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) - Excuse me/Sorry
Lighter than 对不起, used for minor inconveniences.
请问... (qǐngwèn...) - May I ask...
Polite way to start a question.
这个多少钱？ (zhège duōshao qián?) - How much is this?
Essential for shopping.
我要... (wǒ yào...) - I want...
Direct way to order or request something.
我想要... (wǒ xiǎng yào...) - I would like...
Slightly more polite than 我要.
可以... 吗？ (kěyǐ... ma?) - Can I...?
For asking permission.
能不能... ? (néng bu néng...?) - Can you...?
Asking if something is possible.
帮我... (bāng wǒ...) - Help me...
Direct request for help.
给我... (gěi wǒ...) - Give me...
Used when ordering food or drinks.
我不明白 (wǒ bù míngbai) - I don't understand
Very useful phrase!
你能再说一次吗？ (nǐ néng zài shuō yí cì ma?) - Can you say that again?
When you didn't catch something.
请说慢一点 (qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn) - Please speak slower
For language learners.
你会说英语吗？ (nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ ma?) - Do you speak English?
When you're struggling.
我不会说中文 (wǒ bú huì shuō zhōngwén) - I don't speak Chinese
Being honest about your level.
这个用中文怎么说？ (zhège yòng zhōngwén zěnme shuō?) - How do you say this in Chinese?
For learning new words.
是什么意思？ (shì shénme yìsi?) - What does it mean?
When you hear something new.
Learn these phrases in context by reading beginner-level stories where you can tap any word for instant definitions.
... 在哪里？ (...zài nǎli?) - Where is...?
Essential for finding places.
厕所在哪里？ (cèsuǒ zài nǎli?) - Where's the bathroom?
Very important!
这是哪里？ (zhè shì nǎli?) - Where is this?
When you're lost.
怎么去...？ (zěnme qù...?) - How do I get to...?
Asking for directions.
左 (zuǒ) - Left
右 (yòu) - Right
直走 (zhí zǒu) - Go straight
远吗？ (yuǎn ma?) - Is it far?
Before heading somewhere.
太贵了 (tài guì le) - Too expensive
For bargaining.
便宜一点 (piányi yìdiǎn) - Cheaper, please
Asking for a discount.
可以刷卡吗？ (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?) - Can I pay by card?
Payment options.
现金 (xiànjīn) - Cash
微信/支付宝 (wēixìn/zhīfùbǎo) - WeChat/Alipay
我要买... (wǒ yào mǎi...) - I want to buy...
Shopping phrase.
有没有...？ (yǒu méiyǒu...?) - Do you have...?
Asking if something is available.
我想吃... (wǒ xiǎng chī...) - I want to eat...
Expressing food preferences.
好吃 (hǎochī) - Delicious
Compliment the food!
不辣 (bú là) - Not spicy
Important if you can't handle spice.
一点辣 (yìdiǎn là) - A little spicy
很辣 (hěn là) - Very spicy
买单 (mǎidān) - Check, please
When you're ready to pay.
打包 (dǎbāo) - To go/takeaway
For takeout.
我吃饱了 (wǒ chī bǎo le) - I'm full
After a good meal.
我是素食者 (wǒ shì sùshízhě) - I'm vegetarian
Dietary restrictions.
救命！ (jiùmìng!) - Help!
For emergencies.
我需要帮助 (wǒ xūyào bāngzhù) - I need help
When something's wrong.
叫警察 (jiào jǐngchá) - Call the police
For serious situations.
我迷路了 (wǒ mílù le) - I'm lost
When you can't find your way.
我生病了 (wǒ shēngbìng le) - I'm sick
For medical situations.
医院在哪里？ (yīyuàn zài nǎli?) - Where's the hospital?
Medical emergency.
是 (shì) - Yes
不是 (bú shì) - No (it's not)
对 (duì) - Right/Correct
不对 (bú duì) - Wrong/Incorrect
好 (hǎo) - Good/Okay
不好 (bù hǎo) - Not good
可以 (kěyǐ) - Can/Okay
不可以 (bù kěyǐ) - Cannot/Not okay
有 (yǒu) - Have/There is
没有 (méiyǒu) - Don't have/There isn't
知道 (zhīdào) - Know
不知道 (bù zhīdào) - Don't know
就是... (jiùshì...) - It's just that.../Like...
Common filler word.
那个... (nàge...) - Uh.../Um...
Used when thinking.
对啊 (duì a) - Yeah, right
Agreement.
真的吗？ (zhēn de ma?) - Really?
Showing surprise or interest.
没事 (méi shì) - It's nothing/No problem
Casual response.
随便 (suíbiàn) - Whatever/It's up to you
Being flexible.
Practice in context
Don't just memorize these phrases in isolation. Use them in real conversations, even if it's just with yourself.
The best way to learn phrases is to see them in graded stories at your HSK level — you'll learn when and how to use them naturally.
Listen for these phrases
When watching Chinese content, listen for these common expressions. You'll start hearing them everywhere.
Combine phrases
Mix and match to create longer sentences. For example:
"请问，厕所在哪里？" (Excuse me, where's the bathroom?)
Tone matters
Remember that tones change meaning. Practice saying these phrases with correct tones from the start.
Start with what you need
You don't need to memorize all of these at once. Start with phrases you'll use most often based on your situation.
Track your learning progress to see how many of these phrases you've mastered over time.
With these essential phrases in your toolkit, you'll be able to navigate most daily situations in Chinese. The key is to practice them regularly and use them confidently — even if your tones aren't perfect yet!
Start reading stories with these common phrases and learn how to use them in real conversations.