Lonely Planet Mandarin Phrasebook & Dictionary

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Mandarin audio phrasebook
September 2018
Published by
Lonely Planet Global Limited CRN 554153
Cover Image
Lama Temple, Beijing. Daniele Coppa/4Corners ©
ISBN 9781788686334
Text © Lonely Planet 2018

cover illustration © Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd 2009
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acknowledgments
This edition of Lonely Planet’s Mandarin phrasebook is based on the
previous editions by the Lonely Planet Language Products team and
Anthony Garnaut, Momoko Honda, Ji Yuanfang and Elizabeth Chong.
Lonely Planet’s Language Products team consists of: Tali Budlender

(Associate Publisher), Annelies Mertens (Managing Editor), Branislava
Vladisavljevic and Laura Crawford (Editors), Celia Wood (Managing
Layout Designer), Jessica Rose and David Kemp (Layout Designers), and
Wayne Murphy (Cartographer).
Thanks also to the following for their contribution to this book: Jane Atkin,
Vanessa Battersby, Francesca Coles, Sally Darmody, Ben Handicott,
Yukiyoshi Kamimura, Rebecca Lalor, Adriana Mammarella, Chris Rennie
and Karin Vidstrup-Monk.

make the most of this phrasebook ...
Anyone can speak another language! It’s all about confidence. Don’t worry
if you can’t remember your school language lessons or if you’ve never
learnt a language before. Even if you learn the very basics, your travel
experience will be the better for it. You have nothing to lose and everything
to gain when the locals hear you making an effort.
finding things in this book

For easy navigation, this book is in sections. The Tools chapters are the
ones you’ll thumb through time and again. The Practical section covers
basic travel situations like catching transport and finding a bed. The Social
section gives you conversational phrases, pick-up lines, the ability to
express opinions – so you can get to know people. Food has a section all of
its own: gourmets and vegetarians are covered and local dishes feature. Safe
Travel equips you with health and police phrases, just in case. Remember
the colours of each section and you’ll find everything easily; or use the
hyperlinks provided in the Table of Contents. Otherwise, check the two-way
traveller’s Dictionary for the word you need.
being understood
Throughout this book you’ll see coloured phrases beneath each translation.
They’re phonetic guides to help you pronounce the language. You don’t
even need to look at the language itself, but you’ll get used to the way
we’ve represented particular sounds. The pronunciation chapter in Tools
will explain more, but you can feel confident that if you read the coloured
phrase slowly, you’ll be understood.
using the audio

You’ll notice the audio icons beneath a selection of phrases in this book.
Use the audio to help master your own pronunciation, or use it on the road
by letting it do some of the talking for you.

For more details see the introduction

INTRODUCTION
引论
It may surprise you to learn that Mandarin is not really the name of a
language. The term 'Mandarin' actually refers to one of the seven Chinese
dialect groups – Mandarin being the largest of those groups. What most
English speakers refer to when they use the term ‘Mandarin’ is more
accurately described as Modern Standard Chinese or Pǔtōnghuà – to give it
its Chinese name. So, although this phrasebook has ‘Mandarin’ emblazoned
on its cover, the language contained in it is best described as Modern
Standard Chinese.
What exactly is Modern Standard Chinese-cum-Mandarin and why is it
the most useful form of Chinese for the traveller? Modern Standard Chinese
is based on the Beijing dialect of Mandarin. Its grammar, vocabulary and
pronunciation reflect the norms of the capital. It’s the main language used in
official contexts, in the media and education. Just about everyone in China
therefore has exposure to the standard language and can read, speak and
understand it.
at a glance …
language name: Mandarin Chinese
name in language: Pǔtōnghuà (China), Guóyǔ (Taiwan) & Huáyǔ
(Singapore)
language family: Sino-Tibetan family
approximate number of speakers: 800 million plus
close relatives: other dialects of Chinese including Hakka, Gan, Yue, Min,
Xiang & Wu
donations to English: tea, chopsticks, Japan, ketchup, kowtow, kung fu,
wushu, tai chi & silk

The Chinese name for Modern Standard Chinese, Pǔtōnghuà, literally
means ‘the common dialect’ – and it’s been a powerful force for linguistic
and political unity in a country with countless dialects, many of them
mutually unintelligible.
Aside from its use in mainland China, Modern Standard Chinese has
official status in Taiwan (where it’s called Guóyǔ) and Singapore (where
it’s called Huáyǔ). In addition, hundreds of thousands of people in migrant
communities around the world speak Mandarin in one form or another. The
total number of speakers worldwide is in excess of 800 million, making
Mandarin the most widely spoken ‘language’ in the world.
There are two versions of written Chinese. Simplified Chinese is used in
mainland China and has been adopted by Singapore, Malaysia and other
South East Asian countries. Traditional Chinese is used in Taiwan, Hong
Kong and Macau. The two systems share the majority of characters but
there is a small number of commonly used characters which are different.
Simplified Chinese has been used throughout this phrasebook.
There can be no doubt about the practical advantages of taking this
Mandarin phrasebook on a trip to China with you. It contains all the useful
words and phrases to help make your trip as hassle free as possible. Another
compelling reason to bring it with you are the social words and phrases
which will open up a world of possibilities for social interaction and
cultural exchange with the locals.
By taking the time to acquaint yourself with China’s national language
you’ll also be accessing a vital part of a rich and ancient culture and a
dynamic modern society. Add to this the aesthetic appeal of its writing
system and the logical simplicity of its grammar and you’ll be richly
rewarded for your efforts.

TOOLS > pronunciation
发音
the pinyin system

vowel sounds
vowel/consonant combinations
consonant sounds
tones
writing system
plunge in
For speakers of English, the sounds of Mandarin are quite easy to produce,
as many of them have equivalents in English. One aspect of the language
that may prove a little challenging is the use of tones. In Mandarin you can
change the meaning of a word by altering the pitch level (tone) at which it
is spoken. (See tones for an explanation of how this works).
the pinyin system

汉语拼音
Pinyin was officially adopted by the Chinese in 1958 as a way of writing

Chinese using the Roman alphabet. It provided access to a common
language in a vast country with countless dialects, and so played an
important role in communication and development. Today in Chinese cities
you’ll see Pinyin everywhere: on maps, road signs, shop signs and in brand
names. Nevertheless, many Chinese can’t read Pinyin, and you’ll find its

use very limited in rural areas, so this book includes the Chinese script
characters as well.
Pinyin is back by popular demand in this new edition of the Mandarin
phrasebook. You’ll find it an easy system to use once you’ve learnt the rules
on how to pronounce letters. (For example, Pinyin c is pronounced like the
‘ts’ in ‘cats’ and Pinyin q is pronounced like the ‘ch’ in ‘cheese’.)
For information on the Chinese names of the roman alphabet letters –
useful if, for example, you need to spell out your name on check-in – see
spelling it out.
vowel sounds
元音
Mandarin vowels are straightforward and you’ll notice that there’s quite a
lot of overlap with English vowel sounds. Be aware that in Pinyin vowels
are often pronounced differently depending on the other letters surrounding
them, as shown in the table below.
mandarin
pinyin english equivalent
example
fà (fàn,
a (an, ang) father (fun, sung)
făng)
gě (mèn,
e (en, eng) her (broken, Deng)
fēng)
pí (pǐn,
i (in, ing) peel (pin, ping)
píng)
i (after z, c, or s) girl zǐ
i (after zh, ch, sh or like the r in Grrr! shí

r)
o (ong) more (Jung) bó (tóng)
u tool shù
ü (and u or un after similar to new pronounced
lǚ (qù, yùn)
j, q, x or y) with rounded lips
vowel/consonant combinations
双元音
Mandarin has quite a few dipthongs (vowel sound combinations) and vowel
and consonant combinations – when the letters i and u occur before other
vowels, they are pronounced ‘y’ and ‘w’ respectively. Again, you’ll notice
that most of these have counterparts in English.
pinyin english equivalent mandarin example

ai aisle zài
ao now báo
ei pay bèi
ia yard jiā
ian yen tiān
iang young xiǎng
iao loud xiǎo
ie yes xié
iong Jung xiōngdì
iu yolk qiú
ou low lóu
ua wah! guā
uai why kuài
uan one chuān
uan (after j, q, x or y) went yuān

uang swung kuàng
ue you wet yuè
ui way tuǐ
uo war huǒ
consonant sounds
辅音
The consonants should be quite easy for you to get your tongue around, as
they’ll all be familiar from English.
pinyin english equivalent mandarin example

b bit bāng
c cats cè
ch true chū
d dog dì
f fun fēng
g go gān
h hot hǎi
j jump jùn
k kid kě
l lip lín
m map mín
n no néng
ng sing máng
p pig pèi
q churn qū
r run rì
s sip sī

sh shop shǎo
t top tú
w win wàng
y you yǒu
x sheet xiá
z lads zì
zh gem zhāo
tones
音调
Many words in Mandarin appear to have the same basic pronunciation.

What distinguishes these ‘homophones’ is their tonal quality – the raising
and lowering of pitch on certain syllables. Mandarin is commonly described
as having four tones, (numbered first through fourth), as well as a fifth,
neutral tone. Apart from the unmarked neutral tone, Pinyin uses diacritics
(symbols) to indicate each tone, appearing above the vowels as shown here.
The table below shows how one ‘word’ ma can have five different
meanings distinguished by tone.
tone example meaning

1st – high mā mother
2nd – high rising má hemp

3rd – low falling-rising mǎ horse
4th – high falling mà scold
neutral ma question marker
Tones in Mandarin allow for some amusing tonally based tongue twisters
such as this one based on the example words:
Mother rides a horse. The horse is slow. Mother scolds the horse.
妈妈骑马,马慢,妈妈骂马。
Māma qí mǎ, mǎ màn, māma mà mǎ.
(lit: mother ride horse, horse slow, mother scold horse)
Bear in mind that tones are not absolute in pitch but are relative to your
natural vocal range. So don’t feel inhibited – just experiment with the
contours of your natural voice. English speakers do this anyway to a small
extent. When you pronounce ‘What?’ you’re getting close to a Mandarin
high rising tone and when you say ‘Damn!’ you’re approximating a high
falling tone.
There’s no need to feel daunted by this ‘foreign’ system. There’s nothing
obscure or mysterious about tones – over half of the world’s languages use
them. You might have mixed success in getting your meaning across to start
with, but remember that patient repetition is all it takes to learn. Even if
your tones are slightly off, the meaning you wish to convey will often be
clear from the context. Failing that, you can always point to the word or
phrase you’re aiming for in this phrasebook.
tonal variations
In spoken Mandarin, tones can sometimes vary with context. The most
common change occurs when there are two low falling-rising (3rd) tones in
sequence – the first one changes to something more like a high rising (2nd)
tone, for example:
at least
起码
qǐ mǎ is pronounced as qí mǎ

Another common change occurs when the word bù 不 ‘no/not’ is followed
by another high falling tone – in that case it’s pronounced as a high rising
tone, for example:
incorrect
不对
bù duì is pronounced as bú duì
The common character yī 一 ‘one’ has a couple of tonal variations. It has a
high tone when used in isolation, a high rising tone when followed by a
high falling tone (as in 一会儿 yīhuìr ‘a little while’ which is pronounced as
yíhuìr), and a high falling tone when followed by any other tone, for
example:
ordinary
一般
yībān is pronounced as yìbān
together
一同
yītóng is pronounced as yìtóng
a little
一点儿
yīdiǎnr is pronounced as yìdiǎnr
In our pronunciation guides throughout the book we show the unmodified
version of these tones – the ones mentioned first in the examples above –
which is the correct style for written Pinyin.
writing system
汉字

Chinese is often described as a language of pictographs. Many of the basic
Chinese characters are in fact highly stylised pictures of what they
represent, but the majority of Chinese characters are compounds of a
‘meaning’ element and a ‘sound’ element. Each Chinese character
represents a spoken syllable. Most Chinese words are comprised of two
separate characters.
The bulkiest Chinese dictionaries have some 100,000 characters, but to be
able to read a newspaper you only need to know a few thousand.
Theoretically, all Chinese dialects use the same writing system and people
from all over China should be able to read and understand the Chinese
characters in the words and phrases in this book. In practice, however,
Cantonese adds about 3000 specialised characters and many dialects don’t
have a written form at all.
plunge in!
别怕说错！
The most important thing to keep in mind with Mandarin pronunciation is

just to get out there and give it a go! Don’t waste your time getting hung up
on tones, or anything else for that matter. Let the desire to communicate
carry you along and help you make the most out of your travel experience.
Above all, have fun with it!
Beijingese
Speakers of Mandarin are spread far and wide from Manchuria in northeast
China to Yunnan in southwest China. It should come as no surprise
therefore that there are many different dialects of Mandarin. These dialects
differ from each other in vocabulary, grammar (subtly) and – most
obviously to the foreign ear – pronunciation.
The pronunciation given in this book is based on ‘Beijingese’, the dialect
of Mandarin that’s spoken in the capital Beijing. This is because Modern
Standard Chinese is based upon the Beijing dialect.
One feature of standard Mandarin that’s a reflection of a peculiarly
Beijing pronunciation is the addition of an ‘r’ sound at the end of many

words. This ‘r’ sound is represented in this phrasebook by the character
儿. You won’t normally hear this ‘r’ in other parts of China. Also be aware
that outside the capital the sibilant (hissing) sounds ‘s’ and ‘z’ may not
match the patterns of the Beijing standard. Generally speaking, the greater
the distance from the capital the more you should expect to hear different
pronunciations.
With the status of official language comes a certain prestige. In following
the pronunciation given in this book you may find that you are
complemented on your ‘correct’ Mandarin. You should also find that
you’ll be understood throughout China as all Chinese have broad exposure
to the official language.

a–z phrasebuilder
造句须知
a/an & the

adjectives
articles
be
commands
comparing things
counting things
describing things
expressing time
have
joining words
location
need
negatives
nouns
particles
pointing things out
possession
prepositions
pronouns
questions
question words
time
verbs
want
word order
yes & no

This chapter is a basic grammar of Mandarin explained in layman’s terms.
It’s designed to help you make your own sentences. We hope it’ll encourage
you to explore beyond the territory of the phrases given in this phrasebook
and to create your own adventures in communication and cultural exchange.
You should be all the more encouraged to do so by the fact that Mandarin
grammar is really quite a simple and logical system.
a/an & the

One thing that you won’t have to bother about when putting together a
Mandarin sentence are the equivalents for the English articles ‘a/an’ and
‘the’. This is because Mandarin doesn’t have articles at all. In Mandarin the
context indicates whether something indefinite (corresponding to ‘a/an’) or
definite (corresponding to ‘the’) is meant.
adjectives see describing things
articles see a/an & the
be
Although Mandarin has an equivalent of the English verb ‘to be’, shì 是, it’s
not used in quite the same way as in English. The verb shì is only ever used
with a noun, as in the sentence:
I’m a doctor.
我是医生。
Wǒ shì yīshēng.
(lit: I am doctor)

The verb shì is dropped altogether with adjectives – a Mandarin speaker
says literally ‘I thirsty’ not ‘I am thirsty’. (The particle le 了 indicates a
change of state, ie ‘I was not thirsty but I am thirsty now’.)
I’m thirsty.
我渴了。
Wǒ kěle.
(lit: I thirsty-le)
commands
To express a command in Mandarin you place emphasis on the verb. A
positive command is formed by just stating the verb in a commanding tone:
Leave!
滚！
Gǔn!
(lit: roll (away)!)
A negative command is formed by putting ‘not want’ bùyào 不要

(sometimes abbreviated to bié 别) before a verb. There’s also a polite form
of a negative command – akin to saying ‘needn’t’ in English. In this case
‘not need’ bùyòng 不用 is placed before the verb. This has an abbreviated
form béng 甭.
not want
不要
bùyào
not want (abbreviated form)
别
bié
not need

不用
bùyòng
not need (abbreviated form)
甭
béng
Don’t shout!
不要喊！
Bùyào hǎn!
(lit: not-want shout)
No need for formalities!
不用客气！
Bùyòng kèqi!
(lit. not-need politeness)
comparing things
To compare one thing to another, you insert the word bǐ 比 ‘compare’
between the two objects you wish to compare. As in English, the object
being compared comes before the yardstick of comparison.
China is bigger than Australia.
中国比澳大利亚大。
Zhōngguó bǐ Àodàlìyà dà.
(lit: China compare Australia big)
This one’s better than that one.
这个比那个好。
Zhège bǐ nàge hǎo.
(lit: this-one compare that-one good)
counting things

In Mandarin, when you talk about quantities of any noun, it’s important to
put a classifier or ‘measure word’ between the number and the noun. This
concept is not entirely alien to English. We talk about ‘two pairs of pants’,
‘two bunches of bananas’, ‘two sheets of paper’ etc. The system is a bit
more highly developed in Mandarin and classifiers must be used every time
numbers are used with a noun. Different classifiers are used for different
kinds of objects, taking into account their shape, or a general catergory
(based on Chinese logic) to which they belong. The full list of classifiers is
too long to give here but these are the most common ones:
generic classifier 个 gè
big things (mountains, buildings, etc) 座 zuò
chairs, knives, teapots, tools or implements with
把 bǎ
handles
drinking receptacles (cups, glasses etc) 杯 bēi
flat things (tickets, stamps etc) 张 zhāng
flowers (the blossoms, not the plants) 朵 duǒ
long things (fish, snakes, rivers etc) 条 tiáo
nondescript animals (dogs, cats etc) 只 zhī
people 位 wèi
trees 棵 kē
vehicles 辆 liàng
Don’t be intimidated by this system. The good news is that you can get by
just using the ‘generic’ (all-purpose) classifier ge 个. It may not be strictly
correct, and you may find people gently correcting you, but you’ll be
understood.
Classifiers are used with the demonstrative pronouns ‘this’ (zhè 这) and
‘that’ (nà 那) and between pronouns and nouns (see also pointing things
out).
This week.
这个星期。

Zhège xīngqī.
(lit: this-ge week)
That woman.
那位女士。
Nàwèi nǚshì.
(lit: that-wèi woman)
describing things
As in English, words that describe or modify nouns, ie, adjectives come
before the noun. Usually, the particle de 的 is placed between an adjective
consisting of more than one syllable and the noun.
a big strawberry
很大的草莓
hěn dà de cǎoméi
(lit: very big de strawberry)
expressing time
Verbs in Mandarin don’t change their form according to when an action
takes place, ie, they don’t show tense (for more on verbs see verbs). The
time something takes place can be, instead, conveyed by the use of adverbs
of time (words that modify a verb and indicate time). So to talk about things
in the past, present or future you place an adverb of time – such as ‘a while
ago’ (yǐqián 以前), ‘last year’ (qùnián 去年), ‘now’ (xiànzài 现在),
‘tomorrow’ (míngtiān 明天) or ‘(this) morning’ (zǎoshàng 早上) – before
the verb to specify when the action took place.
Tomorrow I’m going to Beijing.
我明天去北京。
Wǒ míngtiān qù Běijīng.
(lit: I tomorrow go Beijing)
Now she lives in Beijing.
她现在住在北京。
Tā xiànzài zhù zài Běijīng.

