How to Say in Chinese: A Beginner's Guide

Ever found yourself humming a catchy Mandarin tune or craving a bite of authentic Peking duck, only to realize you don’t know how to order it or even say “hello” in Chinese? You’re not alone! Mandarin Chinese, with over a billion speakers, is a global language powerhouse. Learning even a few basic phrases can unlock a world of opportunities, from connecting with new cultures and forging international friendships to boosting your career prospects in an increasingly interconnected global economy. Knowing how to communicate even a little in Chinese shows respect, fosters deeper connections, and opens doors you never knew existed.

More than just memorizing words, understanding the nuances of Mandarin pronunciation and grammar provides a fascinating glimpse into a rich and ancient culture. Imagine being able to navigate bustling markets, understand local customs, and truly immerse yourself in the beauty of China, Taiwan, or Singapore. The ability to communicate in Chinese, even at a beginner level, empowers you to travel with confidence, build meaningful relationships, and experience the world from a fresh perspective. Whether you’re planning a trip, hoping to connect with family heritage, or simply eager to expand your linguistic horizons, knowing how to say basic phrases in Chinese is a fantastic starting point.

What are some common phrases I should learn, and how do I pronounce them?

How do you say “hello” in Chinese?

The most common way to say “hello” in Chinese is 你好 (nǐ hǎo). This is a general greeting suitable for most situations and people.

Breaking down the greeting, 你 (nǐ) means “you,” and 好 (hǎo) means “good” or “well.” So, literally, 你好 (nǐ hǎo) translates to “you good.” The tones are important: 你 (nǐ) is a third tone, and 好 (hǎo) is also a third tone. When two third tones appear together, the first one changes to a second tone, so you actually pronounce it as “ní hǎo.” Practice saying it a few times to get the pronunciation correct.

While 你好 (nǐ hǎo) is the standard greeting, there are other ways to say “hello” depending on the context and who you’re addressing. For example, to greet a group of people, you might say 大家好 (dà jiā hǎo), which means “hello everyone.” You can also use more informal greetings with people you know well, but for most situations, sticking with 你好 (nǐ hǎo) is perfectly acceptable and polite. Also, greetings can be modified by time of day, such as 早安 (zǎo ān) for “Good morning,” although direct translations of English greetings aren’t as universally used as *nǐ hǎo* is.

What’s the best way to say “thank you” in Chinese?

The most common and generally applicable way to say “thank you” in Mandarin Chinese is 谢谢 (xièxie). It’s a versatile expression used in almost all situations, from thanking a shopkeeper to expressing gratitude to a friend for a gift.

While 谢谢 (xièxie) is the go-to phrase, it’s helpful to understand nuances and variations for different contexts. For showing deeper gratitude, especially for a significant favor or help, you can say 非常感谢 (fēicháng gǎnxiè), which means “thank you very much.” Another option for expressing heartfelt thanks is 感谢你 (gǎnxiè nǐ), directly translating to “thank you (to you).” The choice between these depends on the specific relationship and the level of formality desired.

In response to someone thanking you, the most common reply is 不客气 (bù kèqì), which means “you’re welcome” or “don’t mention it.” You might also hear 不谢 (bù xiè), a shorter and more casual version, especially among friends. In situations where someone has gone to great lengths to help you, a more formal response like 不用谢 (bú yòng xiè) is appropriate; it suggests that their help was significant but offered without expectation of reward.

How do I say “I don’t understand” in Chinese?

The most common and versatile way to say “I don’t understand” in Chinese is 我不明白 (Wǒ bù míngbái). This phrase is suitable for a wide range of situations, from casual conversations to more formal settings.

While 我不明白 (Wǒ bù míngbái) is the go-to option, there are other ways to express a lack of understanding depending on the context and your desired level of politeness. For instance, you could say 我不懂 (Wǒ bù dǒng), which literally translates to “I don’t understand/know.” This is slightly more informal than 我不明白. Another option, particularly if you didn’t hear something clearly, is to say 你说什么？(Nǐ shuō shénme?), meaning “What did you say?” While not a direct translation of “I don’t understand,” it effectively communicates that you need clarification.

Furthermore, to emphasize your lack of comprehension or to seek further explanation, you can add phrases like “请再说一遍 (Qǐng zài shuō yībiàn)” which means “Please say it again,” or “请说慢一点 (Qǐng shuō màn yīdiǎn)” which means “Please speak slower.” Using these phrases in conjunction with one of the core “I don’t understand” expressions demonstrates your willingness to engage and learn.

How do you say your name in Chinese?

