Airport, Transportation, and Getting Around
China operates world-class high-speed rail, extensive subway systems in major cities, and widely-used ride-share apps. Taxi drivers rarely speak English, so showing your destination in Chinese characters (via a translation app or hotel business card) combined with these phrases ensures you reach your destination.
Essential Transportation Phrases
Always confirm the price or meter before starting a taxi ride. The phrases below cover airports, trains, subways, taxis, and navigation.
Key Phrases for Directions
Mastering location questions and directional phrases dramatically simplifies getting around unfamiliar cities.
- ___在哪里? (___zài nǎlǐ?) means "Where is ___?" Example: 地铁站在哪里? (Where is the subway station?)
- 怎么去___? (zěnme qù ___?) means "How do I get to ___?" Example: 怎么去机场? (How do I get to the airport?)
- 去___,谢谢 (qù ___, xièxiè) means "To ___, thanks." Example: 去机场,谢谢。(To the airport, thanks.)
- 多少钱? (duōshǎo qián?) means "How much?" Example: 到北京饭店多少钱? (How much to Beijing Hotel?)
- 请打表 (qǐng dǎ biǎo) means "Please use the meter." Example: 请打表,谢谢。(Please use the meter, thanks.)
- 太贵了 (tài guì le) means "Too expensive." Example: 太贵了!便宜一点。(Too expensive! A little cheaper.)
- 一张票到___ (yī zhāng piào dào ___) means "One ticket to ___" Example: 一张票到上海,谢谢。(One ticket to Shanghai, thanks.)
- 几点出发? (jǐ diǎn chūfā?) means "What time does it leave?" Example: 火车几点出发? (What time does the train leave?)
- 我迷路了 (wǒ mílù le) means "I'm lost." Example: 对不起,我迷路了。(Sorry, I'm lost.)
- 这是什么地方? (zhè shì shénme dìfāng?) means "What place is this?" Example: 请问,这是什么地方? (Excuse me, what place is this?)
- 左边 / 右边 (zuǒbiān / yòubiān) means "Left / right." Example: 酒店在左边。(The hotel is on the left.)
- 一直走 (yīzhí zǒu) means "Go straight." Example: 一直走,然后右转。(Go straight, then turn right.)
- 请在这里停 (qǐng zài zhèlǐ tíng) means "Please stop here." Example: 司机,请在这里停。(Driver, please stop here.)
- 离这里远吗? (lí zhèlǐ yuǎn ma?) means "Is it far from here?" Example: 长城离这里远吗? (Is the Great Wall far from here?)
- 地图在哪里? (dìtú zài nǎlǐ?) means "Where is a map?" Example: 请问,地图在哪里? (Excuse me, where is a map?)
| Term | Meaning | Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| ___在哪里? | Where is ___? | ___ zài nǎlǐ? | 地铁站在哪里?, Where is the subway station? |
| 怎么去___? | How do I get to ___? | zěnme qù ___? | 怎么去机场?, How do I get to the airport? |
| 去___,谢谢 | To ___, thanks | qù ___, xièxiè | 去机场,谢谢。, To the airport, thanks. |
| 多少钱? | How much? | duōshǎo qián? | 到北京饭店多少钱?, How much to Beijing Hotel? |
| 请打表 | Please use the meter | qǐng dǎ biǎo | 请打表,谢谢。, Please use the meter, thanks. |
| 太贵了 | Too expensive | tài guì le | 太贵了!便宜一点。, Too expensive! A little cheaper. |
| 一张票到___ | One ticket to ___ | yī zhāng piào dào ___ | 一张票到上海,谢谢。, One ticket to Shanghai, thanks. |
| 几点出发? | What time does it leave? | jǐ diǎn chūfā? | 火车几点出发?, What time does the train leave? |
| 我迷路了 | I'm lost | wǒ mílù le | 对不起,我迷路了。, Sorry, I'm lost. |
| 这是什么地方? | What place is this? | zhè shì shénme dìfāng? | 请问,这是什么地方?, Excuse me, what place is this? |
| 左边 / 右边 | Left / right | zuǒbiān / yòubiān | 酒店在左边。, The hotel is on the left. |
| 一直走 | Go straight | yīzhí zǒu | 一直走,然后右转。, Go straight, then turn right. |
| 请在这里停 | Please stop here | qǐng zài zhèlǐ tíng | 司机,请在这里停。, Driver, please stop here. |
| 离这里远吗? | Is it far from here? | lí zhèlǐ yuǎn ma? | 长城离这里远吗?, Is the Great Wall far from here? |
| 地图在哪里? | Where is a map? | dìtú zài nǎlǐ? | 请问,地图在哪里?, Excuse me, where is a map? |
Hotels, Restaurants, and Shopping
Daily interactions at hotels, restaurants, and shops use a consistent set of phrases. In restaurants, call servers with 服务员 (fúwùyuán, waiter) or a polite wave.