(lit: she now live in Beijing)
In the morning I didn’t eat anything.
我早上什么也没吃。
Wǒ zǎoshàng shénme yě méi chī.
(lit: I morning anything not eat)
past tense alternative forms
The particle le 了 can be added to a verb to indicate that an action has been
completed. In many cases this is just like the past tense in English.
He has gone to Shanghai.
他去了上海。
Tā qùle Shànghǎi.
(lit: he go-le Shanghai)
For things that have happened some time in the unspecified past, the
particle guò 过 is used.
He’s been to Taiwan.
他去过台湾。
Tā qùguò Táiwān.
(lit: he go-guò Taiwan)
future tense alternative forms
The verb yào 要 ‘want’, when placed before a verb, can be used to indicate
the future. If you’re less than certain as to what you’ll do tomorrow, yào can
be replaced with xiǎng 想 ‘feel like’ or dǎsuàn 打算 ‘plan to’ to indicate
future events.
I’m going to Hong Kong.
我要去香港。
Wǒ yào qù Xiānggǎng.
(lit: I want go Hong-Kong)
I feel like going to Hong Kong.
我想去香港。
Wǒ xiǎng qù Xiānggǎng.

(lit: I feel-like go Hong-Kong)
I’m planning to go to Hong Kong.
我打算去香港。
Wǒ dǎsuàn qù Xiānggǎng.
(lit: I plan-to go Hong-Kong)
have
To say that you have something in Mandarin, you use the word yǒu 有.
I have a ticket.
我有票。
Wǒ yǒu piào.
(lit: I have ticket)
To say that you don’t have something just place the particle méi 没 ‘not’
before yǒu.
I don’t have a ticket.
我没有票。
Wǒ méiyǒu piào.
(lit: I not-have ticket)
joining words
To connect two words or phrases, place a joining word (or conjuction)
between the two elements. The most common conjunctions are ‘and’ hé 和
and ‘or’ háishì 还是.
I like rice and noodles.
我喜欢米饭和面条。
Wǒ xǐhuān mǐfàn hé miàntiáo.
(lit: I like rice and noodle)
Are you American or English?
你是美国人还是英国人？
Nǐ shì Měiguó rén háishì Yīngguó rén?
(lit: you are America person or England person)

location
Location is indicated by the word zài 在, which literally means ‘is located’.
The word zài is used with almost all prepositions of place (words such as
‘opposite’ or ‘behind’ which indicate a spatial relationship). Note that zài
comes before, but not necessarily in front of, the preposition in the
sentence.
The bank is opposite the hotel.
银行在酒店对面。
Yínháng zài jiǔdiàn duìmiàn.
(lit: bank is-located hotel opposite)
You’re sitting behind me.
你坐在我的后边。
Nǐ zuò zài wǒde hòubian.
(lit: you sit is-located my behind)
need
The verb ‘need’ is expressed by the compound word xūyào 需要, which
includes the word yào 要 ‘to want’.
I need to go to the toilet.
我需要上厕所。
Wǒ xūyào shàng cèsuǒ.
(lit: I need mount toilet)
As with all negatives, to say you don’t need something, just place bù 不
‘not’ before xūyào.
I don’t need money.
我不需要钱。
Wǒ bù xūyào qián.
(lit: I not-need money)

negatives
To form negative sentences in Mandarin, you place the particle bù 不 ‘not’
before the verb or adjective that you wish to negate. (Note that when bù
appears before a word with the same tone, it changes to a rising tone).
I’m not hungry.
我不饿。
Wǒ bù è.
(lit: I not hungry)
It‘s not OK.
不行。
Bù xíng.
(lit: not passable)
The particle méi 没 is used instead of bù to make a negative out of the word
‘have’ and also when the sentence refers to past events. Here méi can be
thought of as the equivalent of the English ‘haven’t’.
I haven’t eaten lunch.
我没吃午饭。
Wǒ méi chī wǔfàn.
(lit: I méi eat lunch)
nouns

Nouns are usually made up of two words (characters) called compounds.
Nouns have only one fixed form and they don’t show gender (masculine,
feminine etc) or number (singular or plural).
lunch/lunches
午饭
wǔfàn
(lit: noon-rice)
particles
Mandarin makes use of a number of particles. These are ‘function words’
which don’t necessarily have a definable meaning of their own but serve a
grammatical function within a sentence. The particle le 了, for example,
when attached to a verb indicates that an action has been completed.
pointing things out

To point things out in Mandarin you can use the following expressions
known as demonstrative pronouns.
that 那 nà
this 这 zhè
These can be combined with the generic classifier ge to give the following
expressions:
that one 那个 nàge

this one 这个 zhège
possession
To show possession, simply add de 的 to a personal pronoun, then follow it
with the object or person that’s possessed.
my passport

我的护照
wǒde hùzhào
(lit: I-de passport)
your child
你的孩子
nǐde háizi
(lit: you-de child)
1st person (sg) my 我的 wǒde

2nd person (sg) your(s) 你的 nǐde
3rd person (sg) his/her(s)/its 他的/她的/它的 tāde
1st person (pl) our(s) 我们的 wǒmende
2nd person (pl) your(s) 你们的 nǐmende
3rd person (pl) their(s) 他们的 tāmende
For other personal pronouns, see pronouns.
prepositions see time and location
pronouns
Pronouns in Mandarin don’t change their form according to whether they
are the subject (performer of the action, eg ‘I’) or object (undergoer of the
action, eg ‘me’) of a sentence. Note that whilst ‘he/him’, ‘she/her’ and ‘it’
are represented by different characters they are pronounced in exactly the
same way.
1st person (sg) I/me 我 wǒ

2nd person (sg) you 你 nǐ
3rd person (sg) he/him 他
3rd person (sg) she/her 她 tā
3rd person (sg) it 它
1st person (pl) we/us 我们 wǒmen
2nd person (pl) you (pl) 你们 nǐmen
3rd person (pl) they/them 他们 tāmen
You’ll notice that plural pronouns are formed with the simple addition of
men 们 to the singular forms.
questions
The most common way of forming questions in Mandarin is simply to put
the particle ma 吗 at the end of a statement.
He’s going to see the Great Wall.
他要去长城。
Tā yào qù Chángchéng.
(lit: he going Great-Wall)
Is he going to see the Great Wall?
他要去长城吗？
Tā yào qù Chángchéng ma?
(lit: he going Great-Wall ma)
question words
who 谁 shéi
Who are you? 你是谁？ Nǐ shì shéi?

which 哪个 nǎge
Which place? 哪个地方？ Nǎge dìfang?
what 什么 shénme
What’s this? 这是什么？ Zhè shì shénme?
where 哪儿 nǎr
Where’s he going? 他去哪儿？ Tā qù nǎr?
how 怎么 zěnme
How do I get there? 怎么走？ Zěnme zǒu?
when 什么时候 shénme shíhòu
When do you go? 你什么时候走？ Nǐ shénme shíhòu zǒu?
time
A time relationship between a noun and another word in the sentence is
reflected by the use of prepostions of time.
I watched the television before eating.
我吃饭前看了电视。
Wǒ chī fàn qián kànle diànshì.
(lit: I ate-rice before (that I) watch-le television)
after 后 hòu
before 前 qián
until 到 dào
verbs

One delightfully simple aspect of Mandarin grammar is that verbs have
fixed forms. This means that they don’t change their form according to who
or what is the subject (the person or thing perfoming the action of the verb)
as they do in English, eg, ‘I am’ but ‘you are’, ‘he is’ etc. Only one form of
each verb exists so there’s no need to memorise long lists of varying verb
forms as you may have had to do when learning other languages. To see
how this works, look at the table for the verb chī 吃 ‘eat’.
I eat a meal. 我吃饭。 Wǒ chī fàn.

You (sg) eat a meal. 你吃饭。 Nǐ chī fàn.
He/She/It eats a meal. 他/她/它吃饭。 Tā chī fàn.
We eat a meal. 我们吃饭。 Wǒmen chī fàn.
You (pl) eat a meal. 你们吃饭。 Nǐmen chī fàn.
They eat a meal. 他们吃饭。 Tāmen chī fàn.
Not only do Mandarin verbs not change according to who or what is

performing the action of the verb, but they also remain fixed regardless of
when the action took place, ie they don’t change according to tense.
Of course, no language can get by without having some way of
expressing when an action takes place. See, expressing time, for an
explanation of the devices Mandarin uses.
want
The verb ‘to want’ is expressed in Mandarin with the verb xiǎng 想.
I want to eat.
我想吃。
Wǒ xiǎng chī.
(lit: I want eat)

As with all negatives, to say you don’t want something, just place the
negative particle bù ‘not’ before xiǎng.
I don’t want to eat.
我不想吃。
Wǒ bù xiǎng chī.
(lit: I not want eat)
word order
Word order of basic sentences in Mandarin is the same as in English, ie
subject–verb–object. This means that sentences are formed in the same
order as in English – with the person or thing that performs the action of the
verb coming first, followed by the verb, followed by the undergoer of the
action as in the phrase below:
I eat a meal.
我吃饭。
Wǒ chī fàn.
(lit: I eat rice)
yes & no
Mandarin doesn’t have words that correspond directly to ‘yes’ and ‘no’
when used in isolation. To answer a question in the affirmative, you simply
repeat the verb used in the question. To answer a question in the negative,
place the negative particle bù 不 ‘not’ before the repeated verb. The particle
ma 吗 is a question marker (see questions for an explanation).
Are you hungry?
你饿吗？
Nǐ è ma?
(lit: you hungry ma)

Yes.
饿。
È.
(lit: hungry)
No.
不饿。
Bù è.
(lit: not hungry)
You’re likely to hear the word duì 对 as an equivalent to ‘yes’ as well. It

literally means ‘correct’. In the negative, this becomes bù duì 不对 (‘not
correct’).
Are you leaving tomorrow?
你明天走吗？
Nǐ míngtiān zǒu ma?
(lit: you tomorrow leave ma)
Yes, I am.
对,明天走。
Duì, míngtiān zǒu.
(lit: correct tomorrow leave)
No, I’m leaving today.
不(对)，我今天走。
Bù (duì), wǒ jīntiān zǒu.
(lit: not correct, I today leave)

language difficulties
语言障碍
Do you speak English?

你会说英文吗？
Nǐ huìshuō Yīngwén ma?
Does anyone speak English?

有谁会说英文吗？
Yǒu shéi huìshuō Yīngwén ma?
Do you understand?
你明白吗？
Nǐ míngbai ma?
I understand.
明白。
Míngbai.
I don’t understand.
我不明白。
Wǒ bù míngbai.
I speak a little.

我会说一点。
Wǒ huìshuō yīdiǎn.
Could you write that in Pinyin for me?
请用拼音写。
Qǐng yòng Pīnyīn xiě.
Could you write that down for me (in Chinese characters)?
请用中文写下来。
Qǐng yòng Zhōngwén xiěxiàlái.
Please point to the phrase in this book.

请指出书上的范句。
Qǐng zhǐchū shūshàng de fànjù.
What does (this) mean?
(这个)是什么意思？
(Zhège) shì shénme yìsi?
How do you pronounce this?

怎么念这个?
Zěnme niàn zhège?
How do you write ‘panda’?

怎么写“熊猫”?
Zěnme xiě xióng māo?
Could you please repeat that?

请你再说一遍?
Qǐng nǐ zài shuō yībiàn?
Could you please speak more slowly?

请你慢一点说?
Qǐng nǐ màn yīdiǎn shuō?
Could you please write it down?

可以请你写下来吗?
Kěyǐ Qǐng yòng Zhōngwén xiěxiàlái ma?
tone deaf
Mandarin is a tonal language (for an explanation, see tones in
pronunciation). While this fact can sometimes cause humiliation for the
foreign visitor to China, it’s also a rich source of mirth for Chinese people
who happen upon outsiders. For example, foreign diplomats (wàijiāoguān
外交官) habitually introduce themselves in Mandarin as wāijiāoguǎn 歪胶
管 (lit: ‘rubber U-bend pipes’).
Fortunately, foreigners are not the butt-end of all Mandarin
pronunciation jokes. Southerners, particularly Cantonese speakers, are
notorious in Beijing and other bastions of ‘correct’ Chinese for getting
their sibilants (‘hissing’ sounds such as ‘s’, ‘sh’ and ‘z’) all mixed up. A
bunch of tongue twisters exist to weed out Southern pretenders, such as the
following:
Forty-four stone lions are dead.
四十四只石狮子是死的。
sìshísì zhī shíshīzǐ shì sǐde

numbers & amounts
数字与数量
cardinal numbers
ordinal numbers
fractions
classifiers
amounts
cardinal numbers
基数
Numbers in Mandarin are easy to learn. Multiples of 10 are made by stating

the multiple followed by 10 – so 20 is literally ‘two ten’. Two is a tricky
number, generally pronounced èr unless it’s joined with a classifier, in
which case it will be pronounced liǎng (see classifiers).
0
零
líng
1
一
yī
2
二
èr

3
三
sān
4
四
sì
5
五
wǔ
6
六
liù
7
七
qī

八
bā
9
九
jiǔ
10
十
shí
11
十一
shíyī
12
十二
shí’èr
13
十三
shísān
14
十四
shísì
15
十五
shíwǔ

16
十六
shíliù
17
十七
shíqī
18
十八
shíbā
19
十九
shíjiǔ
20
二十
èrshí
21
二十一
èrshíyī
22
二十二
èrshí’èr
30
三十
sānshí
40
四十

sìshí
50
五十
wǔshí
60
六十
liùshí
70
七十
qīshí
80
八十
bāshí
90
九十
jiǔshí

100
一百
yībǎi
101
一百零一
yībǎi língyī
103
一百零三
yībǎi língsān
113
一百一十三
yībǎi yīshísān
122
一百二十二
yībǎi èrshí’èr
200
两百
liǎngbǎi
1,000
一千
yīqiān
10,000
一万
yīwàn
1,000,000
一百万

yībǎiwàn
100,000,000
一亿
yīyì
ordinal numbers
序数
1st
第一
dìyī
2nd
第二
dì’èr
3rd
第三
dìsān
4th
第四
dìsì
5th
第五
dìwǔ
fractions
百分比
a quarter

四分之一
sìfēnzhīyī
a third
三分之一
sānfēnzhīyī
a half
一半
yībàn
three-quarters
四分之三
sìfēnzhīsān
all
所有
suǒyǒu
none
没有
méiyǒu
classifiers
量词
These are the most commonly used classifiers or ‘counters’ which are used
when counting things. For an explanation of how they work, see the
phrasebuilder.
generic classifier
个
gè
flat things (tickets, stamps etc)
张
zhāng
long things (fish, snakes, rivers etc)

条
tiáo
people
位
wèi
nondescript animals (dogs, chickens etc)
只
zhī
big things (mountains, buildings, etc)
座
zuò
amounts
常用数量
China has a complete set of words for imperial weights and measures. In
mainland China (though not in Hong Kong or Taiwan) these have all been
recast in metric mould, so that foreign visitors are at most required to
multiply by two to yield a standard international metric measure.

Finger counting is widely used in China in conjunction with the spoken
number when shopping or bargaining. There are a few regional variations
but you should be able to get the hang of it pretty quickly.
How much?
多少？
Duōshǎo?
How many?
几个？
Jǐge?
Please give me …
请给我……
Qǐng gěi wǒ …

(50) grams
(50)克
(wǔshí) kè
1 Chinese ounce (=50 grams)
1两
yīliǎng
1 Chinese pound (=half a kilo)
1斤
yījīn
a bottle
一瓶
yīpíng
a dozen
一打
yīdá
a few
一些
yīxiē
a jar
一罐
yīguàn
a kilo
1公斤
yìgōngjīn
less
少一点
shǎoyīdiǎn
a little
一小块
yīxiǎokuài
a lot

好多
hǎoduō
many
许多
xǔduō
more
多一些
duōyīxiē
a packet
一盒
yīhé
a slice
一块
yīkuài
some
一些
yīxiē
a tin
一听
yītīng

time & dates
时间与日期
telling the time

the calendar
present
past
future
during the day
telling the time

说时间
Telling the time in Mandarin is simple. To express a time on the hour

simply give the hour followed by diǎn 点 ‘point’ and zhōng 钟 ‘clock’. For
all other times, give the hour followed by diǎn 点 and then the number of
minutes past the hour followed by the word fēn 分 ‘minutes’. For example,
the literal translation of ‘five past ten’ is ‘ten points five minutes’.
What time is it?
现在几点钟？
Xiànzài jǐdiǎn zhōng?
It’s (one) o’clock.

(一)点钟。
(Yī)diǎn zhōng.

Five past (ten).
(十)点五分。
(Shí)diǎn wǔfēn.
Quarter past (ten).
(十)点十五分。
(Shí)diǎn shíwǔfēn.
Half past (ten).
(十)点三十分。
(Shí)diǎn sānshífēn.
Twenty to (eleven).
(十)点四十分。
(Shí)diǎn sìshífēn.
Quarter to (eleven).
(十)点四十五分。
(Shí)diǎn sìshíwǔfēn.
am
早上
zǎoshàng
pm
晚上
wǎnshàng
At what time (does it start)?
什么时候(开始)?
Shénme shíhòu (kāishǐ)?
(It starts) At ten.
十点钟(开始)。
Shídiǎn zhōng (kāishǐ).
It starts at (9:57 pm).
(晚上9点57分)开始。
(Wǎnshàng jiǔdiǎn wǔshíqīfēn) kāishǐ.

the calendar
日历
days
The days of the week follow a simple pattern in Mandarin. The word
‘week’ (xīngqī 星期) comes first followed by numbers one to six (starting
with Monday). Sunday is the ‘day of heaven’ – the day of worship in the
Western world from which the seven-day week was introduced.
Monday
星期一
xīngqī yī
Tuesday
星期二
xīngqī èr
Wednesday
星期三
xīngqī sān
Thursday
星期四
xīngqī sì

Friday
星期五
xīngqī wǔ
Saturday
星期六
xīngqī liù
Sunday
星期天
xīngqī tiān
months
As with numbers, the months in Mandarin follow a system of pure logic.
The word ‘month’ (yuè 月) is prefaced with numbers one to twelve starting
with January. The Western-style calendar was only imported to China some
200 years ago and, as the new calendar was felt to be foreign enough,
further complicated linguistic terms were thought best avoided.
January
一月
yīyuè
February
二月
èryuè

March
三月
sānyuè
April
四月
sìyuè
May
五月
wǔyuè
June
六月
liùyuè
July
七月
qīyuè
August

八月
bāyuè
September
九月
jiǔyuè
October
十月
shíyuè
November
十一月
shíyīyuè
December
十二月
shí’èryuè
dates
What date is it today?
今天几号？
Jīntiān jǐhào?

