Basic Mandarin Chinese words and 

phrases
Hello: Nǐhǎo (Nee how)

If there’s only one word you learn, this is it. Use this to greet everyone from
your taxi driver to your waiter to the receptionist at the hotel front desk.

Thank you: Xièxiè (Shieh-shieh)

And if there’s a second word to know, this would be it. Always be a polite
tourist.

You’re welcome: Bù kèqì (Boo kuh-chi)

Respond with this if someone says “xièxiè (shieh-shieh)” to you.

Good morning: Zǎo (Zhow)

Instead of saying both hello (nǐhǎo) and good morning, you can greet
someone with just zǎo in the morning.

Goodnight: Wǎn'ān (One-un)

This is typically used when you're actually going to bed.

My name is…: Wǒ jiào... (Wuh jeow...)

This literally means “I am called...”

My friend’s name is...: Wǒ de péngyǒu jiào… (Wuh duh pung-yo jeow...)

If you’re traveling with a friend, you can now introduce him or her as well. If
someone calls you "peng you," don't worry: they're just calling you a friend.

Useful Mandarin Chinese phrases for 
travelers
Where is the bathroom: Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ? (See-sow-jian zai na-lee?)

This literally translates to “Where is the hand-washing room?” so you can

mimic the motion of washing your hands to help your chances of being
understood. You will see 男 on the door for the men’s bathroom and 女 on the
door of the women’s.

How much?: Duō shǎo? (Dwuh shauw?)

Use this phrase to ask the price of something at a street market in China,
Taiwan, or Singapore.

Too expensive: Tài guìle! (Tie gway luh!)

Impress them further by trying to haggle in Chinese — because you're

usually given the tourist price first. (Keep in mind that it’s appropriate to haggle
for souvenirs, clothing, shoes, and accessories in markets, but food is typically
a fixed price.)
Make it cheaper: Piányí yī diǎn. (Pian-yee yee dian.)

Combine this phrase with the one above and you're well on your way to
becoming a fluent haggler in Chinese.

Very beautiful: Hĕn piàoliang (Hen peow-liung)

Locals love when you compliment their home country, so feel free to stoke
their egos a bit with this phrase. For example, you might tell your cab driver on
the Bund, “Shanghai hen piaoliang” or remark to your tour guide, “Guilin hen
piaoliang,” while admiring the karst mountains. If trying to impress a lady you
can tell her, “Nǐ hěn piàoliang (nee hen peow liung).” We make no promises
about the outcome.

Delicious: Hào chī (How chir); Very delicious: Hěn hào chī (Hen how
chir)

The food is a main attraction in Chinese-speaking countries. Use this phrase

to praise your host, the waiter, the chef at a restaurant, or the cook at a street
stand. If you’re especially impressed with the food, you can even say "Tài hào
chīle (tie how chir luh)", which means "Too delicious."

Check, please: Măi dān (My dahn)

Try saying this at the end of your meal.

I don't understand: Wǒ bù dǒng (Wuh boo dong)

A good phrase to remember as you will likely need it.

Let's go!: Wǒmen zǒu ba! (Wuh-men zoew bah!)

You can use this to signify you're ready to leave or to prompt your companions
to get going.

Common Mandarin Chinese words
Yes: Shì (Sheh)

No: Bù shì (Bu-sheh)

Good: Hǎo (How)

Bad: Bù hǎo (Boo-how)

Today: Jīntiān (Jeen-tian)

Tomorrow: Míngtiān (Meeng-tian)

Yesterday: Zuótiān (Zwuh-tian)

Goodbye: Zàijiàn (Zhai-jian)

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