Payment Methods in Modern China
China uses mobile payments extensively through WeChat Pay and Alipay. In many locations, cash and foreign credit cards see limited acceptance. Setting up mobile payment apps before your trip is highly recommended.
Accommodation and Dining Phrases
- 我有预订 (wǒ yǒu yùdìng) means "I have a reservation." Example: 你好,我有预订,名字是史密斯。(Hello, I have a reservation under Smith.)
- 我要办理入住 (wǒ yào bànlǐ rùzhù) means "I'd like to check in." Example: 你好,我要办理入住。(Hello, I'd like to check in.)
- WiFi密码是什么? (wiFi mìmǎ shì shénme?) means "What's the WiFi password?" Example: 请问,WiFi密码是什么? (Excuse me, what's the WiFi password?)
- 请给我菜单 (qǐng gěi wǒ càidān) means "Menu, please." Example: 服务员,请给我菜单。(Waiter, menu please.)
- 有英文菜单吗? (yǒu yīngwén càidān ma?) means "Do you have an English menu?" Example: 请问,有英文菜单吗? (Excuse me, do you have an English menu?)
- 推荐什么? (tuījiàn shénme?) means "What do you recommend?" Example: 你们推荐什么菜? (What dishes do you recommend?)
- 不要辣 (bù yào là) means "Not spicy." Example: 请不要辣,谢谢。(Please, not spicy, thanks.)
- 我是素食者 (wǒ shì sùshízhě) means "I'm vegetarian." Example: 我是素食者,不吃肉。(I'm vegetarian, I don't eat meat.)
Shopping and Payment Phrases
- 买单 (mǎidān) means "The check (pay the bill)." Example: 服务员,买单! (Waiter, the check!)
- 可以刷卡吗? (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?) means "Can I use a card?" Example: 你好,可以刷卡吗? (Hello, can I use a card?)
- 这个多少钱? (zhège duōshǎo qián?) means "How much is this?" Example: 请问,这个多少钱? (Excuse me, how much is this?)
- 便宜一点可以吗? (piányi yīdiǎn kěyǐ ma?) means "Can it be a little cheaper?" Example: 便宜一点可以吗? (Can it be a little cheaper?)
- 我要买这个 (wǒ yào mǎi zhège) means "I want to buy this." Example: 我要买这个,谢谢。(I want to buy this, thanks.)
- 请给我收据 (qǐng gěi wǒ shōujù) means "Receipt, please." Example: 请给我收据。(Receipt, please.)
- 请给我一瓶水 (qǐng gěi wǒ yī píng shuǐ) means "A bottle of water, please." Example: 请给我一瓶水,谢谢。(A bottle of water, please, thanks.)