It’s (18 October).
(十月十八号)。
(Shíyuè shíbā hào).
seasons
spring
春天
chūntiān
summer
夏天
xiàtiān
autumn
秋天
qiūtiān
winter
冬天
dōngtiān

present
目前时态
now
现在
xiànzài
this …
这个……
zhège …
afternoon
下午
xiàwǔ
month
月
yuè
morning (after breakfast)
早上
zǎoshàng
morning (before lunch)
上午
shàngwǔ
week
星期
xīngqī
this year
今年
jīnnián
today

今天
jīntiān
tonight
今天晚上
jīntiān wǎnshàng
past
过去时间
(three days) ago

(三天)以前
(sāntiān) yǐqián
day before yesterday
前天
qiántiān
last night
昨天晚上
zuótiān wǎnshàng
last week
上星期
shàng xīngqī
last month

上个月
shàngge yuè
last year
去年
qùnián
since (May)
从(五月)以来
cóng (wǔyuè) yǐlái
yesterday …
昨天……
zuótiān …
afternoon
下午
xiàwǔ
evening (after dinner)
晚上
wǎnshàng
早上
zǎoshàng
上午
shàngwǔ

future
将来时
day after tomorrow

后天
hòutiān
in (six days)
(六天)以后
(liùtiān) yǐhòu
next week
下星期
xià xīngqī
next month
下个月
xiàge yuè
next year
明年
míngnián
tomorrow …
明天……

míngtiān …
afternoon
下午
xiàwǔ
晚上
wǎnshàng
早上
zǎoshàng
上午
shàngwǔ
until (June)
到(六月)为止
dào (liùyuè) wéizhǐ
during the day

从早到晚
Time during the day is divided up slightly differently in Mandarin than it is

in English. In China, eating is one of the most important activities of the
day so significant units of time fall before or after meals.
afternoon
下午
xiàwǔ

dawn (before breakfast)
黎明
límíng
day
白天
báitiān
晚上
wǎnshàng
midday (lunch & siesta time)

中午
zhōngwǔ
night (sleep time)
深夜
shēnyè
early morning (after breakfast)
早上
zǎoshàng
late morning (before lunch)

上午
shàngwǔ
sunrise
日出
rìchū
sunset
日落

rìluò
the tyranny of time

Attitudes towards time and punctuality vary from culture to culture. The
Chinese tend to view punctuality as a virtue and you should find that
people arrive on time for meetings and social events. They may even arrive
a little ahead of time, just to be on the safe side. In business dealings,
punctual attendance at appointments can be interpreted as a sign of
earnestness.
Another thing to bear in mind when planning events is that the Chinese
are very superstitious when it comes to numbers. When setting a date you
might be wise to check with your Chinese counterparts that the numbers
contained in the proposed date are favourable. The number four (sì 四), in
particular, is considered unlucky as it sounds like the word for ‘death’ (sǐ
死).

money
金钱
How much is it?

多少钱？
Duōshǎo qián?
Please write down the price.
请把价钱写下来。
Qǐng bǎ jiàqián xiě xiàlái.
Do you accept …?
你们收……吗？
Nǐmen shōu … ma?
credit cards
信用卡
xìnyòng kǎ
debit cards
借记卡
jièjìkǎ
travellers cheques
旅行支票
lǚxíng zhīpiào
I’d like …, please.
可以……吗？
Kěyǐ … ma?
my change
找零
zhǎo líng
a refund
退款
tuì kuǎn

to return this
退换这个
tuìhuàn zhège
I’d like to …
我要……
Wǒ yào …
cash a cheque
兑现一张支票
duìxiàn yīzhāng zhīpiào
change a travellers cheque
换旅行支票
huàn lǚxíng zhīpiào
change money
换钱
huànqián
get a cash advance
现金透支
xiànjīn tòuzhī
withdraw money
取现金
qǔ xiànjīn
Where’s …?
……在哪儿？
… zài nǎr?
an ATM
自动取款机
Zìdòng qǔkuǎnjī

a place to change foreign money
换外币的地方
Huàn wàibì de dìfang
What’s the …?
……是多少？
… shì duōshǎo?
charge for that
手续费
Shǒuxùfèi
exchange rate
兑换率
Duìhuànlǜ
It’s …
是……
Shì …
(1200) RMB
(1,200)元
(yīqiān liǎngbǎi) yuán
free
免费的
miǎnfèi de
Chinese cash
RMB (Renminbi rénmínbì) – ‘People’s Money’ – the official term for the
Chinese currency
yuan – the official name for the basic unit of RMB
元
yuán
kuai – commonly used colloquial term for a yuan
块
kuài
jiao – the official term; 10 jiao make up one yuan

角
jiǎo
mao – commonly used colloquial term for a jiao
毛
máo
fen – the official term; 10 fen make up one jiao
分
fēn

PRACTICAL > transport
交通
getting around
tickets
luggage
plane
bus & coach
subway & train
boat
hire car & taxi
bicycle
local transport
getting around
找路
Which … goes to (Hangzhou)?

到(杭州)坐什么……？
Dào (Hángzhōu) zùo shénme … ?
boat
船
chuán
bus
车
chē
plane

飞机
fēijī
train
火车
huǒchē
Is this the … to (Hangzhou)?
这个……到(杭州)去吗？
Zhège … dào (Hángzhōu) qù ma?
boat
船
chuán
bus
车
chē
train
火车
huǒchē
When’s the first (bus)?

首趟(车)几点走?
Shǒutàng (chē) jǐdiǎn zǒu?
When’s the last (bus)?

末趟(车)几点走?
Mòtàng (chē) jǐdiǎn zǒu?

When’s the next (bus)?
下一趟(车)几点走?
Xià yītàng (chē) jǐdiǎn zǒu?
What time does it leave?

几点钟出发？
Jǐdiǎnzhōng chūfā?
What time does it get to (Hangzhou)?
几点钟到(杭州)？
Jǐdiǎnzhōng dào (Hángzhōu)?
How long will it be delayed?
推迟多久？
Tuīchí duōjiǔ?
Is this seat available?

这儿有人坐吗？
Zhèr yǒurén zùo ma?
That’s my seat.
那是我的座位。
Nà shì wǒde zùowèi.

Please tell me when we get to …
到了……请叫我, 好吗？
Dàole … qǐng jiào wǒ, hǎoma?
I want to get off here.

我想这儿下车。
Wǒ xiǎng zhèr xiàchē.
How long do we stop here?
在这里停多久？
Zài zhèlǐ tíng duōjiǔ?
tickets
买票
On Chinese trains there are no classes, instead the options are: hard seat
(yìngzuò 硬座) or soft seat (ruǎnzuò 软座) and hard sleeper (yìngwò 硬卧)
or soft sleeper (ruǎnwò 软卧). Classes do exist on long-distance boat
services in China.

Where can I buy a ticket?
哪里买票？
Nǎli mǎi piào?
Do I need to book a seat?

要先订票吗？
Yào xiān dìngpiào ma?
A … ticket to (Dalian).
一张到(大连)的……票。
Yīzhāng dào (Dàlián) de … piào.
1st-class
头等
tóuděng
2nd-class
二等
èrděng
3rd-class
三等
sānděng
child’s
儿童
értóng
one-way
单程
dānchéng
return
双程
shuāngchéng

student
学生
xuéshēng
I want to travel by … train.

我想坐……车。
Wǒxiǎng zuò … chē.
direct
直达
zhídá
express
特快
tèkuài
fast
快
kuài
slow
慢
màn
local
普通
pǔtōng
I’d like a … ticket.
我想买……票。
Wǒxiǎng mǎi … piào.
hard-seat
硬座
yìngzuò

soft-seat
软座
ruǎnzuò
when push comes to shove

Buying tickets in China can be something of a nightmare for foreigners.
Seemingly interminable queues snake towards small ticket windows. The
Western etiquette of not pushing or cutting in simply doesn’t apply. One
approach to overcoming these difficulties might be to find someone who
wants to practice English to help you. Ask around with these phrases:
Do you speak English?
你会说英文吗？
Nǐ huìshuō Yīngwén ma?
Does anyone speak English?
有谁会说英文吗？
Yǒu shéi huìshuō Yīngwén ma?
Your potential helper may be able to cut to the front of the queue in
effortless Chinese style to purchase your ticket for you.
To make things even easier, you could bring a slip of paper, prepared in
advance, with your ticket details written down in Mandarin script to post
through the ticket window. Use these phrases to help devise your message:
Could you write down the ticket details in Chinese characters for me?
请帮我用中文写车票的详细情况。
Qǐng bāngwǒ yòng zhōngwén xiě chēpiào de xiángxì qíngkuàng.
Could you write down (Dalian) in Chinese characters?
请帮我用中文写下(大连)。
Qǐng bāngwǒ yòng zhōngwén xiěxià (Dàlián).

Armed with such a slip of paper, you should be assured of obtaining your
ticket to ride as long as you can fight your way to the front of the queue.
I’d like a … berth.

我想坐……
Wǒ xiǎng zuò …
hard-sleeper
硬卧
yìngwò
soft-sleeper
软卧
ruǎnwò
I’d like a/an … berth.
我想睡……
Wǒ xiǎng shuì …
bottom
下铺
xiàpù
middle
中铺
zhōngpù
upper
上铺
shàngpù
I’d like a/an … seat.
我想要……的座位。
Wǒ xiǎngyào … de zuòwèi.
aisle
(靠）走廊
(kào) zǒuláng
(non)smoking
(不)吸烟

(bù) xīyān
window
(靠）窗户
(kào) chuānghu
Is there (a) …?
有……吗？
Yǒu … ma?
air-conditioning
空调
kōngtiáo
blanket
毛毯
máotǎn
sick bag
呕吐袋
ǒutù dài
toilet
厕所
cèsuǒ
I’d like to cancel my ticket.
我想退票。
Wǒ xiǎng tuì piào.
I’d like to change my ticket.

我想改票。
Wǒ xiǎng gǎi piào.
How much is it?

多少钱？

Duōshǎo qián?
How much is a (soft-seat) fare to …?
到……的(软座票)多少钱？
Dào … de (ruǎnzuò piào) duōshǎo qián?
How long does the trip take?
几个小时到站？
Jǐge xiǎoshí dàozhàn?
Is it a direct route?
是直达的吗？
Shì zhídáde ma?
Can I get a stand-by ticket?

能买站台票吗？
Néng mǎi zhàntái piào ma?
What time should I check in?
什么时候检票？
Shénme shíhou jiǎnpiào?
listen for …
cancelled
取消
qǔxiāo
this one/that one
这个/那个
zhège/nàge
platform
站台
zhàntái

travel agent
旅行社
lǚxíng shè
full
满
mǎn
ticket window
售票窗
shòupiào chuāng
timetable
时刻表
shíkè biǎo
delayed
晚点
wǎndiǎn
luggage
行李
Where can I find …?

……在哪里？
… zài nǎli?
the baggage claim
取行李
Qǔ xíngli
the left-luggage office
行李寄存处
Xíngli jìcún chù
a luggage locker
行李暂存箱
Xíngli zàncúnxiāng

a trolley
小推车
Xiǎo tuīchē
My luggage has been damaged.

我的行李被摔坏了。
Wǒde xíngli bèi shuāihuài le.
My luggage has been lost.

我的行李丢了。
Wǒde xíngli diū le.
My luggage has been stolen.

我的行李被偷走了。
Wǒde xíngli bèi tōuzǒu le.
That’s (not) mine.

那(不)是我的。
Nà (bù)shì wǒde.
Can I have some coins/tokens?
我想换一些硬币。
Wǒ xiǎng huàn yīxiē yìngbì.
plane
飞机

Where does flight (BJ8) arrive/depart?
(BJ8)飞机在哪里抵达/起飞？
BJ (English pronunciation) bā fēijī zài nǎli dǐdá/qǐfēi?
Where’s …?
……在哪里？
… zài nǎli?
the airport shuttle
机场巴士
Jīchǎng bāshì
arrivals
入境口
Rùjìng kǒu
departures
出境口
Chūjìng kǒu
the duty-free shop
免税店
Miǎnshuì diàn
gate (8)
(8号)登机口
(Bā hào) dēngjī kǒu
listen for …
excess baggage
超重行李
chāozhòng xíngli
carry-on baggage
手提行李
shǒutí xíngli
ticket
行李票

xíngli piào
bus & coach

公共汽车与长途车
How often do buses come?

多久来一班车？
Duōjiǔ lái yībān chē?
Which number bus goes to (Harbin)?
到(哈尔滨)坐几号车？
Dào (Hā’ěrbīn) zuò jǐhào chē?
Does it stop at (Harbin)?
在(哈尔滨)能下车吗？
Zài (Hā’ěrbīn) néng xià chē ma?
What’s the next stop?
下一站是哪里？
Xiàyī zhàn shì nǎli?
I’d like to get off at (Harbin).
我在(哈尔滨)下车。
Wǒ zài (Hā’ěrbīn) xià chē.
Please stop pushing!
不要挤！
Bùyào jǐ!
listen for …
boarding pass
登机牌
dēngjī pái
transit
过境
guòjìng

passport
护照
hùzhào
transfer
转机
zhuǎnjī
city
市内
shìnèi
city bus
市内大巴
shìnèi dàbā
inter-city
长途
chángtú
inter-city bus
长途车
chángtú chē
local
本地
běndì
private-run bus
小巴
xiǎobā
sleeper bus
卧铺长途车
wòpù chángtú chē
subway & train

地铁与火车

Which platform for the … train?
……列火车到几号站台？
… liè huǒchē dào jǐhào zhàntái?
What station is this?
这是哪个站？
Zhè shì nǎge zhàn?
What’s the next station?

下一站是哪里?
Xiàyī zhàn shì nǎli?
Does it stop at (Tianjin)?

在(天津)能下车吗？
Zài (Tiānjīn) néng xià chē ma?
Do I need to change?
需要换车吗？
Xūyào huànchē ma?
Which line goes to …?
到……坐哪条线？
Dào … zuò nǎtiáo xiàn?
How many stops to …?
到……坐几站？
Dào … zuò jǐzhàn?
Is it …?
是……车吗？
Shì … chē ma?
direct
直达
zhítōng

express
特快
tèkuài
Which carriage is (for) …?
……到几号车厢？
… dào jǐhào chēxiāng?
dining
吃饭
Chīfàn
soft sleeper
软卧
Ruǎnwò
boat
船舶
How long is the trip to …?

几个小时到……？
Jǐge xiǎoshí dào …?
Is there a fast boat?
有快艇吗？
Yǒu kuàitǐng ma?
How long will we stop here?
这里停留多久？
Zhèlǐ tíngliú duōjiǔ?
What time should we be back on board?
几点钟再上船？
Jǐdiǎnzhōng zài shàngchuán?
What’s the sea like today?
今天海浪大不大？
Jīntiān hǎilàng dàbùdà?

I feel seasick.
我有点恶心。
Wǒ yǒudiǎn ěxin.
Is/Are there … on the boat?
船上有……吗？
Chuánshàng yǒu … ma?
karaoke
卡拉ＯＫ
kǎlā ōkèi
life jackets
救生衣
jiùshēng yī
a toilet
厕所
cèsuǒ
cabin
船舱
chuáncāng
captain
船长
chuánzhǎng
deck
甲板
jiǎbǎn
ferry
渡船
dùchuán
lifeboat
救生艇
jiùshēng tǐng
life jacket

救生衣
jiùshēng yī
yacht
帆船
fānchuán
hire car & taxi

出租车与车租赁
I’d like a taxi.

我要叫一辆出租车。
Wǒ yào jiào yīliàng chūzū chē.
I’d like a taxi at (9am).

我要叫一辆出租车,(早上9点)出发。
Wǒ yào jiào yīliàng chūzū chē, (zǎoshàng jiǔ diǎn) chūfā
Where to?
到哪里？
Dào nǎli?
(The Great Wall), if that’s OK.
(长城),好吗？
(Chángchéng), hǎo ma?
Where’s the taxi rank?
在哪里打出租车?
Zài nǎli dǎ chūzū chē?
Is this taxi available?
这出租车有人吗？
Zhè chūzū chē yǒurén ma?

How much is it to …?
到……多少钱？
Dào … duōshǎo qián?
Please put the meter on.

请打表。
Qǐng dǎbiǎo.
I’d like to hire a car.

我想租一辆轿车。
Wǒ xiǎng zū yīliàng jiàochē.
I’d like to hire a motorbike.

我想租一辆摩托车。
Wǒ xiǎng zū yīliàng mótuōchē.
How much to hire a car with a driver to …?

包一辆车到……多少钱？
Bāo yīliàng chē dào … duōshǎo qián?
How much for daily hire?
租一天多少钱？
Zū yìtiān duōshǎo qián?

How much for weekly hire?
租一周多少钱？
Zū yīzhōu duōshǎo qián?
That’s too expensive.

那太贵了。
Nà tài guì le.
Is it air-conditioned?
有空调吗？
Yǒu kōngtiáo ma?
Is petrol included?
包括汽油吗？
Bāokuò qìyóu ma?
Are tolls included?
包括路费吗？
Bāokuò lùfèi ma?
Could I have a receipt for the toll?
请给我发票。
Qǐng gěi wǒ fāpiào.
Is this the road to …?
这条路是不是去……？
Zhè tiáo lù shì bu shì qù …?
I need a mechanic.

我需要一个修车师傅。
Wǒ xūyào yígè xiūchē shīfù.
I’ve run out of petrol.

没油了。
Méi yóu le.
I have a flat tyre.

爆胎了。
Bào tāile.
Please take me to (this address).

请带我到(这个地址)。
Qǐng dàiwǒ dào (zhège dìzhǐ).
How much is it (to this address)?

多少钱(到这个地址)？
Duōshǎo qián (dào zhège dìzhǐ)?
Where are we going?
我们到哪儿去？
Wǒmen dào nǎr qù?
Something’s wrong with your meter.
你的表有问题。
Nǐde biǎo yǒuwèntí.
I’ll write down your licence number and report you to the PSB.
我会记下你的车号,打110。
Wǒ huì jìxià nǐde chēhào, dǎ yāo yāo líng.

Please slow down.
请慢点开。
Qǐng màndiǎn kāi.
Please stop here.

请在这儿停。
Qǐng zài zhèr tíng.
Please wait here.

请在这儿等。
Qǐng zài zhèr děng.
bicycle
骑自行车
Bicycles are a great way of getting around Chinese cities or patrolling

tourist sites. In a country with more than 300 million bikes some
organisation is required to prevent cycle chaos. In cities you’ll need to park
your bike at a cúnchēchù 存车处 (bicycle parking lot overseen by an
attendant).
I’d like to hire a bicycle.
我想租一辆自行车
Wǒ xiǎng zū yīliàng zìxíngchē.

