Survival Chinese: 50 Phrases That Will Save Your Trip

2025-10-16 · China Travel · Reading time: 3 min

50 survival Chinese phrases every traveler needs: pronunciation guide, tones explained, and when to use each phrase.

🎯 Pronunciation Guide

• 1st tone (ā): High and flat — like singing a note
• 2nd tone (á): Rising — like asking "What?"
• 3rd tone (ǎ): Dip down then up — like saying "Hmm?"
• 4th tone (à): Sharp falling — like saying "No!"
• Don't stress about tones — Chinese people are very forgiving with foreigners. Context fills in the gaps.

📱 Translation App Tips

🖨️ Printable Quick Card

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║ 🗣️ CHINESE SURVIVAL PHRASES — CUT & KEEP ║

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║ 你好 Nǐ hǎo = Hello 谢谢 Xièxie = Thanks ║

║ 多少钱 Duōshǎo qián = How much? 厕所 Cèsuǒ = Toilet ║

║ 听不懂 Tīng bù dǒng = Don't understand ║

║ 不要辣 Búyào là = No spicy 买单 Mǎidān = Bill ║

║ 去___ Qù___ = Go to 地铁 Dìtiě = Metro ║

║ 太贵了 Tài guì le = Too expensive ║

║ 帮帮我 Bāng bāng wǒ = Help me ║

║ 叫救护车 Jiào jiùhùchē = Call ambulance ║

║ 我迷路了 Wǒ mílù le = I'm lost ║

║ 这个 Zhège = This one (point + say) ║

║ ║

║ 🔋 Download Baidu Translate for camera translation ║

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• 08-Culture-and-Etiquette.md → — Cultural dos and don'ts
• 25-Emergency-Printable-Card.md → — Emergency card with key phrases
• 04-Internet-and-Phone.md → — Translation app setup

Key Takeaways

• Plan ahead and book major attractions in advance
• Use mobile payment (WeChat Pay/Alipay) everywhere
• Download offline maps and translation apps
• Get the China Travel Survival Kit for complete step-by-step guidance

Related Guides

• How to Set Up WeChat Pay as a Foreigner in 2026
• China Visa-Free Entry: Complete Guide for 55 Countries
• Booking Train Tickets in China Without Speaking Chinese