To say “What is your name?” in Chinese, you would say “你叫什么名字？” (Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?). This phrase directly translates to “You are called what name?” and is the standard way to inquire about someone’s name in Mandarin Chinese.

You can break down the phrase for better understanding. “你” (Nǐ) means “you,” “叫” (jiào) means “to be called” or “to call,” “什么” (shénme) means “what,” and “名字” (míngzi) means “name.” The order of the words is crucial for proper grammar in Chinese, and asking it this way is both polite and universally understood. Note that the tones are essential in Mandarin, so practicing the correct pronunciation is vital for clear communication. When someone asks you “你叫什么名字？”, you would typically respond with “我叫…” (Wǒ jiào…), followed by your name. “我” (Wǒ) means “I,” so the entire phrase translates to “I am called…”. If you’re using a Chinese name, you would state it directly. If you’re using an English name, you might either say it directly (although it might be hard to understand due to pronunciation differences), or find a transliterated Chinese name that sounds similar to your English name for easier communication.

How to say “how much” in Chinese for shopping?

The most common and direct way to ask “how much” in Chinese when shopping is 多少钱? (Duōshao qián?). This phrase translates literally to “how much money?” and is universally understood in Mandarin Chinese-speaking regions.

To break down the phrase, 多少 (duōshao) means “how much” or “how many,” and 钱 (qián) means “money.” You can use this phrase for almost any shopping situation, from buying groceries at a market to purchasing clothing in a department store. Another common, slightly more formal option is 多少? (Duōshao?) alone, especially when the context makes it very clear you’re asking about the price. However, using “多少钱?” is always a safe bet and avoids any potential ambiguity. Remember to listen carefully to the response, as the shopkeeper will likely state the price followed by 元 (yuán), which is the basic unit of Chinese currency (similar to “dollar”). In addition to the basic phrase, it’s helpful to understand the units of currency. While 元 (yuán) is the primary unit, colloquially, you might hear 块 (kuài) used interchangeably with 元 (yuán), particularly in spoken Mandarin. Subdivisions exist as well; 角 (jiǎo) is 1/10th of a 元 and 分 (fēn) is 1/100th of a 元. While 分 (fēn) is becoming less common in everyday transactions due to its low value, it’s still good to be aware of.

What’s the polite way to say “excuse me” in Chinese?

The most common and generally polite way to say “excuse me” in Chinese is “请问” (qǐng wèn). This phrase literally translates to “please ask” but is used as a polite lead-in when you need to interrupt someone to ask a question or request something.

“请问” (qǐng wèn) is a versatile phrase suitable for many situations, such as asking for directions, getting someone’s attention in a store, or needing to interrupt a conversation briefly. It signals respect and indicates that you are aware you’re imposing slightly on the other person. Beyond “请问”, the specific phrase you choose will depend on the context. For example, if you need to squeeze past someone, you might say “借过” (jiè guò), which translates to “excuse me (to pass)”. Another helpful phrase is “不好意思” (bù hǎo yì si). While it can also mean “sorry” or “excuse me,” its primary connotation is closer to “I’m embarrassed” or “I feel bad.” It’s useful when you’ve accidentally bumped into someone or need to interrupt someone in a slightly more significant way, conveying a sense of apology for the inconvenience. Unlike “请问,” which focuses on your need for information or assistance, “不好意思” acknowledges the potential disruption you’re causing. Choose whichever fits the social situation best for effective communication.

How to say “goodbye” in Chinese?

The most common way to say “goodbye” in Chinese is 再见 (zài jiàn), which literally means “see you again.” It’s a versatile and widely used farewell suitable for almost any situation.

While “再见 (zài jiàn)” is the standard, Chinese culture, like any other, offers a variety of ways to say goodbye depending on the context and your relationship with the person you’re addressing. For example, if you know you won’t see someone for a while, you might say something like “回头见 (huí tóu jiàn),” meaning “see you later,” which implies an undefined but likely future meeting. For more formal or business settings, sticking with “再见 (zài jiàn)” is generally the safest and most appropriate option. Beyond literal translations, consider adding a polite phrase before or after your goodbye. For instance, you could say “谢谢，再见 (xiè xiè, zài jiàn)” which translates to “Thank you, goodbye.” Adding a thank you, especially after a meeting or receiving help, demonstrates respect and good manners. Remember that tone and nonverbal cues, like a smile or a slight bow, also contribute significantly to the overall message and politeness of your farewell.

And there you have it! Hopefully, this has given you a good start on saying some common phrases in Chinese. Thanks for reading, and we hope you’ll come back soon for more language-learning tips and tricks!