I’d like …
我想……
Wǒ xiǎng …
my bicycle repaired
修这辆车
xiū zhèliàng chē
to buy a bicycle
买一辆车
mǎi yīliàng chē
I’d like a … bike.
我要辆……车。
Wǒ yàoliàng … chē.
mountain
山地
shāndì
racing
赛
sài
second-hand
二手
èrshǒu
How much is it per …?
一……多少钱？
Yī … duōshǎo qián?
day
天
tiān
hour
小时

xiǎoshí
Do I have to pay a deposit?
要给押金吗？
Yào gěi yājīn ma?
How much is the deposit?
押金多少？
Yājīn duōshǎo?
I have a puncture.
车胎被戳破了。
Chētāi bèi chūopò le.
Could you pump up my tyres, please?
能帮我打气吗？
Néng bāngwǒ dǎqì ma?
How much to have this repaired?

修这些多少钱？
Xiū zhèxiē duōshǎo qián?
That’s too expensive.
那太贵了。

Nà tài guì le.
Where’s the bicycle parking lot?
存车处在哪儿？
Cúnchēchù zài nǎr?
My bike’s been stolen.
我的自行车被偷走了。
Wǒde zìxíngchē bèi tōu zǒu le.
local transport
本地交通
Are you waiting for more people?

还等人吗？
Háiděng rén ma?
Can you take us around the city, please?
请带我到城里转一圈。
Qǐng dàiwǒ dào chénglǐ zhuàn yī quān.
How many people can ride on this?
车上能坐多少人？
Chēshàng néngzùo duōshǎo rén?

border crossing
过境
border crossing
at customs
border crossing
过境
I’m here on business.

我来出差。
Wǒ lái chūchāi.
I’m here on holiday.

我是度假来的。
Wǒ shì dùjià láide.
I’m here …
我是……来的。
Wǒ shì … láide.
in transit
过境
guòjìng
on a student visa
持学生签证

chí xuéshēng qiānzhèng
I’m here for …
我要住……
Wǒ yào zhù …
(three) days
(三)天
(sān) tiān
(three) months
(三)个月
(sān)ge yuè
(three) weeks
(三)个星期
(sān)ge xīngqī
I’m going to (Beijing).
我到(北京)去。
Wǒ dào (Běijīng) qù.
I’m staying at (the Pujiang Hotel).
我住(浦江宾馆)。
Wǒ zhù (Pǔjiāng Bīnguǎn).
The children are on this passport.
孩子在这个护照上。
Háizi zài zhège hùzhào shàng.
My visa is in order.
我的签证办好了。
Wǒde qiānzhèng bànhǎole.
Do I have to pay extra for that?
这样要加钱吗？
Zhèyàng yào jiāqián ma?
listen for …
visa

签证
qiānzhèng
family
一家
yījiā
passport
护照
hùzhào
group
团体
tuántǐ
at customs
报海关
I have nothing to declare.

我没有东西申报。
Wǒ méiyǒu dōngxi shēnbào.
I have something to declare.

我有东西申报。
Wǒ yǒu dōngxi shēnbào.
Do I have to declare this?

这个要申报吗？
Zhège yào shēnbào ma?
I didn’t know I had to declare it.
我不知道这个要申报。
Wǒ bù zhīdào zhège yào shēnbào.

That’s (not) mine.
那(不)是我的。
Nà (bù)shì wǒde.
signs
Customs
海关
hǎiguān
Duty-Free
免税
miǎnshuì
Immigration
入境
rùjìng
Passport Control
护照检查
hùzhào jiǎnchá
Quarantine
检疫
jiǎnyì

directions
问路
Where’s the …?
……在哪儿？
… zài nǎr?
Excuse me, please.

请问。
Qǐngwèn.
How far away is it?
有多远？
Yǒu duō yuǎn?
How do I get there?

我怎么去？
Wǒzěnmeqù?
Can you show me where I am on the map?

请帮我找我在地图上的位置。
Qǐng bāngwǒ zhǎo wǒ zài dìtú shàng de wèizhi.
Can you show me where it is on the map?
请帮我找它在地图上的位置。
Qǐng bāngwǒ zhǎo tā zài dìtú shàng de wèizhi.

listen for …
… minutes
分钟
fēnzhōng
… kilometres
公里
gōngli
… metres
米
mǐ
It’s far.
离这儿远。
Lí zhèr yuǎn.
It’s near.
离这儿不远。
Lí zhèr bù yuǎn.
here
在这儿
zài zhèr
there
那里

nàli
It’s next to …
在……旁边。
Zài … pángbiān.
opposite
对面
duìmiàn
straight ahead
一直往前
yīzhí wǎngqián
It’s …
在……
Zài …
behind …
……的后面
… de hòumian
in front of …
……的前面
… de qiánmian
on the corner
拐角
guǎijiǎo

Turn at the corner.
在拐角拐。
Zài guǎijiǎo guǎi.
Turn at the traffic lights.

在红绿灯处拐。
Zài hónglǜdēng chù guǎi.
Turn at the intersection.

在十字路口拐弯。
Zài shízì lùkǒu guǎiwān.
Turn left.
往左拐。
Wǎng zuǒ guǎi.
Turn right.
往右拐。
Wǎng yòu guǎi.
by bus
坐车去
zuòchē qù
by subway
坐地铁去
zuò dìtiě qù

by taxi
打车去
dǎchē qù
by train
坐火车去
zuò huǒchē qù
on foot
走路去
zǒulù qù
north
北
běi
south
南
nán
east
东
dōng

west
西
xī

accommodation
住宿
finding accommodation
booking ahead & checking in
requests & queries
complaints
checking out
camping
renting
staying with locals
finding accommodation
找住店
Where’s a guesthouse?
哪里有宾馆?
Nǎli yǒu bīnguǎn?
Where’s a hotel?
哪里有酒店?
Nǎli yǒu jiǔdiàn?
Where’s a youth hostel?

哪里有青年旅馆?

Nǎli yǒu qīngnían lǚguǎn?
Where’s a camping ground?

哪里可以扎营?
Nǎli kěyǐ zhāyíng?
Can you recommend somewhere cheap?

你能推荐一个便宜的地方住吗？
Nǐ néng tuījiàn yīge piányi de dìfang zhù ma?
Can you recommend somewhere luxurious?

你能推荐一个豪华的地方住吗？
Nǐ néng tuījiàn yīge háohuá de dìfang zhù ma?
Can you recommend somewhere nearby?

你能推荐一个比较近的地方住吗？
Nǐ néng tuījiàn yīge bǐjiào jìn de dìfang zhù ma?
What’s the address?

什么地址?
Shénme dìzhǐ?
Can you please show me on the map where it is?

请帮我找它在地图上的位置。

Qǐng bāngwǒ zhǎo tā zài dìtú shàng de wèizhi.
For responses, see directions.
local talk
dive
烂小屋
làn xiǎowū
rat-infested
老鼠窝
lǎoshǔ wō
top spot
好地方
hǎo dìfang
booking ahead & checking in

定房与登记
Can foreigners stay here?

外国人能住这里吗？
Wàiguó rén néng zhù zhèlǐ ma?
I’ll arrange it with the PSB.
我到派出所跟他们协商。
Wǒ dào pàichūsuǒ gēn tāmen xiéshāng.
I’d like to book a room, please.
我想订房间。
Wǒ xiǎng dìng fángjiān.
I have a reservation.
我有预订。
Wǒ yǒu yùdìng.

My name’s …
我叫……
Wǒ jiào …
listen for …
passport
护照
hùzhào
How many nights?
住几天?
Zhù jǐtiān?
full
住满
zhùmǎn
For (three) nights.
住(三)天。
Zhù (sān) tiān.
For (three) weeks.
住(三)个星期。
Zhù (sān)ge xīngqī.
From (2 July) to (6 July).
从(7月2号)到(7月6号)。
Cóng (qīyuè èrhào) dào (qīyuè liùhào).
Do I need to pay upfront?
预先付钱吗？
Yùxiān fù qián ma?
How much is it per night?
每天多少钱？
Měi tiān duōshǎo qián?

How much is it per person?
每人多少钱？
Měi rén duōshǎo qián?
How much is it per week?

每星期多少钱？
Měi xīngqī duōshǎo qián?
Can I pay by …?
能用……付帐吗？
Néngyòng … fùzhàng ma?
credit card
信用卡
xìnyòng kǎ
travellers cheque
旅行支票
lǚxíng zhīpiào
For other methods of payment, see money.
Do you have a single room?

有没有单人房？
Yǒuméiyǒu dānrén fáng?

Do you have a double (suite) room?
有没有单床双人房？
Yǒuméiyǒu dānchuáng shuāngrén fáng?
Do you have a twin room?

有没有双床双人房？
Yǒuméiyǒu shuāngchuáng shuāngrén fáng?
Do you have a room with a bathroom?

有带浴室的房间吗？
Yǒu dài yùshì de fángjiān ma?
Do you give student discounts?
学生可以打折吗?
Xuéshēng kěyǐ dǎzhé ma?
Can I see it?
能看房间吗？
Néng kàn fángjiān ma?
I’ll take it.
我订这间。
Wǒ dìng zhèjiān.
signs
bathroom
浴室
yù shì
entry
入口
rù kǒu
exit

出口
chū kǒu
female
女
nǚ
male
男
nán
requests & queries

请求与疑问
When is breakfast served?

几点钟吃早饭?
Jǐdiǎn zhōng chī zǎofàn?
Where is breakfast served?

在哪里吃早饭?
Zài nǎli chī zǎofàn?
Please wake me at (7am).

(早上七点钟)请叫醒我。
(Zǎoshàng qīdiǎnzhōng) qǐng jiàoxǐng wǒ.
Is there hot water all day?

全天有热水吗？
Quántiān yǒu rèshuǐ ma?
Is there heating?

有暖气吗？
Yǒu nuǎnqì ma?
Is there an elevator?
有没有电梯？
Yǒuméiyǒu diàntī?
Is there a safe?
有没有保险箱？
Yǒuméiyǒu bǎoxiǎn xiāng?
What times does the … come on?

……几点钟开？
… jǐdiǎnzhōng kāi?
heating
暖气
Nuǎnqì
hot water
热水
Rèshuǐ
Can I use the …?
能用一下……吗？
Néng yòng yī xià … ma?
kitchen
厨房
chúfáng
laundry
洗衣房
xǐyīfáng
telephone

电话
diànhuà
Do you have a/an …?
有没有……？
Yǒuméiyǒu …?
laundry service
洗衣服务
xǐyī fúwù
message board
信息栏
xìnxī lán
swimming pool
游泳池
yǒuyǒng chí
Do you … here?
你们能……吗？
Nǐmen néng … ma?
arrange tours
安排旅行团
ānpái lǚxíng tuán
change money
换钱
huànqián
Could I have …, please?
能不能给我……？
Néngbùnéng gěi wǒ …?
an extra blanket
多一条毛毯
duō yītiáo máotǎn
my key
房间钥匙

fángjiān yàoshi
a mosquito net
一顶蚊帐
yīdǐng wénzhàng
a receipt
发票
fāpiào
some soap
一块肥皂
yīkuài féizào
a towel
一块毛巾
yīkuài máojīn
Is there a message for me?
有人给我留言吗？
Yǒu rén gěi wǒ liúyán ma?
Can I leave a message for someone?
我能留个条吗？
Wǒ néng liú ge tiáo ma?
I’m locked out of my room.
我进不了房间。
Wǒ jìnbùliǎo fángjiān.
listen for …
reception
前台
qiántái

key
钥匙
yàoshi
complaints
投诉
The room’s too …

房间太……了。
Fángjiān tài … le.
bright
亮
liàng
cold
冷
lěng
dark
暗
àn
expensive
贵
guì
noisy
吵
chǎo
small
小
xiǎo
The air-conditioning doesn’t work.
空调有毛病。
Kōngtiáo yǒu máobìng.

The fan doesn’t work.
电风扇有毛病。
Diànfēngshàn yǒu máobìng.
The toilet doesn’t work.

厕所有毛病。
Cèsuǒ yǒu máobìng.
The … doesn’t work.

……有毛病。
… yǒu máobìng.
light
电灯
Diàndēng
shower
淋浴头
Línyù tóu
tap (faucet)
水龙头
Shuǐlóngtóu
I saw … in my room.
我房间里有……
Wǒ fángjiānlǐ yǒu …
a big rat
一个大老鼠
yīge dà lǎoshǔ

cockroaches
蟑螂
zhāngláng
mice
耗子
hàozi
Can I get an extra (blanket)?
我能多拿一条(毛毯)吗？
Wǒ néng duōná yītiáo (máotǎn) ma?
This (pillow) isn’t clean.
这个(枕头)有点脏。
Zhège (zhěntou) yǒudiǎn zāng.
a knock at the door …

Who is it?
是谁？
Shì shéi?
Just a moment.
等一下。
Děng yī xià.
Come in.
请进。
Qǐng jìn.
Come back later, please.
请过一会儿再来。
Qǐng guòyīhuìr zài lái.
checking out
退房
What time is checkout?

几点钟退房？
Jǐdiǎnzhōng tuìfáng?
Can I have a late checkout?

我能晚点退房吗？
Wǒ néng wǎndiǎn tuìfáng ma?
Can you call a taxi for me (for 11am)?
请帮我订一辆(早上十一点的)车。
Qǐng bāng wǒ dìng yīliàng (zǎoshàng shíyīdiǎn de) chē.
I’m leaving now.
我现在走了。
Wǒ xiànzài zǒu le.
Can I leave my luggage here?
能放一下行李吗？
Néng fàngyīxià xíngli ma?
There’s a mistake in the bill.

帐单上有问题。
Zhàngdān shàng yǒu wèntí.
What’s that charge for?

这项是什么？
Zhè xiàng shì shénme?

Could I have my deposit back, please?
请退我押金。
Qǐng tuì wǒ yājīn.
I had a great stay, thank you.
我在这儿住得很开心,谢谢。
Wǒ zài zhèr zhùde hěn kāixīn, xièxie.
I’ll recommend it to my friends.
我会给朋友推荐这个地方。
Wǒ huì gěi péngyou tuījiàn zhège dìfang.
Could I have my deposit, please?
请退我押金。
Qǐng tuì wǒ yājīn.

Could I have my passport, please?
我想拿回我的护照？
Wǒ xiǎng náhuí wǒde hùzhào?
Could I have my valuables, please?

我想拿回我的贵重物品？
Wǒ xiǎng náhuí wǒde guìzhòng wùpǐn?
I’ll be back …
我……再回来。
Wǒ … zài huílái.
in (three) days
过(三)天
guò (sān) tiān
on (Tuesday)
下个(星期二)
xiàge (xīngqī ‘èr)
camping
野营
Where can we spend the night?

晚上我们住哪里?
Wǎnshang wǒmen zhù nǎli?
Am I allowed to camp here?
我可以在这儿露营吗?

Wǒ kěyǐ zài zhèr lùyíng ma?
Can we light a fire here?
能在这里生火吗？
Néng zài zhèlǐ shēnghuǒ ma?
Is it safe to sleep in this place?
住这里安全吗？
Zhù zhèlǐ ānquán ma?
renting
租房
I’m here about the … for rent.

我是租……来的。
Wǒ shì zū … lái de.
Do you have a/an … for rent?
你有……出租吗?
Nǐyǒu … chūzū ma?
apartment
公寓
gōngyù
house (basic)
房子
fángzi
room
房间
fángjiān
villa (luxurious)
别墅
biéshù
furnished
带家具的

dài jiājù de
partly furnished
带部分家具的
dài bùfen jiājù de
unfurnished
不带家具的
bù dài jiājù de
staying with locals

住老百姓家里
Can I stay at your place?

我能在你家住吗？
Wǒ néng zài nǐ jiā zhù ma?
Is there anything I can do to help?
有什么事能帮你吗？
Yǒu shénme shì néng bāng nǐ ma?
I have my own …
我带了自己的……
Wǒ dàile zìjǐ de …
mattress
褥子
rùzi
sleeping bag
睡袋
shuìdài
Can I …?

我能……吗？
Wǒ néng … ma?
bring anything for the meal
带一些吃的来
dài yīxiē chī de lái
do the dishes
帮你洗盘子
bāng nǐ xǐ pánzi
Thanks for your hospitality.
谢谢你的款待。
Xièxie nǐ de kuǎndài.
the host with the most

Food has great significance in Chinese culture. If you‘re staying in a
Chinese home or have just been invited to share a meal, the surest way to
gladden the hearts of your hosts is to heartily express your appreciation of
their culinary prowess. Here are two handy phrases:
The food was delicious!
真好吃!
Zhēn hǎochī!
My stomach is very happy.
吃的真饱。
Chīde zhēn bǎo.
In return, you can expect to hear this constant encouragement from your
hosts to overindulge yourself:
Eat up!
多吃一点！
Duō chī yīdiǎn!
For more dining-related expressions, see eating out.

shopping
逛街
looking for ...

making a purchase
bargaining
clothes
repairs
hairdressing
books & reading
music
photography
looking for …
问路
Where’s a/an …?
……在哪儿?
… zài nǎr?
antique shop
古董市场
Gǔdǒng shìchǎng
market
市场
Shìchǎng
shopping centre
商场

Shāngchǎng
supermarket
超市
Chāoshì
Where can I buy (a padlock)?
哪里能买到(挂锁)?
Nǎli néng mǎidào (guàsuǒ)?
For phrases on directions, see directions.
making a purchase
买货
I’m just looking.

我先看看。
Wǒ xiān kànkan.
How much is it?
多少钱？
Duōshǎo qián?
Can you write down the price?

请把价钱写下来。
Qǐng bǎ jiàqián xiěxià lái.
I’m looking for …

我想买……
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi …

Can I look at it?
我能看看吗？
Wǒ néng kànkan ma?
Do you have any others?

有没有别的？
Yǒuméiyǒu biéde?
Does it have a guarantee?

有保修期吗？
Yǒu bǎoxiūqī ma?
Do you accept credit cards?

你们收信用卡吗？
Nǐmen shōu xìnyòng kǎ ma?
Do you accept debit cards?

你们收借记卡吗？
Nǐmen shōu jièjìkǎ ma?
Do you accept travellers cheques?

你们收旅行支票吗？
Nǐmen shōu lǚxíng zhīpiào ma?

I’d like a bag, please.
请给我一个袋子。
Qǐng gěi wǒ yīge dàizi.
I’d like a receipt, please.

可以开发票吗？
Kěyǐ kāi fāpiào ma?
I’d like my change, please.

可以找零钱吗？
Kěyǐ zhǎo língqián ma?
Could I have it wrapped?

能包装一下吗？
Néng bāozhuāng yīxià ma?
Can I have it sent overseas?
你能寄到国外吗？
Nǐ néng jìdào guówài ma?
Will I be allowed to take this out of the country?
我能带出境吗？
Wǒ néng dài chūjìng ma?
Can you order one for me?
能帮我定购？一个吗
Néng bāngwǒ dìnggòu yīge ma?
Can I pick it up later?

过一会儿来拿,好吗？
Guò yīhuìr lái ná, hǎo ma?
It’s faulty.
有毛病。
Yǒu máobìng.
This item is a fake.

