One of the most interesting and also one of the most studied languages around the world is Chinese. Usually, people start learning it because they are lovers of Chinese culture or because they need to go to China for travel or work. Whatever the reason for your interest in the language, today you will learn some basic expressions in Chinese.
While it is best to start by learning the alphabet or the type of words, in travel situations you need to learn some of the basic expressions directly. These are the ones that will help you communicate once you are in the country.
For that reason, we will help you to get to know the most commonly used basic Chinese expressions. We will also give you a look at the correct way to write them and the phonetic indications for their correct pronunciation.
We will also subdivide these expressions according to their type. This way you can learn directly how task questions or how to greet in Chinese.
Manners are something you must maintain wherever you gin the world. Hence the importance of learning how to use them in the specific language of each country. Therefore, common expressions of manners in Chinese are as follows:
· Thank you
o Phonetics: xiè xie
o Writing: 谢谢！
· You are welcome
o Phonetic: bú yòng xiè
o or Spelling: 不用谢
· I am sorry
o Phonetic: duì bu qǐ
o Writing: 对不起
· Apology
o Phonetic: qǐng wèn
o Writing: 请问
· Sorry, let me pass
o Phonetic: jiè guò yī xià
o Writing: 借过一下
· Sorry, I don't understand you
o Phonetics: bù hǎyì si, wǒ méi tīng dǒng
o Written: 不好意思，我没听懂
· Can you repeat, please?
o Phonetics: qǐng zài shuō yī biàn
o Handwriting: 请再说一遍
Greetings and farewells are also very important when you go to another country. For that reason, below, we will give you a list of the most common greetings and farewells in Chinese:
· Good morning
o Phonetics: zǎshàng hǎo
o Writing: 早上好
· Good afternoon
o Phonetics: xià wǔ hǎo
o Writing: 下午好
· Good evening
o Phonetics: wǎn ān
o Writing: 晚安
· Hello
o Phonetics: nǐ hǎo
o Writing: 你好
· Goodbye
o Phonetic: zài jiàn
o Writing: 再见
· Welcome
o Phonetic: huān yíng guāng lín
o Writing: 欢迎光临
In some everyday situations, you may also need task questions to local residents. That's why it's important to know the frequently asked questions in Chinese. So that you can get answers tyour questions during your stay in China.
· How are you doing?
o Phonetics: nǐ hǎma
o Writing: 你好吗
· Where is the toilet?
o Phonetic: xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ?
o Writing: 洗手间在哪里
· How much does it cost?
o Phonetics: zhè ge duō shaqián?
o Writing: 这个多少钱
· Do you speak English?
o Phonetics: nǐ huì shuō yīng yǔ ma?
o Writing: 你会说英语吗
· How do you say this in Chinese?
o Phonetics: zhè ge yòng hàn yǔ zěn me shuō?
o Writing: 这个用汉语怎么说
Finally, there are a few extra basic Chinese expressions you should also know. As well as some answers to questions you are asked in various situations. So make sure you memorise the following expressions very well.
· I'm fine, thank you, How about you?
o Phonetics: wǒ hěn hǎo, xiè xiè, nǐ ne?
o or Writing: 我很好，谢谢，你呢
· Well.
o Phonetics: hǎo
o Writing: 不好
· Bad
o Phonetics: bù hǎo
o Writing: 不好
· Wait a moment
o Phonetic: děng yī xià
o Writing: 等一下
· Help.
o Phonetic: jiù mìng
o Writing: 救命
· I don't understand you
o Phonetics: bú tài míng bai
o Writing: 不太明白
· I want to
o Phonetic: wǒ yào
o Writing: 我要
· The bill
o Phonetic: mǎi dān
o Writing: 买单
As you practise the language you can gradually improve your command of the language. However, if you need to learn more quickly for travel reasons, you may need the help of a tutor to help you learn the language. Luckily, at WeSmartly we have the professionals you need to help you learn the language.
With their help, you will not only learn the basic expressions in Chinese, but you will learn the whole language in depth. Respecting its grammatical rules, knowing all the alphabet they use and son.
For this reason, if you are interested in the help of a private tutor, you can easily find one in our tutor’s section. It's just a matter of choosing the one you prefer and start studying with him or her this new language for you.