| Term | Meaning | Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 我有预订 | I have a reservation | wǒ yǒu yùdìng | 你好,我有预订,名字是史密斯。, Hello, I have a reservation under Smith. |
| 我要办理入住 | I'd like to check in | wǒ yào bànlǐ rùzhù | 你好,我要办理入住。, Hello, I'd like to check in. |
| WiFi密码是什么? | What's the WiFi password? | wiFi mìmǎ shì shénme? | 请问,WiFi密码是什么?, Excuse me, what's the WiFi password? |
| 请给我菜单 | Menu, please | qǐng gěi wǒ càidān | 服务员,请给我菜单。, Waiter, menu please. |
| 有英文菜单吗? | Do you have an English menu? | yǒu yīngwén càidān ma? | 请问,有英文菜单吗?, Excuse me, do you have an English menu? |
| 推荐什么? | What do you recommend? | tuījiàn shénme? | 你们推荐什么菜?, What dishes do you recommend? |
| 不要辣 | Not spicy | bù yào là | 请不要辣,谢谢。, Please, not spicy, thanks. |
| 我是素食者 | I'm vegetarian | wǒ shì sùshízhě | 我是素食者,不吃肉。, I'm vegetarian, I don't eat meat. |
| 买单 | The check (pay the bill) | mǎidān | 服务员,买单!, Waiter, the check! |
| 可以刷卡吗? | Can I use a card? | kěyǐ shuākǎ ma? | 你好,可以刷卡吗?, Hello, can I use a card? |
| 这个多少钱? | How much is this? | zhège duōshǎo qián? | 请问,这个多少钱?, Excuse me, how much is this? |
| 便宜一点可以吗? | Can it be a little cheaper? | piányi yīdiǎn kěyǐ ma? | 便宜一点可以吗?, Can it be a little cheaper? |
| 我要买这个 | I want to buy this | wǒ yào mǎi zhège | 我要买这个,谢谢。, I want to buy this, thanks. |
| 请给我收据 | Receipt, please | qǐng gěi wǒ shōujù | 请给我收据。, Receipt, please. |
| 请给我一瓶水 | A bottle of water, please | qǐng gěi wǒ yī píng shuǐ | 请给我一瓶水,谢谢。, A bottle of water, please, thanks. |
Sightseeing, Emergencies, and Essential Questions
Tourist sites and unexpected situations require a different set of phrases. China generally ranks very safe for tourists, with low violent crime rates in most cities. Pickpocketing can occur in crowded tourist areas, so stay aware of your belongings. For true emergencies, 救命 (jiùmìng, help or save me) is the universal cry for help.
Photography and Admission Phrases
- 可以拍照吗? (kěyǐ pāizhào ma?) means "May I take a photo?" Example: 请问,这里可以拍照吗? (Excuse me, may I take a photo here?)
- 请帮我拍照 (qǐng bāng wǒ pāizhào) means "Please take my photo." Example: 请帮我拍一张照,谢谢。(Please take a photo for me, thanks.)
- 门票多少钱? (ménpiào duōshǎo qián?) means "How much is admission?" Example: 博物馆门票多少钱? (How much is admission to the museum?)
- 几点关门? (jǐ diǎn guānmén?) means "What time does it close?" Example: 这里几点关门? (What time does this place close?)
Emergency and Health Phrases
- 救命! (jiùmìng!) means "Help!" Example: 救命!请帮助我! (Help! Please help me!)
- 请叫警察 (qǐng jiào jǐngchá) means "Please call the police." Example: 请叫警察!有小偷! (Please call the police! There's a thief!)
- 我需要医生 (wǒ xūyào yīshēng) means "I need a doctor." Example: 我生病了,我需要医生。(I'm sick, I need a doctor.)
- 我丢了护照 (wǒ diū le hùzhào) means "I lost my passport." Example: 我丢了护照,怎么办? (I lost my passport, what should I do?)
- 医院在哪里? (yīyuàn zài nǎlǐ?) means "Where is the hospital?" Example: 最近的医院在哪里? (Where is the nearest hospital?)
- 药店在哪里? (yàodiàn zài nǎlǐ?) means "Where is the pharmacy?" Example: 最近的药店在哪里? (Where is the nearest pharmacy?)
Communication and Assistance Phrases
- 你会说英语吗? (nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ ma?) means "Do you speak English?" Example: 请问,你会说英语吗? (Excuse me, do you speak English?)
- 请说慢一点 (qǐng shuō màn yīdiǎn) means "Please speak slowly." Example: 我在学中文,请说慢一点。(I'm learning Chinese, please speak slowly.)
- 我听不懂 (wǒ tīng bù dǒng) means "I don't understand." Example: 对不起,我听不懂。(Sorry, I don't understand.)
- 谢谢 (xièxiè) means "Thank you." Example: 谢谢你的帮助。(Thank you for your help.)
- 美国大使馆在哪里? (měiguó dàshǐguǎn zài nǎlǐ?) means "Where is the American embassy?" Example: 请问,美国大使馆在哪里? (Excuse me, where is the American embassy?)