这是假货。
Zhèshì jiǎhuò.
local talk
a bargain
实惠
shíhuì
grand sale
大甩卖
dàshuǎimài
on special
打折扣
dǎ zhékòu
a rip-off
真宰人
zhēn zǎirén
to bargain
砍价
kǎnjià
I’d like a refund, please.
可以退钱吗？
Kěyǐ tuì qián ma?

I’d like to return this, please.
可以退换这个吗？
Kěyǐ tuìhuàn zhège ma?
playing it cool
Whether you’re wheeling and dealing in China, or just trying to get a few
yuan knocked off the price of a portrait of Mao, there are a few points to
keep in mind to help your negotiations go smoothly.
The concept of ‘saving face’ (miànzi 面子) is important in Chinese
culture. Essentially it’s about avoiding being made to look stupid or to
back down in front of others – a concept which isn’t limited to the Chinese
of course. Negotiated settlements that provide benefits to both parties are
preferable to confrontation. A desire to save face may lead people to
disguise uncomfortable truths.
Chinese men and women are generally reserved with hand and facial
movements. The animated gesticulating of Westerners can seem
undignified and even comical to them.
A smile doesn’t necessarily mean happiness. Chinese people may also
smile when they’re embarrassed or worried.
For more on body language, see romance.
bargaining
谈价
You’re kidding!
开什么玩笑！
Kāi shénme wánxiào!
That’s too expensive!

太贵了！
Tàiguì le!
Can you lower the price?

能便宜一点吗？
Néng piányi yīdiǎn ma?
Do you have something cheaper?

有便宜一点的吗？
Yǒu piányi yīdiǎn de ma?
I’ll give you (five kuai).
给你(五块)钱。
Gěinǐ (wǔkuài) qián.
That’s my final offer.
就给这么多。
Jiù gěi zhème duō.
clothes
衣服
Can I try it on?

能穿上试试吗？
Néng chuān shàng shìshi ma?
My size is (32).
我穿(三十二)号。
Wǒ chuān (sān shí èr) hào.

It doesn’t fit.
穿得不合身。
Chuānde bù héshēn.
Is there a mirror?
有镜子吗？
Yǒu jìngzi ma?
Where can I find a tailor?
哪里能找个裁缝？
Nǎli néngzhǎoge cáifeng?
small size
小号
xiǎo hào
medium size
中号
zhōng hào
large size
大号
dà hào
For clothing items, see the dictionary.

repairs
修东西
Can I have my … repaired here?

你能修我的……吗？
Nǐ néngxiū wǒde … ma?
When will my … be ready?
什么时候来拿……？
Shénme shíhòu láiná …?
backpack
背包
bèibāo
camera
照相机
zhàoxiàngjī
glasses
眼镜
yǎnjìng
shoes
鞋子
xiézi
sunglasses
墨镜
mòjìng
hairdressing
理发
I’d like (a) …

我想……
Wǒ xiǎng …

blow wave
烫发
tàngfà
colour
染发
rǎnfà
haircut
剪发
jiǎnfà
my beard trimmed
修胡子
xiū húzi
shave
剃胡子
tì húzi
trim
剪一点
jiǎnyīdiǎn
Don’t cut it too short.
不要剪得太短。
Bùyào jiǎnde tài duǎn.
Please use a new blade.
请用一个新的刀片。
Qǐng yòng yīge xīnde dāopiàn.
Shave it all off!
剃光了吧！
Tìguāng le ba!
I should never have let you near me!
(lit: How can I explain this to my parents?)
哎哟,我怎么跟父母交待？
Āiyāo, wǒ zěnme gēn fùmǔ jiāodài?

For colours, see the dictionary.
books & reading

文化世界
Do you have …?
有没有……？
Yǒuméiyǒu …?
a book by (Jin Yong)
(金庸)的书
(Jīn Yōng) de shū
an entertainment guide
娱乐指南
yúlè zhǐnán
Is there an English language …?
附近有英文……吗？
Fùjìn yǒu Yīngwén … ma?
bookshop
书店
shūdiàn
section
书
shū
lost in translation
China has a rich literary tradition. Unfortunately, unless would-be readers
master the language, most of it is inaccessible to Westerners. Much of the
Chinese literary heritage (particularly poetry) is untranslatable, although
scholars persevere. However, some 20th century Chinese classics are
available in translation. Look out for the works of literati such as Shen
Congwen, Wang Shuo, Lao She, Ba Jin, Feng Jicai and Gao Xingjian.

I’d like a …
我想买……
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi …
copy of the China Daily
一份中国日报
yīfèn Zhōngguó Rìbào
dictionary
一本词典
yīběn cídiǎn
newspaper (in English)
一张(英文)报纸
yīzhāng (Yīngwén) bàozhǐ
notepad
一本笔记本
yīběn bǐjìběn
Can you recommend a book to me?
你能给我推荐一本好书吗？
Nǐ néng gěi wǒ tuījiàn yīběn hǎo shū ma?
Do you have Lonely Planet guidebooks?

有没有孤独星球出版社的旅行指南书？
Yǒuméiyǒu Gūdú Xīngqiú chūbǎnshè de lǚxíng zhǐnán shū?
listen for …
Anything else?
还要别的吗？
Hái yào biéde ma?
Can I help you?
我能帮你吗？

Wǒ néng bāng nǐ ma?
No, we don’t have any.
没有。
Méiyǒu.
music
音乐
I’d like a …
我想买一个……
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yīge …
blank tape
空磁带
kōng cídài
CD/DVD
CD/DVD
see dee/dee vee dee
I’m looking for something by (Zhou Huajian).
我在找(周华健)的歌。
Wǒ zài zhǎo (Zhōu Huájiàn) de gē.
What’s his/her best recording?
他/她最好的CD是哪个？
Tā zuì hǎo de CD shì nǎge?
Can I listen to this?
我能听一下吗？
Wǒ néng tīng yīxià ma?
photography
摄影
Could you load my film?

能安装这个胶卷吗？
Néng ānzhuāng zhège jiāojuǎn ma?
Could you develop this film?

能洗这个胶卷吗？
Néng xǐ zhège jiāojuǎn ma?
I need a B&W film for this camera.
我想买这个相机的黑白胶卷。
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi zhège xiàngjī de hēibái jiāojuǎn.
I need a colour film for this camera.

我想买这个相机的彩色胶卷。
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi zhège xiàngjī de cǎisè jiāojuǎn.
I want to buy … film for this camera.

我想买这个机子的……胶卷。
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi zhège jīzi de … jiāojuǎn.
APS
APS
ay pee es
slide
幻灯
huàndēng
… speed
……感光度
… gǎn guāngdù
How much is it?
多少钱？

Duōshǎo qián?
When will it be ready?
什么时候来取？
Shénme shíhòu lái qǔ?
I need a passport photo taken.

我想拍一张护照上用的照片。
Wǒ xiǎng pāi yīzhāng hùzhào shàng yòngde zhàopiān.
I’m not happy with these photos.
这卷洗得不好。
Zhè juǎn xǐde bùhǎo.
I don’t want to pay the full price.
请帮我打个折扣。
Qǐng bāngwǒ dǎ ge zhékòu.
souvenirs
antique
古董
gǔdǒng
bronze
青铜器
qīngtóngqì
calligraphy
书法
shūfǎ
ceramics
陶瓷
táocí
coins
钱币

qiánbì
ink painting
水墨画
shuǐmòhuà
jade
玉器
yùqì
oil painting
油画
yóuhuà
scroll
国画
guóhuà
silk
丝绸
sīchóu
stamps
邮票
yóupiào
statue
塑像
sùxiàng
tea
茶叶
cháyè
woodblock print
木刻
mùkè

communications
通讯
post office
phone
mobile/cell phone
the internet
post office
在邮局
I want to send a fax.

我想发个传真。
Wǒ xiǎng fā ge chuánzhēn.
I want to send a parcel.

我想寄一个包裹。
Wǒ xiǎng jì yī gè bāoguǒ.
I want to send a postcard.

我想寄一张明信片。
Wǒ xiǎng jì yī zhāng míngxìnpiàn.
I want to buy an envelope.

我想买一个信封。
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī ge xìnfēng.
I want to buy stamps.

我想买邮票。
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yóupiào.
customs declaration
海关报税
hǎiguān bàoshuì
domestic
国内
guónèi
fragile
易碎
yìsuì
international
国际
guójì
mailbox
信箱
xìnxiāng
postal service
信件
xìnjiàn
postcode
邮政编码
yúzhèng biānmǎ
to send

寄信
jìxìn
snail mail
air
航空信
hángkōng xìn
express
特快
tèkuài
registered
挂号
guàhào
surface (land)
(陆运)平信
(lùyùn) píngxìn
surface (sea)
(海运)平信
(hǎiyùn) píngxìn
Please send it by airmail/surface mail to (Australia).

请寄航空信/平信到(澳大利亚)。
Qǐng jì hángkōng xìn/píngxìn dào (Àodàlìyà).
It contains (souvenirs).
里面有(纪念品)。
Lǐmian yǒu (jìniànpǐn).
Where’s the poste restante section?
留局待取写在哪里？
Liújú dàiqǔ xiě zài nǎli?
Is there any mail for me?
有没有我的信？
Yǒuméiyǒu wǒde xìn?

phone
打电话
What’s your phone number?

您的电话号码是多少？
Nín de diànhuà hàomǎ shì duōshǎo?
Where’s the nearest public phone?

最近的公用电话在哪里?
Zuìjìn de gōngyòng diànhuà zài nǎli?
Can you help me find the number for …?

请帮我找一下……的号码。
Qǐng bāngwǒ zhǎoyīxià … de hàomǎ.
I’d like to buy a phonecard.
我想买一张电话卡。
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yīzhāng diànhuà kǎ.
I want to …
我想……
Wǒ xiǎng …
call (Singapore)
打电话到(新加坡)
dǎ diànhuà dào (Xīnjiāpō)
make a (local) call
打(市内)电话
dǎ (shìnèi) diànhuà

reverse the charges
打对方付款的电话
dǎ duìfāng fùkuǎn de diànhuà
speak for (three) minutes
讲(三)分钟
jiǎng (sān)fēnzhōng
How much does it cost per minute?
打一分钟多少钱？
Dǎ yīfēnzhōng duōshǎo qián?
The number is …
号码是……
Hàomǎ shì …
What’s the area code for (New Zealand)?
(新西兰)的区号是多少？
(Xīnxīlán) de qūhào shì duōshǎo?
It’s engaged.
占线了。
Zhànxiàn le.
I’ve been cut off.
断掉了。
Duàndiào le.
The connection’s bad.
线路不好。
Xiànlù bùhǎo.
Hello.
喂。
Wèi.
Can I speak to …?
我找……
Wǒ zhǎo …
It’s …

这是……
Zhè shì …
Is … there?
……在吗？
… zài ma?
Please tell him/her I called.
请告诉他/她我打过电话。
Qǐng gàosù tā wǒ dǎguò diànhuà.
Can I leave a message?
我能留言吗？
Wǒ néng liúyán ma?
My number is …
我的号码是……
Wǒde hàomǎ shì …
I don’t have a contact number.
我在这儿没有联系电话。
Wǒ zài zhèr méiyǒu liánxì diànhuà.
I’ll call back later.
我晚点再打过来。
Wǒ wǎndiǎn zài dǎguòlái.
listen for …
(He/She) is not here.
(他/她)不在。
(Tā) bùzài.
Wrong number.
打错了。
Dǎcuò le.
One moment.
等一下。
Děngyīxià.

Who do you want to speak to?
你找谁？
Nǐ zhǎo shéi?
Who’s calling?
你是谁？
Nǐ shì shéi?
mobile/cell phone
手机
I’d like a …
我想买一……
Wǒ xiáng mǎi yī …
charger for my phone
个充电器
ge chōngdiàn qì
mobile/cell phone
个手机
ge shǒujī
(100 yuan) prepaid card
张(一百块的)预付卡
zhāng (yībǎi kuài de) yùfùkǎ
I’d like a SIM card for your network.
我想买一张手机卡。
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī zhāng shǒujī kǎ.

What are the rates?
电话费怎么算？
Diànhuàfèi zěnme suàn?
(30 fen) per minute.
每分钟 (三毛钱)。
Měifēnzhōng (sānmáoqián).
the internet
上网
Where’s the local Internet café?

附近有网吧吗？
Fùjìn yǒu wǎngbā ma?
Can I get an account with a local Internet provider?

我能开一个IP账户吗？
Wǒ néng kāiyīge ai pee zhànghù ma?
I’d like to get Internet access.
我想上网。
Wǒ xiǎng shàngwǎng.
I’d like to use a printer.

我想打印。
Wǒ xiǎng dǎyìn.
I’d like to …
我想……
Wǒ xiǎng …

check my email
查一下电子信箱
chá yīxià diànzǐ xìnxiāng
use a scanner
扫描
sǎomiáo
Do you have …?
有……吗？
Yǒu … ma?
PCs
个人电脑
gèrén diànnǎo
Macs
微软
Wēiruǎn
How much per …?
每……多少钱？
Měi … duōshǎo qián?
(five) minutes
(五)分钟
(wǔ)fēnzhōng
page
页
yè
How much per hour?
每小时多少钱？
Měi xiǎoshí duōshǎo qián?

How do I log on?
我怎么登录？
Wǒ zěnme dēnglù?
Please change it to English-language preference.
请帮我换成英文格式。
Qǐng bāngwǒ huànchéng Yīngwén géshì.
This connection’s really slow.
网速太慢了。
Wǎngsù tài màn le.
It’s crashed.
死机了。
Sǐjī le.
I’ve finished.
上完了。
Shàng wán le.

banking
在银行
bank
银行
With the rapid development of China’s electronic banking network over

recent years, you can generally avoid queueing up in Chinese banks.
Withdrawals can instead be made at automated teller machines ( zìdòng
qǔkuǎnjī 自动取款机) dotted across all major cities.
What time does the bank open?
银行什么时候开门？
Yínháng shénme shíhòu kāimen?
Where’s an ATM?
自动取款机在哪儿？
Zìdòng qǔkuǎnjī zài nǎr?
Where’s a foreign exchange office?

换外币的地方在哪儿？
Huàn wàibì de dìfang zài nǎr?

I’d like to cash a cheque.
我想兑现一张支票。
Wǒ xiǎng duìxiàn yīzhāng zhīpiào.
I’d like to change money.

我想换钱。
Wǒ xiǎng huànqián.
I’d like to change travellers cheques.

我想换旅行支票。
Wǒ xiǎng huàn lǚxíng zhīpiào.
I’d like to withdraw money.

我想取现金。
Wǒ xiǎng qǔ xiànjīn.
I’d like to get a cash advance.

我要现金透支。
Wǒ yào xiànjīn tòuzhī.
The ATM took my card.
取款机吃了我的卡。
Qǔkuǎnjī chīle wǒde kǎ.
I’ve forgotten my PIN.
我忘了我的密码。
Wǒ wàngle wǒde mìmǎ.
Can I use my credit card to withdraw money?
能用信用卡取现金吗？

Néng yòng xìnyòngkǎ qǔ xiànjīn ma?
Has my money arrived yet?
我的汇款到了没有？
Wǒde huìkuǎn dàole méiyǒu?
How long will it take to arrive?
还要等多久?
Háiyàoděng duōjiǔ?
What’s the charge for that?
手续费是多少？
Shǒuxùfèi shì duōshǎo?
What’s the exchange rate?
汇率是多少？
Huìlǜ shì duōshǎo?
listen for …
passport
护照
hùzhào
identification
证件
zhèngjiàn
Sign here.
签字。
Qiānzì.
You have no funds left.
你的帐户没有钱。
Nǐde zhànghù méiyǒu qián.
We can’t do that.
我们不能办。

Wǒmen bùnéng bàn.
There’s a problem.
有问题。
Yǒu wèntí.
For other useful phrases see money.

sightseeing
参观游点
getting in
tours
I’d like a/an …

我想买一……
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī …
audio set
个语音向导
ge yǔyīn xiàngdǎo
catalogue
本画册
běn huàcè
guide
本指南书
běn zhǐnán shū
guidebook in English
本英文指南书
běn Yīngwén zhǐnán shū
(local) map
张(本地)地图
zhāng (běndì) dìtú
Do you have information on local …?
有没有关于地方……的资料？
Yǒuméiyǒu guānyú dìfāng … de zīliào?

culture
文化
wénhuà
history
史
shǐ
religion
宗教
zōngjiào
I’d like a local map …

我想买一张本地地图。
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī zhāng běndì dìtú.
I’d like to see …

我想看……
Wǒ xiǎng kàn …
What’s that?
那是什么？
Nà shì shénme?
Who made it?

是谁做的？
Shì shéi zuòde?

How old is it?
有多老？
Yǒu duō lǎo?
Can I take a photo?
可以照相吗？
Kěyǐ zhàoxiàng ma?
Could you take a photo of me?

你能帮我照相吗？
Nǐ néng bāng wǒ zhàoxiàng ma?
Can I take a photo (of you)?
我能拍(你)吗？
Wǒ néng pāi( nǐ) ma?
I’ll send you the photograph.
我会把照片寄给你。
Wǒ huì bǎ zhàopiàn jìgěi nǐ.
Please write down your name and address.
请写下你的名字和地址。
Qǐng xiěxià nǐde míngzì hé dìzhǐ.
you haven’t seen anything yet

On your travels around China, local people are likely to be curious to find
out which of China’s many attractions are on your itinerary. To help you
communicate on this score, here are the Mandarin names of some of
China’s tourist drawcards. You could introduce them by using the first two
phrases:
I’ve been to …
我去过……
Wǒ qùguò …
I’m planning to go to …
我打算去……

Wǒ dǎsuàn qù …
Army of Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an
西安兵马俑
Xī’ān Bīngmǎyǒng
Forbidden City
故宫
Gùgōng
Great Wall
长城
Chángchéng
Guilin
桂林
Guìlín
Pingyao
平遥
Píngyáo
Tai Shan
泰山
Tàishān
West Lake of Hangzhou
杭州西湖
Hángzhōu Xīhú
getting in
进门口
What time does it open?

几点开门？
Jǐdiǎn kāimén?

What time does it close?
几点关门？
Jǐdiǎn guānmén?
What’s the admission charge?

门票多少钱？
Ménpiào duōshǎo qián?
Is there a discount for children?

给儿童打折扣吗?
Gěi értóng dǎzhékòu ma?
Is there a discount for students?

给学生打折扣吗?
Gěi xuésheng dǎzhékòu ma?
Is there a discount for …?

给……打折扣吗？
Gěi … dǎzhékòu ma?
families
家庭
jiātíng
groups
团体
tuántǐ
older people
老年人

lǎoniánrén
tours
向导游
When’s the next boat-trip?

下一个船游是什么时候？
Xiàyīge chuányóu shì shénme shíhòu?
When’s the next day trip?
下一个一日游是什么时候？
Xiàyīge yīrìyóu shì shénme shíhòu?
When’s the next tour?

