Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world with over one billion speakers. Even if the tones seem intimidating, Chinese people greatly appreciate foreigners who make the effort. This kit gives you the keys to survive in Beijing, Shanghai or Chengdu.
Mandarin Chinese, or Pǔtōnghuà (普通话, the common tongue), is the mother language of around one billion one hundred million people and the official language of the People's Republic of China, of Taiwan (under the name Guóyǔ), and one of the four official languages of Singapore. It is also one of the six working languages of the United Nations. Standard Mandarin is based on the pronunciation of Beijing and the grammar of northern dialects. Its most striking feature for a traveller is its tonal system: four phonological tones plus a neutral tone radically transform the meaning of the same syllable. The word mā can mean mother, hemp, horse or to scold depending on whether your voice rises, falls or stays flat. Writing uses simplified sinographs on the mainland and in Singapore, and traditional sinographs in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. The official romanisation, Pinyin, lets you read and pronounce without knowing the characters. This survival kit prepares you for a short stay in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu or Taipei. You will find the essential greetings, taxi and metro phrases, the codes of the Cantonese or Sichuan restaurant, emergency formulas and useful hotel vocabulary. You will also discover the cultural codes that truly matter: the concept of mianzi (face), the custom of paying the bill, the use of WeChat for payments and the symbolism of numbers. A few words spoken with respect open every door in China.
Here is how these phrases play out in real life. Each scene sets the stage and gathers the useful expressions.
You land at Beijing Daxing or Shanghai Pudong. You greet the immigration officer with a respectful Nǐ hǎo, you thank with a Xiè xie and you ask whether anyone speaks English before heading to the exit. A smile and a calm tone matter as much as the words.
You leave the terminal and look for an official taxi or a Didi. You ask for a taxi to be called, you state the airport or hotel as your destination, you check the price before getting in and you tell the driver where to drop you. Have your address ready in sinographs, the driver rarely reads pinyin.
You sit down in a neighbourhood canteen or a hot pot restaurant. You ask for the menu, you check the server's recommendations, you specify that you want little spice, then you ask for the bill. Slurping noodles is appreciated, never stand your chopsticks straight in the rice.
Someone close to you feels unwell in the street. You call for help, you ask for the police or emergency services to be notified, you say that you need a doctor and you ask the way to the nearest hospital. The general emergency number is 110, and 120 for the ambulance.
Your stay is ending. You greet the hotel team, you take the metro or a high-speed train ticket to the airport, you exchange a last Zài jiàn. Keep your passport handy, the exit check is quick but strict.
What you need to know before travelling to a mandarin chinese-speaking country.
"Mianzi" (face) is a fundamental concept. Avoid criticizing or embarrassing someone in public: this causes a devastating loss of face for both parties.
Receiving a business card with both hands and examining it respectfully is an important ritual in professional contexts. Never stuff it in your pocket without looking at it.
In a restaurant, there is a battle to pay the bill. The host always insists on treating. Resisting a little is expected, but ultimately letting the host pay is the right attitude.
WeChat is essential in China. Most payments, reservations and communications are done via this application. Creating an account before arriving is strongly recommended.
Punctuality is greatly appreciated, especially in professional contexts. Arriving early is better perceived than arriving exactly on time.
Gifts are generally offered wrapped, never in white paper (color of mourning). Red and gold are the lucky colors par excellence.
Slurping noodles is a compliment to the chef, not a lack of manners. In China, eating noisily means it's good.
Number superstitions are important: 8 is lucky (prosperity), 4 is unlucky (sounds like "death" in Chinese). Avoid giving 4 of anything.
Preview. The full glossary (30 words) and all the phrases are in the PDF.
是
Shi
Yes
不
Bu
No
谢谢
Xie xie
Thank you
不客气
Bu keqi
You're welcome
对不起
Dui bu qi
Sorry
水
Shui
Water
食物
Shiwu
Food
酒店
Jiudian
Hotel
机场
Jichang
Airport
医院
Yiyuan
Hospital
A hundred words, thirty key phrases, as a printable PDF. Instant download, also sent by e-mail.
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Every translation is cross-checked against at least two concordant sources among the references below.
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