| Term | Meaning | Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 可以拍照吗? | May I take a photo? | kěyǐ pāizhào ma? | 请问,这里可以拍照吗?, Excuse me, may I take a photo here? |
| 请帮我拍照 | Please take my photo | qǐng bāng wǒ pāizhào | 请帮我拍一张照,谢谢。, Please take a photo for me, thanks. |
| 门票多少钱? | How much is admission? | ménpiào duōshǎo qián? | 博物馆门票多少钱?, How much is admission to the museum? |
| 几点关门? | What time does it close? | jǐ diǎn guānmén? | 这里几点关门?, What time does this place close? |
| 救命! | Help! | jiùmìng! | 救命!请帮助我!, Help! Please help me! |
| 请叫警察 | Please call the police | qǐng jiào jǐngchá | 请叫警察!有小偷!, Please call the police! There's a thief! |
| 我需要医生 | I need a doctor | wǒ xūyào yīshēng | 我生病了,我需要医生。, I'm sick, I need a doctor. |
| 我丢了护照 | I lost my passport | wǒ diū le hùzhào | 我丢了护照,怎么办?, I lost my passport, what should I do? |
| 医院在哪里? | Where is the hospital? | yīyuàn zài nǎlǐ? | 最近的医院在哪里?, Where is the nearest hospital? |
| 你会说英语吗? | Do you speak English? | nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ ma? | 请问,你会说英语吗?, Excuse me, do you speak English? |
| 请说慢一点 | Please speak slowly | qǐng shuō màn yīdiǎn | 我在学中文,请说慢一点。, I'm learning Chinese, please speak slowly. |
| 我听不懂 | I don't understand | wǒ tīng bù dǒng | 对不起,我听不懂。, Sorry, I don't understand. |
| 谢谢 | Thank you | xièxiè | 谢谢你的帮助。, Thank you for your help. |
| 美国大使馆在哪里? | Where is the American embassy? | měiguó dàshǐguǎn zài nǎlǐ? | 请问,美国大使馆在哪里?, Excuse me, where is the American embassy? |
| 药店在哪里? | Where is the pharmacy? | yàodiàn zài nǎlǐ? | 最近的药店在哪里?, Where is the nearest pharmacy? |
How to Study Chinese Effectively
Mastering Chinese requires the right study approach, not just more hours. Research in cognitive science shows three techniques produce the best learning outcomes: active recall (testing yourself rather than re-reading), spaced repetition (reviewing at scientifically-optimized intervals), and interleaving (mixing related topics rather than studying one in isolation).
Why Passive Review Fails
The most common mistake students make is relying on passive review methods. Re-reading notes, highlighting textbook passages, or watching lecture videos feels productive, but studies show these produce only 10-20% of the retention that active recall achieves. Flashcards force your brain to retrieve information, which strengthens memory pathways far more than recognition alone.
Building Your Study Routine
A practical plan for learning Chinese phrases includes these steps:
- Generate flashcards using FluentFlash AI or create them manually from your notes
- Study 15-20 new cards per day, plus scheduled reviews
- Use multiple study modes (flip, multiple choice, written) to strengthen recall
- Track your progress and identify weak topics for focused review
- Review consistently; daily practice beats marathon sessions
Maximizing Retention with Spaced Repetition
FluentFlash uses the FSRS algorithm, a modern spaced repetition system that schedules reviews at mathematically-optimal intervals based on your performance. Cards you find easy get pushed further into the future. Cards you struggle with come back sooner. Over 2-3 weeks of consistent practice, Chinese concepts become automatic rather than effortful to recall.
- 1
Generate flashcards using FluentFlash AI or create them manually from your notes
- 2
Study 15-20 new cards per day, plus scheduled reviews
- 3
Use multiple study modes (flip, multiple choice, written) to strengthen recall
- 4
Track your progress and identify weak topics for focused review
- 5
Review consistently, daily practice beats marathon sessions
Why Flashcards Work Better Than Other Study Methods for Chinese
Flashcards are not just for vocabulary; they rank among the most research-backed study tools for any subject, including Chinese. Memory works through retrieval practice. When you read a textbook passage, your brain stores information in short-term memory. Without retrieval practice, it fades within hours. Flashcards force retrieval, which transfers information from short-term to long-term memory.
The Testing Effect
The testing effect, documented in hundreds of peer-reviewed studies, shows that students using flashcards consistently outperform those who re-read by 30-60% on delayed tests. This superiority does not come from flashcards containing more information; it comes from retrieval strengthening neural pathways in ways that passive exposure cannot. Every successful recall of a concept makes that concept easier to recall next time.
FSRS Algorithm Optimization
FluentFlash amplifies this effect with the FSRS algorithm, a modern spaced repetition system that schedules reviews at mathematically-optimal intervals based on your actual performance. Students using FSRS-based systems typically retain 85-95% of material after 30 days, compared to roughly 20% retention from passive review alone. This efficiency means you master Chinese travel phrases in weeks rather than months.