下一个向导游是什么时候？
Xiàyīge xiàngdǎoyóu shì shénme shíhòu?
Is … included?
包括……吗？
Bāokuò … ma?
accommodation
住宿
zhùsù
the admission price
门票钱
ménpiàoqián

Is food included?
包括饮食吗？
Bāokuò yǐnshí ma?
Is transport included?
包括交通吗？
Bāokuò jiāotōng ma?
The guide will pay.

导游会付钱。
Dǎoyóu huì fùqián.
The guide has paid.
导游已经付了钱。
Dǎoyóu yǐjīng fùle qián.
How long is the tour?
向导游要多长时间？
Xiàngdǎoyóu yào duōcháng shíjiān?

Chinese dynasties
The abbreviations BCE and CE stand for Before Common Era and
Common Era and are equivalent to the terms BC and AD.
Xia dynasty (2070–1600BCE)
夏朝
Xiàcháo
Shang dynasty (1600–1046BCE)
商朝
Shāngcháo
Zhou dynasty (1046–256BCE)
周朝
Zhōucháo
Spring and Autumn period (770–476BCE)
春秋时期
Chūnqiū shíqī
Warring States period (475–221BCE)
战国时期
Zhànguó shíqī

Qin dynasty (221–207BCE)
秦朝
Qíncháo
Han dynasty (206BCE–220CE)
汉朝
Hàncháo
Tang dynasty (618–907CE)
唐朝
Tángcháo
Song dynasty (960–1279CE)
宋朝
Sòngcháo
Yuan dynasty (1279–1368)
元朝
Yuáncháo
Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
明朝
Míngcháo
Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
清朝
Qīngcháo
Republic of China (1911–1949)
民国时期
Mínguó shíqī
People’s Republic (lit: Liberated Era) (1949–present)
解放后
Jiěfàng hòu
What time should we be back?

几点回来？
Jǐdiǎn huílái?

I’m with them.
我跟他们在一块。
Wǒ gēn tāmen zài yīkuài.
I’ve lost my group.
我找不到我的团队。
Wǒ zhǎobùdào wǒde tuánduì.
hello stranger
One of the mild annoyances you’re likely to face on the road if you
venture outside the cosmopolitan centres is the incessant exclamation 老外
lǎowài. Or alternatively ‘Hello lǎowài hello!’. The first character means
‘old’ and is a mark of respect in Chinese. The second character literally
means ‘outside’.
Used in this context, however, the expression is not exactly polite but nor
is it cause for offence either. You could think of it as akin to ‘Hey Old
Whitey!’ or something of that nature. It’s certainly a lot better than
outmoded forms of address such as ‘Foreign Devil’ or ‘American Spy’. If
you answer by saying hello be prepared for your audience to break into
hysterical laughter.

business
商业
I’m attending a …
我来参加一个……
Wǒ lái cānjiā yīge …
conference
研讨会
yántǎohuì
course
培训班
péixùnbān
meeting
会议
huìyì
trade fair
洽谈会
qiàtánhuì
I’m with …
我跟……一块来的。
Wǒ gēn … yīkuàilái de.
(China Travel Co.)
(中旅公司)
(Zhōnglǚ gōngsī)
my colleague(s)
(几个)同事
(jĭge) tóngshì
(two) others

(两个)人
(liǎngge) rén
I’m alone.
我一个人来的。
Wǒ yīgerén lái de.
I have an appointment with …
我跟……有约会。
Wǒ gēn … yǒuyuēhuì.
I’m staying at …, room …
我住在……,……号房间。
Wǒ zhù zài …, … hào fángjiān.
I’m here for (two) days.
我要呆(两)天。
Wǒ yào dāi (liǎng)tiān.
I’m here for (two) weeks.
我要呆(两)个星期。
Wǒ yào dāi (liǎng)ge xīngqī.
That went very well.
刚才开得很好。
Gāngcái kāide hénhǎo.
Thank you for your time.
谢谢你们的关照。
Xièxie nĭmende guānzhào.
Shall we go for a drink?
咱们是不是出去喝杯酒？
Zánmen shìbùshì chūqù hēbēijiǔ?
Shall we go for a meal?
咱们是不是出去吃顿饭？
Zánmen shìbùshì chūqù chīdùnfàn?
It’s on me.
我请客。

Wǒ qĭng kè.
Where’s the …?
……在哪儿？
… zài nǎr?
business centre
商务中心
Shāngwù zhōngxīn
conference
研讨会
Yántǎohuì
meeting
会议
Huìyì
I need …
我需要……
Wǒ xūyào …
a computer
一个电脑
yīge diànnǎo
an Internet connection
上网
shàng wǎng
an interpreter
一位翻译
yīwèi fānyì
to send a fax
发一个传真
fā yīge chuánzhēn
clinching the deal Chinese style

The notion of guānxì 关系 (connections) is central to doing business in
China. In a country where people often have to compete for goods and
services in short supply, a network of advantageous reciprocal
connnections in places of power is all important. Obtaining goods and
services through such channels is colloquially known as ‘going through the
back door’ (zǒuhòumén 走后门). Typical displays of guanxi are lavish
banquets fuelled with Chinese spirit (báijiǔ 白酒). If you want to cut any
deals while in China, you may be wise to adopt the local custom in this
regard.

senior & disabled travellers
年迈旅行者残疾旅行者
In China older people are revered. To be called an ‘old man’ (dàye 大爷 lit:
grand father) or an ‘old woman’ (dàmā 大妈 lit: great mother) is a
compliment, a tribute to your maturity and wisdom. Disabled people, on the
other hand, will not find China easy as there are precious few facilities for
the disabled.
I have a disability.
我有残疾。
Wǒ yǒu cánjí.
I need assistance.
我需要帮助。
Wǒ xūyào bāngzhù.
Is there wheelchair access?
轮椅能进门吗？
Lúnyǐ néng jìn mén ma?
How wide is the entrance?
门口有多宽？
Ménkǒu yǒu duōkuān?
I’m deaf.
我耳朵聋了。
Wǒ ěrduō lóng le.
I have a hearing aid.
我带有助听器。
Wǒ dàiyǒu zhùtīngqì.
How many steps are there?
有多少台阶？
Yǒu duōshǎo táijiē?

Is there a lift?
有电梯吗？
Yǒu diàntī ma?
Are there rails in the bathroom?
浴室里有扶手吗？
Yùshì lǐ yǒu fúshǒu ma?
Could you help me cross the street safely?
能帮我过马路吗？
Néng bāngwǒ guò mǎlù ma?
Is there somewhere I can sit down?
哪里可以坐下休息？
Nǎli kěyǐ zuòxià xiūxi?
older person
老年人
lǎoniánrén
person with a disability
残疾人
cánjí rén
ramp
坡道
pōdào
walking frame
拐杖架子
guǎizhàng jiàzi
walking stick
拐杖
guǎizhàng
wheelchair
轮椅
lúnyǐ
spelling it out

Most Chinese are familiar with the Latin alphabet through their knowledge
of Pinyin and English. If you want to spell out your name in hotels etc, you
should follow the Chinese pronunciation of the alphabet in the chart below
as you probably won’t be understood if you say the letters as in English.
Latin letters can be represented with characters representing the sounds.
A 阿 a N 恩 ēn
B 悲 bēi O 呕 ō
C 西 xī P 披 pī
D 弟 dì Q 酷 kù
E 衣 yī R 耳 ěr
F 饿夫 èfu S 饿死 èsǐ
G 鸡 jī T 踢 tī
H 爱耻 àichǐ U 忧 yōu
I 挨 āi V 维 wéi
J 宅 zhāi W 大波伟 dàbōwěi
K 开 kāi X 哎渴死 aikésǐ
L 饿罗 èluó Y 歪 wāi
M 饿母 èmǔ Z 自得 zìdé

children
孩子
Chinese people think foreign children are fascinating. You may find that
travelling with children greatly facilitates striking up conversations with
locals and getting to know them.
Is there a …?
这儿有没有……？
Zhèr yǒuméiyǒu …?
child discount
给儿童打折扣
gěi értóng dǎ zhékòu
child-minding service
保姆服务
bǎomǔ fúwù
child’s portion
儿童份量(的饭菜)
értóng fènliàng (de fàncài)
crèche
幼儿园
yòu’éryuán
family ticket
家庭票
jiātíng piào
I need a/an …
我在找一……
Wǒ zài zhǎo yī …
baby seat
个婴儿座

ge yīng’ér zuò
(English-speaking) babysitter
位(会说英文的)保姆
wèi (huì shuō Yīngwén de) báomǔ
cot
张婴儿床
zhāng yīng’ér chuáng
highchair
张高凳子
zhāng gāodèngzi
plastic bag
个塑料袋
ge sùliào dài
plastic sheet
块塑料布
kuài sùliào bù
potty
个婴儿马桶
ge yīng’ér mǎtǒng
pram
辆小推车
liǎng xiǎotuīchē
sick bag
个呕吐袋
ge ǒutù dài
stroller
辆婴儿推车
liǎng yīng’ér tuīchē
Do you hire prams/strollers?
这儿能租用婴儿推车吗？
Zhèr néng zūyòng yīng’ér tuīchē ma?

Are children allowed?
能带小孩去吗？
Néng dài xiǎohái qù ma?
Are there any good places to take children around here?
附近有孩子玩的地方吗？
Fùjìn yǒu háizi wánde dìfang ma?
Is there space for a pram/stroller?
有地方放推车吗？
Yǒu dìfang fàng tuīchē ma?
Do you mind if I breast-feed here?
这儿喂奶你介意吗?
Zhèr wèinǎi nǐ jièyì ma?
Could I have some paper and pencils, please?
能借用纸和笔吗？
Néng jièyòng zhǐ hé bǐ ma?
Is this suitable for …-year-old children?
对……岁孩子合适吗？
Duì … suì háizi héshì ma?
Do you know a dentist who’s good with children?
哪个儿科牙医比较好?
Nǎge érkē yáyī bǐjiào hǎo?
Do you know a doctor who’s good with children?
哪个儿科医生比较好?
Nǎge érkē yīshēng bǐjiào hǎo?
Where’s the nearest …?
最近的……在哪里?
Zuìjìn de … zài nǎli?
park
公园
gōngyuán
playground

孩子活动地方
háizi huódòng dìfang
swimming pool
游泳池
yóuyǒng chí
tap
水龙头
shuǐlóngtóu
theme park
游乐园
yóulèyuán
toyshop
玩具店
wánjù diàn
Do you sell …?
你们卖……吗？
Nǐmen mài … ma?
baby painkillers
孩子止痛药
háizi zhǐtòng yào
baby wipes
婴儿纸巾
yīng’ér zhǐjīn
disposable nappies
一次性尿裤
yīcìxìng niàokù
tissues
纸巾
zhǐjīn
For health issues, see health.

SOCIAL > meeting people
交流
basics
greetings & goodbyes
titles & addressing people
making conversation
nationalities
age
occupations & studies
family
farewells
basics
开头
Note that in Mandarin, the word ‘please’ (qǐng 请) always precedes a

request. You’re likely to become familiar with the last two phrases below as
Chinese people use them a lot.
Yes.
是。
Shì.
No.
不是。
Bùshì.

Please …
请……
Qǐng …
Thank you (very much).

(非常)谢谢你。
(Fēicháng) xièxie nǐ.
You’re welcome.
不客气。
Bù kèqi.
Excuse me. (to get attention)

劳驾。
Láojià.
Excuse me. (to get past)

借光。对不起
Jièguāng.
Sorry.
对不起。
Duìbùqǐ.

As you please.
随便。
Suíbiàn.
art
No problem.
没关系。
Méiguānxi.
greetings & goodbyes

打招呼
In common parlance, nǐ 你 (‘you’ singular) can have the polite form nín 您.
This polite form is particularly common in Beijing. You’ll encounter it as
part of some common greetings.
Greetings all.
大家好。
Dàjiā hǎo.
Hello. (general)
你好。
Nǐhǎo.
Hello. (Beijing)
您好。
Nínhǎo.
Hi. (lit: Have you eaten?)
吃饭了吗？
Chīfàn le ma?
Good …
……好。

… hǎo.
afternoon
下午
Xiàwǔ
evening
晚上
Wǎnshàng
早上
Zǎoshàng
How are you? (general)
你好吗？
Nǐhǎo ma?
How are you? (Beijing)

您好吗？
Nínhǎo ma?
Fine. And you?
好。你呢？
Hǎo. Nǐ ne?
What’s your name?

你叫什么名字？
Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?
My name is …
我叫……
Wŏ jiào …

I’d like to introduce you to …
给你介绍……
Gěi nǐ jièshào …
I’m pleased to meet you.
幸会。
Xìnghuì.
This is my son.
这是我的……
Zhè shì wŏde …
This is my daughter.
这是我的……
Zhè shì wŏde …
This is my friend.
这是我的朋友。
Zhè shì wŏde péngyou.
This is my husband.
这是我的丈夫。
Zhè shì wŏde zhàngfu.
This is my wife.
这是我的太太。
Zhè shì wŏde tàitai.

For other family members, see family.
Goodbye.
再见。
Zàijiàn.
Bye.
拜拜。
Bàibai.
See you later.
回头见。
Huítóu jiàn.
Good night.
晚安。
Wǎn’ān.
titles & addressing people

尊称与称呼人
China is host to a wealth of titles and terms of address, reflecting the

richness of China’s feudal past. Travellers to China can get by using the
three titles given below. The last term xiǎojiě 小姐 is becoming the generic
term for women of unspecified marital status. Be aware that it can carry a
derogatory overtone of ‘prostitute’ but only if used in sexually suggestive
contexts.
Mr/Sir (lit: first born)
先生

xiānsheng
Mrs/Madam
女士
nǚshì
Ms/Miss (lit: little sister)

小姐
xiǎojiě
on friendly terms
In China, the friendliest way to address people is by bringing them into
your family. You can call a woman of an older generation āyí 阿姨
(auntie). It’s polite to give people the benefit of the doubt on the upwards
side when guessing their age.
In Beijing, gēmenr 哥们儿 (buddy) and jiěmenr 姐们儿 (sis) are popular
for men and women respectively, reflecting Beijing’s laid-back youth
culture. Elsewhere, the terms dàgē 大哥 (big brother) and jiějie 姐姐 (big
sister) are commonly used. On the less friendly side, to call one of your
peers sūnzi 孙子 (grandchild) – a rank two full generations below yours –
is a popular insult.
making conversation
聊天
Here are some common greetings and conversation starters that you may
encounter or that may help you to break the ice.

Have you eaten?
吃饭了吗？
Chīfàn le ma?
Stepping out?
出去吗？
Chūqù ma?
You’ve arrived!
你来啦！
Nǐ lái la!
(You’re) Off to the market?
买菜去？
Mǎicài qù?
Do you live here?
你住这里吗？
Nǐ zhù zhèlǐ ma?
Where are you going?
上哪儿去？
Shàngnǎr qù?
What are you doing?
你在干吗？
Nǐ zài gànma?
Do you like it here?
喜欢这里吗？
Xǐhuān zhèlǐ ma?
I love it here.
我很喜欢这里。
Wŏ hěn xǐhuān zhèlǐ.
Are you here on holiday?
你来这里旅游吗？
Nǐ lái zhèlǐ lǚyóu ma?
listen for …

People are often curious to know how foreigners get over their initial
culture shock. You may well have curious locals address this question to
you.
Are you accustomed to life here?
你在这儿习惯吗？
Nǐ zài zhèr xíguàn ma?
I’m here …
我来这里……
Wŏ lái zhèlǐ …
for a holiday
旅游
lǚyóu
on business
出差
chūchāi
to study
留学
liúxué
How long are you here for?
你在这里住多久？
Nǐ zài zhèlǐ zhù duōjiǔ?
I’m here for (four) weeks.
我住(四)个星期。
Wŏ zhù (sì)ge xīngqī.
Can I take a photo (of you)?
我可以拍(你)吗？
Wŏ kěyǐ pāi (nǐ) ma?
That’s (beautiful), isn’t it?
太(好看)了!
Tài (hǎokàn) le!

Just joking.
开玩笑。
Kāiwánxiào.
What’s this called?
这个叫什么？
Zhège jiào shénme?
local talk
Great!
真棒！
Zhēnbàng!
Hey!
劳驾！
Láojià!
It’s OK.
还行。
Háixíng.
Just a minute.
等一下。
Děngyīxià.
Maybe.
有可能。
Yǒu kěnéng.
No problem.
没事。
Méishì.
No way!
不可能！
Bù kěnéng!
Sure, whatever.
行,行,行。

Xíng, xíng, xíng.
That’s enough!
够了,够了!
Gòule, gòule!
nationalities
国籍
Where are you from?

你从哪儿来？
Nǐ cóngnǎr lái?
I’m from Singapore.

我从新加坡来。
Wŏ cóng Xīnjiāpō lái.
I’m from Australia.

我从澳大利亚来。
Wŏ cóng Àodàlìyà lái.
I’m from Canada.
我从加拿大来。
Wŏ cóng Jiānádà lái.
For more nationalities, see the dictionary.
conversation starters
When trying to start up a conversation in China, never be afraid to ask, or
state, the obvious. If a friend is coming out of a restaurant with red-fried
pork smeared all over their face, best check to see whether they’ve eaten
by asking Chīfàn le ma? 吃饭了吗？ (‘Have you eaten?’). If you can’t

think of an obvious question to ask, try stating the obvious. It’s as easy as
talking about the weather. If a friend has just arrived at your house, let
them know they’ve arrived with a gleeful Nǐ lái la! 你来啦! (‘You’ve
arrived!’).
age
年龄
Try not to be too ruffled if everyone asks how many years you’ve managed
to pack on over your life’s journey. They don’t mean to cause offence, but
are simply curious to know how old you are – age is an indication of status
and wealth in traditional China.
How old …?
……多大了？
… duōdà le?
is your daughter
你的女儿
Nǐde nǚ’ér
is your son
你的儿子
Nǐde érzi
How old are you?
你多大了？
Nǐ duōdà le?
I’m (25) years old.

我(二十五)岁。
Wŏ (èr shí wǔ) suì.

He/She is … years old.
他/她……岁。
Tā … suì.
Too old!
太老了！
Tài lǎo le!
I’m younger than I look.
我还小了。
Wŏ hái xiǎo le.
For your age, see numbers & amounts.
occupations & studies

事业与学业
Expect curious Chinese people to ask ‘How much do you earn?’ (Nǐ zhèng
duōshǎo qián? 你挣多少钱？) as it’s one of the top ten questions asked of
foreigners. This curiosity is probably explained by the rise of the free
market and free-market jobs in China – a new and exciting phenomenon.
What’s your occupation?
你做什么工作？
Nǐ zuò shénme gōngzuò?
I’m an artist.
我是艺术家。
Wŏ shì yìshùjiā.
I’m a business person.

我是商人。
Wŏ shì shāngrén.

I’m a manual worker.
我是手艺工人。
Wŏ shì shǒuyì gōngrén.
I’m an office worker.

我是白领。
Wŏ shì báilǐng.
I’m a scientist.
我是科学家。
Wŏ shì kēxué jiā.
I’m a student.
我是学生。
Wŏ shì xuéshēng.
I’m a tradesperson.
我是技工。
Wŏ shì jìgōng.
I’m …
我……了。
Wŏ … le.

retired
退休
tuìxiū
self-employed
下海
xiàhǎi
unemployed
下岗
xiàgǎng
I’m studying …
我学……
Wŏ xué …
humanities
文科
wénkē
(Mandarin) Chinese
中文
Zhōngwén
science
理科
lǐkē
What are you studying?
你在学什么？
Nǐ zài xué shénme?
For more occupations and studies, see the dictionary.
family
家庭
Mandarin kinship terms can get very complicated as there are different titles
according to age hierarchy and whether the relationship is maternal or

paternal. Included here are the terms for immediate family members and a
selection of extended-family terms.
Are you married?
你结婚了吗？
Nǐ jiéhūn le ma?
I’m married.
我结婚了。
Wŏ jiéhūn le.
I’m single.
我单身。
Wŏ dānshēn.
I’m …
我……
Wŏ …
separated
分手了
fēnshŏu le
divorced
离婚了
líhūn le
in a relationship
有伴
yŏubàn
Do you have a family of your own?
你成家了吗？

Nǐ chéngjiā le ma?
I live with someone.
我有伴儿。
Wǒ yŏu bànr.
Do you have a/an …?
你有……吗？
Nǐ yŏu … ma?
I (don’t) have a/an …
我(没)有……
Wŏ (méi) yŏu …
aunt (mat.)
阿姨
āyí
brother
兄弟
xiōngdì
brother (elder)
哥哥
gēge
brother (younger)
弟弟
dìdi
daughter
女儿
nǚ’ér
father
父亲
fùqīn
grandchildren
孙儿
sūnr

granddaughter
孙女
sūnnǚ
grandfather (mat.)
外公
wàigōng
grandfather (pat.)
爷爷
yéye
grandmother (mat.)
外婆
wàipó
grandmother (pat.)
奶奶
nǎinai
grandson
孙子
sūnzi
husband
丈夫
zhàngfu
mother
母亲
mǔqīn
partner (intimate)
对象
duìxiàng
sister
姐妹
jiěmèi
sister (elder)

姐姐
jiějie
sister (younger)
妹妹
mèimei
son
儿子
érzi
uncle (father’s younger brother)
叔叔
shūshu
wife
太太
tàitai
farewells
告别
Tomorrow I’m leaving.

明天我要走了。
Míngtiān wŏ yào zŏu le.
If you come to (Scotland) you can stay with me.
有机会来(苏格兰),可以来找我。
Yŏu jīhuì lái (Sūgélán) kěyǐ lái zhǎowŏ.
Keep in touch!
保持联系！
Bǎochí liánxì!
It’s been great meeting you.
认识你实在很高兴。
Rènshi nǐ shízài hěn gāoxìng.
Here’s my address.

给你我的地址。
Gěi nǐ wŏde dìzhǐ.
What’s your address?

你的地址是什么？
Nǐde dìzhǐ shì shénme?
Here’s my email address.

给你我的电邮地址。
Gěi nǐ wŏde diànyóudìzhǐ.
What’s your email address?

你的电邮地址是什么？
Nǐde diànyóu dìzhǐ shì shénme?
well wishing
Bon voyage!
一路平安！
Yīlù píngān!
Congratulations!
恭喜,恭喜！
Gōngxǐ, gōngxǐ!
Good luck!
祝你好运！
Zhù nǐ hǎoyùn!

Happy birthday!
生日快乐！
Shēngrì kuàilè!
Happy (Chinese) New Year!
新年好！
Xīnnián hǎo!
Congratulations! May you make lots of money!
(Chinese New Year greeting; especially in southern China.)
恭喜发财！
Gōngxǐ fācái!

interests
爱好
common interests
music
cinema & theatre
common interests
共同兴趣
What do you do in your spare time?

你有什么爱好吗？
Nǐ yǒu shénme àihào ma?
Do you like …?
你喜欢……吗？
Nǐ xǐhuān … ma?
I like …
我喜欢……
Wǒ xǐhuān …
I don’t like …
我不喜欢……
Wǒ bù xǐhuān …

calligraphy
书法
shūfǎ
climbing mountains
爬山
páshān
computer games
电子游戏
diànzǐ yóuxì
cooking
做饭
zuòfàn
dancing
跳舞
tiàowǔ
drawing
画画
huàhuà
drinking
喝酒
hējiǔ
eating
吃饭
chīfàn
films
看电影
kàn diànyǐng
gardening
养花

yǎnghuā
music
听音乐
tīngyīnyuè
photography
拍照
pāizhào
reading
看书
kànshū
sport
体育
tǐyù
surfing the Internet
上网
shàngwǎng
talking
聊天
liáotiān
travelling
旅游
lǚyóu
walking
散步
sànbù
watching TV
看电视
kàn diànshì
window shopping
逛商店
guàngshāngdiàn

For sporting activities, see sport.
music
音乐
Do you like to …?
你爱……吗？
Nǐ ài … ma?
dance
跳舞
tiàowǔ
go to concerts
参加音乐会
cānjiā yīnyuèhuì
listen to music
听音乐
tīngyīnyuè
play an instrument
弹乐器
tán yuèqì
sing
唱歌
chànggē
What … do you like?
你喜欢什么……？
Nǐ xǐhuān shénme …?
bands
乐队
yuèduì
music
音乐

yīnyuè
singers
歌手
gēshǒu
alternative music
非主流音乐
fēizhǔliú yīnyuè
blues
布鲁斯音乐
bùlǔsī yīnyuè
Chinese traditional music
中国传统音乐
Zhōngguó chuántǒng yīnyuè
classical music
古典音乐
gǔdiǎn yīnyuè
easy listening
轻音乐
qīng yīnyuè
electronic music
电子音乐
diànzǐ yīnyuè
folk music
民谣
mínyáo
heavy metal
重金属音乐
zhòngjīnshǔ yīnyuè

hip hop
说唱音乐
shuōchàng yīnyuè
jazz
爵士乐
juéshì yuè
Peking opera
京剧
jīngjù
pop
流行音乐
liúxíng yīnyuè
rock
摇滚
yāogǔn
world music
国际民谣音乐
guójì mínyáo yīnyuè
Planning to go to a concert? See tickets and going out.
the main games

In China you won’t go far without seeing groups of people (often retired
men) in public places such as teahouses or parks playing either board
games or cards. The most popular game is Mahjong májiàng 麻将. The
shuffling of Mahjong tiles is often accompanied by the hum of
conversation which sometimes becomes animated as money is won or lost
on the game.
Some claim that the game of chess was invented in China. While this
claim is hard to prove it is true that both Chinese chess xiàngqí 象棋 and
international chess guójì xiàngqí 国际象棋 are very popular. The Chinese
love of gambling extends to numerous forms of card games pūkè pái 扑克
牌 with bridge being very popular.

cinema & theatre
电影与戏剧
I feel like going to a …

我想去看……
Wǒ xiǎngqù kàn …
Did you like the …?
ballet
芭蕾
bālěi
film
电影
diànyǐng
play
戏剧
xìjù
What’s showing at the cinema/theatre tonight?
今晚影剧院有什么节目？
Jīnwǎn yǐnjùyuàn yǒu shénme jiémù?
Is it in English?
是英文版吗？
Shì Yīngwén bǎn ma?
Does it have (English) subtitles?
有(英文)字幕吗？
Yǒu (Yīngwén) zìmù ma?
Is this seat taken?
这座有人吗？
Zhè zuò yǒu rén ma?
Have you seen …?

你看过……吗？
Nǐ kànguò … ma?
Who’s in it?
是谁演的？
Shì shéi yǎnde?
It stars …
主角是……
Zhǔjué shì …
I thought it was …
我觉得……
Wǒ juéde …
excellent
很好看
hěn hǎokàn
long
有点长
yǒu diǎn cháng
OK
还行
háixíng
I (don’t) like …
我(不)喜欢……
Wǒ (bù)xǐhuān …
action movies
动作片
dòngzuò piàn
animated films

动画片
dònghuà piàn
Chinese cinema
中国电影
Zhōngguó diànyǐng
comedies
喜剧片
xǐjù piàn
documentaries
纪录片
jìlù piàn
drama
戏剧
xìjù
Hong Kong cinema
香港电影
Xiānggǎng diànyǐng
horror movies
恐怖片
kǒngbù piàn
kung fu movies
武打片
wǔdǎ piàn
sci-fi movies
科幻片
kēhuàn piàn
short films
短篇电影
duǎnpiān diànyǐng
thrillers
惊险片

jīngxiǎn piàn
war movies
战争片
zhànzhēng piàn

feelings & opinions
感觉与见解
feelings
opinions
politics & social issues
the environment
feelings
感觉
Physical sensations (hot, hungry, etc) are expressed in the form ‘I am …’,
while sentiments (depressed, disappointed, etc) are expressed in the form ‘I
feel …’ . These phrases could come in handy as in China friendliness is
often expressed through an exaggerated concern for the welfare of others.
Are you cold?
你冷吗？
Nǐ lěng ma?
I’m cold.
我冷。
Wǒ lěng.
I’m not cold.

我不冷。

Wǒ bù lěng.
Are you hot?

你热吗？
Nǐ rè ma?
I’m hot.
我热。
Wǒ rè.
I’m not hot.

我不热。
Wǒ bù rè.
Are you hungry?

你饿吗？
Nǐ è ma?
I’m hungry.
我饿。
Wǒ è.
I’m not hungry.

我不饿。

Wǒ bù è.
Are you thirsty?

你渴吗？
Nǐ kě ma?
I’m thirsty.
我渴。
Wǒ kě.
I’m not thirsty.

我不渴。
Wǒ bù kě.
Are you tired?

你累吗？
Nǐ lèi ma?
I’m tired.
我累。
Wǒ lèi.
I’m not tired.

我不累。

Wǒ bù lèi.
Are you OK?

你还好吗？
Nǐ hái hǎo ma?
I’m not OK.

我不好。
Wǒ bù hǎo.
I’m OK.
我很好。
Wǒ hěn hǎo.
I (don’t) feel …
我(不)感到……
Wǒ (bù) gǎndào …
Do you feel …?
你感到……吗？
Nǐ gǎndào … ma?
annoyed
生气
shēngqì
disappointed
遗憾
yíhàn

happy
高兴
gāoxìng
sad
不高兴
bùgāoxìng
surprised
惊讶
jīngyà
worried
着急
zháojí
If feeling unwell, see health.
opinions
见解
Did you like it?

你觉得好吗？
Nǐ juéde hǎo ma?
What do you think of it?
你觉得怎么样？
Nǐ juéde zěnme yàng?
I thought it was …
我觉得……
Wǒ juéde …
It’s …
它……
Tā …
awful
很差劲

hěn chàjìn
beautiful
好美
hǎoměi
boring
很无聊
hěn wúliáo
great
很棒
hěn bàng
interesting
很有意思
hěn yǒu yìsi
OK
还行
háixíng
strange
奇怪
qíguài
mixed emotions
a little
有一点
yǒu yīdiǎn
I’m a little sad.
我有一点不高兴。
Wǒ yǒu yīdiǎn bùgāoxìng.
very
很
hěn

I’m very surprised.
我很惊讶。
Wǒ hěn jīngyà.
extremely
非常
fēicháng
I’m extremely happy.
我非常高兴。
Wǒ fēicháng gāoxìng.
politics & social issues

舆论与社会走势
When talking about social, political and environmental issues, keep in mind
that certain issues are too politically sensitive to discuss with strangers. In
addition, your status as a rich foreigner may affect how your questions are
understood. Unqualified criticism of things Chinese is not likely to win you
any friends.
Who do you vote for?
你投票给哪个党？
Nǐ tóupiào gěi nǎge dǎng?
I support the … party.
我支持……党。
Wǒ zhīchí … dǎng.
I’m a member of the … party.
我是……人士。
Wǒ shì … rénshì.
communist party
共产党
gòngchǎndǎng
conservative

保守派
bǎoshǒu pài
democratic forces
民主党派
mínzhǔ dǎngpài
green activists
环保
huánbǎo
leftist
左翼
zuǒyì
reformist
改革派
gǎigé pài
rightist
右翼
yòuyì
social democratic party
社会民主党
shèhuì mínzhǔ dǎng
socialist
社会党
shèhuì dǎng
Did you hear about …?
你听说过……吗？
Nǐ tīngshuōguò … ma?
Do you agree?
你同意吗？
Nǐ tóngyì ma?
I (don’t) agree with …
我(不)同意……

Wǒ (bù) tóngyì …
How do people feel about …?
人们觉得……怎么样？
Rénmen juéde … zěnmeyàng?
How can we protest against …?
我们该怎么对抗……？
Wǒmen gāi zěnme duìkàng …?
How can we support …?
我们该怎么支持……？
Wǒmen gāi zěnme zhīchí …?
abortion
堕胎
duòtāi
animal rights
动物权
dòngwùquán
crime
犯罪活动
fànzuì huódòng
democracy
民主主义
mínzhǔ zhǔyì
discrimination
歧视
qíshì
drugs
毒品
dúpǐn
the economy
经济
jīngjì

education
教育
jiàoyù
the environment
环境
huánjìng
equal opportunity
平等待遇
píngděng dàiyù
euthanasia
安乐死
ānlèsǐ
Falun Gong
法轮功
Fǎlúngōng
family planning
计划生育
jìhuà shēngyù
foreign investment
境外投资
jìngwài tóuzī
globalisation
全球化
quánqiúhuà
government policies in Xinjiang/Tibet
边疆政策
biānjiāng zhèngcè
human rights
人权
rénquán
indigenous issues

土著人问题
tǔzhùrén wèntí
inequality
不平等
bù píngděng
party politics
党派斗争
dǎngpài dòuzhēng
privatisation
私有化
sīyǒuhuà
racism
种族歧视
zhǒngzú qíshì
relations with Taiwan
海峡两岸关系
hǎixiá liǎng’àn guānxì
sexism
大男人主义
dà nánrén zhǔyì
social welfare
社会福利
shèhuì fúlì
the war in …
……战争
… zhànzhēng
terrorism
恐怖主义
kǒngbù zhǔyì
unemployment
下岗问题

xiàgǎng wèntí
US foreign policy
美国对外政策
Měiguó duìwài zhèngcè
damage control
If someone looks worried that they may have offended you, try letting
them know that everything is OK with a long, slow méishì 没事 (‘No
problem.’). If you’re worried that you may have caused offence, turn this
into a question Méishì ba? 没事吧？ (‘There’s no problem, is there?’). If
you’re worried that they might have meant to cause offence, then ask
Yǒushì ma? 有事吗？ (‘Got a problem?’) to find out for sure. Armed with
these phrases you should be able to remedy any awkward situations that
you might find yourself in.
the environment
环境
You may find that concern about many issues, including environmental
ones, is very far removed from the minds of most Chinese who contend
with more pressing issues of local importance.
Is there a … problem here?
本地有……问题吗？
Běn dì yǒu … wèntí ma?
What should be done about …?
……应该怎么处理？
… yīnggāi zěnme chǔlǐ?
conservation
环保
huánbǎo
deforestation
乱砍乱伐

luànkǎn luànfá
drought
干旱
gānhàn
ecosystem
生态环境
shēngtài huánjìng
endangered species
濒危物种
bīnwēi wùzhǒng
genetically modified food
转基因食品
zhuǎnjīyīn shípǐn
hunting
狩猎
shòuliè
hydroelectricity
水发电
shuǐfādiàn
irrigation
农业水利
nóngyè shuǐlì
nuclear energy
核发电
hé fādiàn
nuclear testing
核试验
hé shìyàn
ozone layer
臭氧层
chòuyǎngcéng

pesticides
农药
nóngyào
pollution
污染
wūrǎn
poverty
贫困问题
pínkùn wèntí
recycling programme
回收措施
huíshōu cuòshī
the Three Gorges Project
三峡工程
sānxiá gōngchéng
toxic waste
有毒废物
yǒudú fèiwù
water supply
水资源
shuǐ zīyuán
Is this a protected …?
这个是被保护……吗？
Zhège shì bèibǎohù de … ma?
forest
森林
sēnlín
park
公园
gōngyuán
species

物种
wùzhǒng

going out
出去玩
where to go
invitations
responding to invitations
arranging to meet
drugs
where to go
去哪儿
What’s there to do in the evenings?

晚上有什么好玩的吗？
Wǎnshàng yǒu shénme hǎowán de ma?
What’s on …?
……有什么活动？
… yǒu shénme huódòng?
this weekend
这个周末
Zhège zhōumò
today
今天
Jīntiān
tonight
今天晚上
Jīntiān wǎnshàng

Where can I find …?
……怎么找？
… zěnme zhǎo?
Where can I find a gay venue?

同志吧怎么找？
Tóngzhìbā zěnme zhǎo?
Where can I find a pub?

酒吧怎么找？
Jiǔbā zěnme zhǎo?
Where can I find clubs?

夜总会怎么找？
Yèzǒnghuì zěnme zhǎo?
Where can I find places to eat?
吃饭的地方怎么找？
Chīfàn de dìfang zěnme zhǎo?
Is there a local … guide?
有没有本地的……指南？
Yǒuméiyǒu běndì de … zhǐnán?
entertainment
娱乐
yúlè

film
电影
diànyǐng
music
音乐
yīnyuè
I feel like going to a concert.
我想去听音乐会。
Wǒ xiǎng qù tīng yīnyuè huì.
I feel like going to the movies.

我想去看电影。
Wǒ xiǎng qù kàn diànyǐng.
I feel like going to a party.

我想去参加聚会。
Wǒ xiǎng qù cānjiā jùhuì.
I feel like going to the theatre.

我想去看演出。
Wǒ xiǎng qù kàn yǎnchū.

I feel like going to a …
我想到……去。
Wǒ xiǎng dào … qù.
bar/pub
酒吧
jiǔbā
café
咖啡屋
kāfēiwū
nightclub
夜总会
yèzǒnghuì
restaurant
饭馆
fànguǎn
I feel like going to …
我想去……
Wǒ xiǎng qù …
see Peking opera
看京剧
kàn jīngjù
see some acrobats
看杂技
kàn zájì
sing karaoke
唱卡拉OK
chàng kālā ōkèi
watch a ballet
看芭蕾
kàn bālěi
street beat

In China’s crowded cities, a lot of life – particularly in summer – is lived
out on the streets and in the precious open spaces and parks. An evening’s
entertainment might consist of activities such as kite flying (fàng
fēngzheng 放风筝) or playing pool (dǎtáiqiú 打台球). In the warmer
months, young people indulge in open-air dancing to rock music (bēngdí
蹦迪) while older people gather in the parks for ballroom dancing sessions
(tiào jiāoyì wǔ 跳交谊舞).
invitations
邀请
What are you doing …?

你……做什么?
Nǐ … zuò shénme?
now
现在
xiànzài
this weekend
这个周末
zhège zhōumò
tonight
今天晚上
jīntiān wǎnshàng
Would you like to go (for a) …?
你想去……吗？
Nǐ xiǎng qù … ma?
I feel like going (for a) …
我想去……
Wǒ xiǎng qù …
banquet
大吃大喝
dàchī dàhē

coffee
喝咖啡
hē kāfēi
dancing
跳舞
tiàowǔ
drink
喝酒
hējiǔ
meal
吃饭
chīfàn
out somewhere
外面玩儿
wàimian wánr
walk
散步
sànbù
The drinks are on me.

我请客。
Wǒ qǐngkè.
Do you know a good restaurant?
你知道哪里有好饭店？
Nǐ zhīdào nǎli yǒu hǎo fàndiàn?
Do you want to come to the concert with me?
你想跟我去音乐会吗？
Nǐ xiǎng gēn wǒ qù yīnyuè huì ma?
We’re having a party/banquet.

我们要开聚会/宴会。
Wǒmen yàokāi jùhuì/yànhuì.
You should come.
你应该来。
Nǐ yīnggāi lái.
responding to invitations
答复
Sure!
好！
Hǎo!
Yes, I’d love to.
好,我愿意。
Hǎo, wǒ yuànyì.
That’s very kind of you.
你太客气了。
Nǐ tài kèqi le.
Where shall we go?
我们到哪儿去？
Wǒmen dàonǎr qù?
No, I’m afraid I can’t.
不行,我不能来。
Bùxíng, wǒ bùnéng lái.
Sorry, I can’t sing/dance.
不好意思,我不会唱歌/跳舞。
Bùhǎo yìsi, wǒ bùhuì chànggē/tiàowǔ.
What about tomorrow?
明天行吗？
Míngtiān xíng ma?

arranging to meet
约人
What time will we meet?

几点钟碰头？
Jǐdiǎnzhōng pèngtóu?
Where will we meet?
在哪里碰头？
Zài nǎli pèngtóu?
Let’s meet at …
我们在……见面。
Wǒmen zài … jiànmiàn.
(eight) o’clock
(八)点钟
(bā)diǎn zhōng
the entrance
门口
ménkǒu
I’ll pick you up.
我来接你。
Wǒ lái jiē nǐ.
Are you ready?
准备好了吗？
Zhǔnbèi hǎo le ma?
I’m ready.
准备好了。
Zhǔnbèi hǎo le.

I’ll be coming later.
我要晚一点来。
Wǒ yào wǎnyīdiǎn lái.
Where will you be?
我在哪里找你？
Wǒ zài nǎli zhǎo nǐ?
If I’m not there by (nine) o’clock, don’t wait for me.
如果到了(九)点钟我还没来,就不要等我。
Rúguǒ dàole (jiǔ)diǎn zhōng wǒ hái méilái, jiù bùyào děngwǒ.
OK!
好了！
Hǎo le!
I’ll see you then.
不见不散。
Bùjiàn bùsàn.
See you later/tomorrow.
以后/明天见。
Yǐhòu/Míngtiān jiàn.
I’m looking forward to it.
我期待它的到来。
Wǒ qīdài tāde dàolái.
Sorry I’m late.
不好意思,来晚了。
Bùhǎo yìsi, láiwǎn le.
Never mind.
没事。
Méishì.

drugs
毒品
I don’t take drugs.

我不吸毒。
Wǒ bù xīdú.
I take … occasionally.
我偶尔吃……
Wǒ ǒu’ěr chī …
Do you want to have a smoke?
想抽一点吗？
Xiǎng chōuyīdiǎn ma?
Do you have a light?
有火吗？
Yǒu huǒ ma?
This drug is for personal use.
这个药品是私用的。
Zhège yàopǐn shì sīyòngde.

romance
罗曼史
asking someone out

pick-up lines
rejections
getting closer
sex
love
problems
asking someone out

约人出去玩
Where would you like to go (tonight)?

(今天晚上)想去哪里玩？
(Jīntiān wǎnshàng) xiǎng qù nǎli wán?
Would you like to do something (tomorrow)?
(明天)想出去玩吗？
(Míngtiān) xiǎng chūqù wán ma?
Yes, I’d love to.
好啊,很想去。
Hǎo a, hěn xiǎngqù.
I’m busy.
对不起,我有事。
Duìbùqǐ, wǒ yǒushì.

local talk
He’s …
他真是个……
Tā zhēnshì ge …
a bastard
混蛋
húndàn
hot
帅哥
shuàigē
She’s …
她真是个……
Tā zhēnshì ge …
a bitch
婊子
biǎozi
cute
靓妹
liàngmèi
What a babe!
哇,真可爱！
Wa, zhēn kě’ài!
He/She gets around.
他/她心不专一。
Tā xīn bù zhuānyī.
pick-up lines

调情
Would you like a drink?

你想喝点什么?
Nǐ xiǎng hē diǎn shénme?
You look like some cousin of mine.
你长得像我(的)表妹。
Nǐ zhǎngde xiàng wǒ(de) biǎomèi.
You’re a fantastic dancer.
你跳得真好。
Nǐ tiàode zhēnhǎo.
Can I …?
我能……吗？
Wǒ néng … ma?
be with you forever
陪你一起到老
péinǐ yīqǐ dàolǎo
dance with you
跟你跳个舞
gēnnǐ tiàogewǔ
sit here
坐这儿
zuò zhèr
rejections
被拒绝

I’m here with my boyfriend/girlfriend.
我同男朋友/女朋友一起来的。
Wǒ tóng nánpéngyou/nǚpéngyou yīqǐ lái de.
Excuse me, I have to go now.
对不起,我要走了。
Duìbùqǐ, wǒ yào zǒule.
I’d rather not.
我不想。
Wǒ bù xiǎng.
No, thank you.
不行,谢谢。
Bùxíng, xièxie.
getting closer
拉近关系
I like you very much.

我很喜欢你。
Wǒ hěn xǐhuān nǐ.
You’re great.
你真棒。
Nǐ zhēn bàng.
Let’s kiss!
咱们亲一下！
Zánmen qīnyīxià!
Do you want to come inside for a while?
想进来坐坐吗？
Xiǎng jìnlái zuòzuo ma?
Do you want a massage?
你想按摩吗？
Nǐ xiǎng ànmó ma?

local talk
Go and play (somewhere else)!
到一边玩去！
Dào yībiān wán qù!
Leave me alone!
别烦我！
Bié fán wǒ!
Piss off!
滚开！
Gǔnkāi!
sex
行房
Do you have a (condom)?

你带(避孕套)了吗？
Nǐ dài (bìyùntào) le ma?
Let’s use a (condom).
咱们用(避孕套)吧。
Zánmen yòng (bìyùntào) ba.
I won’t do it without protection.
没有防备,我不玩。
Méiyǒu fángbèi, wǒ bù wán.
Kiss me!
亲我！
Qīn wǒ!
I want you.
我要你。
Wǒ yào nǐ.
I want to make love to you.
我想跟你做爱。

Wǒ xiǎng gēnnǐ zuò’ài.
It’s my first time.
这是我的第一次。
Zhè shì wǒde dìyīcì.
Don’t worry, I’ll do it myself.
没事,我自己来。
Méishì, wǒ zìjǐ lái.
How about going to bed?
咱们上床,好吗？
Zánmen shàngchuáng, hǎo ma?
Touch me here.
摸我这儿。
Mō wǒ zhèr.
Do you like this?
喜欢这样吗？
Xǐhuān zhèyàng ma?
I (don’t) like that.
我(不)喜欢这样。
Wǒ (bù) xǐhuān zhèyàng.
I think we should stop now.
我想我们现在该结束了。
Wǒ xiǎng wǒmen xiànzài gāi jiéshù le.
Oh yeah!
真是!
Zhēn shì!
That’s great!
真棒!
Zhēnbàng!
Easy tiger!
慢点来!
Màndiǎn lái!

That was …
刚才真……
Gāngcái zhēn …
amazing
不可思议
bùkě sīyì
weird
有点奇怪
yǒudiǎn qíguài
wild
疯狂
fēngkuáng
Can I …?
我可以……吗？
Wǒ kěyǐ … ma?
call you
给你打电话
gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà
see you
见你
jiànnǐ
stay over
在这儿过夜
zài zhèr guòyè
love
爱情
I love you.
我爱你。
Wǒ ài nǐ.

I think we’re good together.
我觉得我们俩挺般配。
Wǒ juéde wǒmen liǎ tǐng bānpèi.
Will you …?
你能……吗？
Nǐ néng … ma?
go out with me
跟我谈朋友
gēn wǒ tán péngyou
live with me
跟我住一起
gēn wǒ zhù yīqǐ
marry me
跟我结婚
gēn wǒ jiéhūn
yesterday’s comrade
Following the Communist Revolution, the officially sanctioned term of
address for both men and women was ‘comrade’ (tóngzhì 同志). In today’s
China this word isn’t commonly used as a term of address and has
undergone a shift in meaning – yesterday’s ‘comrade’ is now a slang word
for ‘gay’.
This is a kind of play on words, as the literal meaning of ‘comrade’ in
Chinese is ‘of the same mindset’. While in revolutionary circles this
mindset entailed a vision of a new society, today’s mindset is a particular
vision of sexuality. The self-appellation of tóngzhì as used by China’s gay
community can be seen as a subversive means of self-empowerment,
challenging the more official tag of ‘homosexual’ (tóngxìng liàn 同性恋
lit: same sex love).
problems
出问题

Are you seeing someone else?
你有别的朋友吗？
Nǐ yǒu biéde péngyou ma?
He/She is just a friend.
他/她只是普通朋友。
Tā zhǐshì pǔtōng péngyou.
You’re just using me for sex.
你只是用我发泄情欲。
Nǐ zhǐshì yòngwǒ fāxiè qíngyù.
I never want to see you again.
我再也不想见到你。
Wǒ zàiyě bùxiǎng jiàndào nǐ.
I don’t think it’s working out.
咱们谈得有点不大对头了。
Zánmen tánde yǒudiǎn bùdà duìtóu le.
We’ll work it out.
我们可以另找出路。
Wǒmen kěyǐ lìngzhǎo chūlù.
body language
Beware of inadvertently sending the wrong signals with your body
language while in China. Squeezing hard on people’s hands when shaking
hands is known to be an attribute of scary, hairy foreigners. Chinese
handshakes are soft – more of a gentle clasp really. Foreigners staring at
locals while speaking to them is also off-putting as the norm in China is
not to look people in the eye when talking to them. When someone is
addressing you, however, it’s all right to look at them.
Don’t be put off by people gesturing at their noses as if they have an itch.
The nose, as opposed to the heart, is the symbolic centre of the self in
China. Don’t kiss anyone by way of greeting unless you want to frighten
or titillate as it’s not socially acceptable.

beliefs & cultural differences
信仰与文化差异
religion
cultural differences
religion
信仰
What’s your religion?

你信什么教？
Nǐ xìn shénme jiào?
Are you religious?
你信教吗？
Nǐ xìnjiào ma?
I’m …
我信……
Wǒ xìn …
agnostic
不可知论
bùkězhī lùn
an atheist

无神论
wúshénlùn
Buddhist
佛教
Fójiào
Catholic
天主教
Tiānzhǔjiào
Christian
基督教
Jīdūjiào
Hindu
印度教
Yìndùjiào
Jewish
犹太教
Yóutàijiào
Muslim
伊斯兰教
Yīsīlánjiào
I (don’t) believe in …
我(不)信……
Wǒ (bù) xìn …
astrology
星象
xīngxiàng
fate
命运
mìngyùn
fengshui
风水

fēngshuǐ
God
上帝
shàngdì
Confucianism
儒教
Rújiào
Daoism
道教
Dàojiào
Falun Gong
法轮功
Fǎlúngōng
Can I … here?
我能……在这里吗？
Wǒ néng … zài zhèlǐ ma?
Where can I …?
我在哪里可以……?
Wǒ zài nǎli kěyǐ …?
attend a service
做礼拜
zuò lǐbài
pray
祈祷
qǐdǎo
meditate
静坐
jìngzuò
cultural differences
文化差异

Is this a local custom?
这是地方风俗吗？
Zhè shì dìfāng fēngsú ma?
I don’t want to offend you.
我不想得罪你们。
Wǒ bù xiǎng dézuì nǐmen.
I’m not used to this.
我没有这个习惯。
Wǒ méiyǒu zhège xíguàn.
I’d rather not join in.
我最好不参加。
Wǒ zuìhǎo bù cānjiā.
I’ll try it.
我可以试试。
Wǒ kěyǐ shìshi.
I didn’t mean to do anything wrong.
我不想做错什么。
Wǒ bùxiǎng zuòcuò shénme.
I’m sorry, it’s against my …
不好意思，这是违背我的……的。
Bùhǎo yìsi, zhèshì wéibèi wǒde … de.
beliefs
信仰
xìnyǎng
religion
宗教
zōngjiào
This is …
这有点……
Zhè yǒudiǎn …
different

与众不同
yǔzhòng bùtóng
fun
好玩
hǎowán
interesting
意思
yìsi

art
艺术
When does the gallery open?

艺术馆几点开门？
Yìshùguǎn jǐdiǎn kāimén?
When does the museum open?
博物馆几点开门？
Bówùguǎn jǐdiǎn kāimén?
What kind of art are you interested in?
你喜欢什么样的艺术？
Nǐ xǐhuān shénmeyàng de yìshù?
What’s in the collection?
这里收藏了什么？
Zhè lǐ shōucáng le shénme?
What do you think of …?

你觉得……怎么样？
Nǐ juéde … zěnmeyàng?
It’s a/an … exhibition.
是一个……展览。
Shì yīge … zhǎnlǎn.
I’m interested in …
我对……感兴趣。
Wǒ duì … gǎnxìngqù.

I like the works of …
我喜欢……的作品。
Wǒ xǐhuān … de zuòpǐn.
It reminds me of …
让我想到……
Ràng wǒ xiǎngdào …
… art
……艺术
… yìshù
comic
漫画
mànhuà
graphic
版画
bǎnhuà
modern
现代派
xiàndài pài
postmodern
后现代
hòuxiàndài
realist
现实主义
xiànshí zhǔyì
performance
演示
yǎnshì
Western
西方
Xīfāng
artwork

艺术品
yìshù pǐn
bronze
青铜器
qīngtóngqì
calligraphy
书法
shūfǎ
ceramics
陶瓷
táocí
Cultural Revolution
文化大革命
wénhuà dàgémìng
curator
策划者
cèhuà zhě
design
设计
shèjì
dynasty
王朝
wángcháo
etching
铜版画
tóngbǎnhuà
exhibit
展出
zhǎnchū
exhibition hall
展览馆

zhǎnlǎnguǎn
jade
玉器
yùqì
installation
多媒体
duōméitǐ
opening
开幕
kāimù
painter
画家
huàjiā
painting
画儿
huàr
period
时代
shídài
permanent collection
普通展览
pǔtōng zhǎnlǎn
print
印刷
yìnshuā
scriptures
经书
jīngshū
scroll
国画
guóhuà

sculptor
雕塑家
diāosù jiā
sculpture
雕塑
diāosù
statue
塑像
sùxiàng
studio
工作室
gōngzuòshì
style
风格
fēnggé
technique
方法
fāngfǎ
woodblock print
木刻
mùkè

sport
体育
sporting interests
going to a game
playing sport
extreme sports
fishing
golf
soccer
table tennis
tennis
sporting interests
体育活动
In Mandarin any sport can be ‘played’ using the verb wán 玩 but generally
this has light-hearted connotations, as in ‘to have a kick of the ball’. If you
want to express such a playful interest in sport then use these two phrases
below:
I play/do …
我喜欢玩……
Wǒ xǐhuān wán …
What sport do you play?
你喜欢玩什么体育项目？
Nǐ xǐhuān wán shénme tǐyù xiàngmù?

To say that you really play a sport, you need to use an appropriate verb such
as ‘hit’ (dǎ 打) or ‘kick’ (tī 踢). Some sports (such as gymnastics and
martial arts) are identified not by hits or kicks but by the rigorous ‘repetitive
training’ (liàn 练) required of the practitioner. The verb ‘do’ (gǎo 搞) can
be used when you’re not sure whether you should hit, kick or train harder
(as in cycling or athletics).
sports that take dǎ 打 (hit)

I play/do …
我喜欢打……
Wǒ xǐhuān dǎ …
I follow …
我喜欢看……
Wǒ xǐhuān kàn …
(beach) volleyball
(沙滩)排球
(shātān) páiqiú
badminton
羽毛球
yǔmáoqiú
basketball
篮球
lánqiú
handball
手球
shǒuqiú
hockey
曲棍球
qūgùnqiú
table tennis
乒乓球

pīngpāng qiú
tennis
网球
wǎngqiú
water polo
水球
shuǐqiú
sports that take tī 踢 (kick)

I play/do …
我喜欢踢……
Wǒ xǐhuān tī …
I follow …
我喜欢看……
American football
美式橄榄球
Měishì gǎnlǎnqiú
Australian Rules football
澳式橄榄球
Àoshì gǎnlǎnqiú
football (soccer)
足球
zúqiú
rugby
英式橄榄球
Yīngshì gǎnlǎnqiú
sports that take gǎo 搞 (do)

I play/do …

我喜欢搞……
Wǒ xǐhuān gǎo …
I follow …
我喜欢看……
archery
射箭
shèjiàn
fencing
剑术
jiànshù
long distance running
长跑
chángpǎo
rowing
划船
huáchuán
sailing
帆船
fānchuán
scuba diving
潜水
qiánshuǐ
shooting
射击
shèjī
swimming
游泳
yóuyǒng
track & field
田径

tiánjìng
weightlifting
举重
jǔzhòng
sports that take liàn 练 (rigorous training)

I play/do …
我喜欢练……
Wó xǐhuān liàn …
I follow …
我喜欢看……
Wó xǐhuān kàn …
gymnastics
体操
tǐcāo
judo
柔道
róudào
karate
空手道
kōngshǒudào
martial arts (Chinese kung fu)
武术(中国功夫)
wǔshù (Zhōngguó gōngfu)
taekwondo
跆拳道
táiquándào
tai chi
太极拳
tàijíquán

martial arts (Chinese kung fu)
In Mandarin, the many styles of martial arts are collectively known as
wǔshù (Zhōngguó gōngfu) 武术(中国功夫). Each style embodies its own
particular spirit and philosophy (drawing on Confuscianism, Taoism,
Buddhism and Zen). Here are a few styles that travellers to China may see:
Bagua Zhang
八卦掌
Bāguà zhǎng
(Eight-Trigram Boxing)
The characteristics of this martial art style, in which practitioners wheel
around in circles kicking and landing palm strikes, are the skills of
subterfuge, evasion, speed and unpredictability.
Shaolin Boxing
少林拳
Shàolín quán
Originating at Shaolin monastery and still practised there today, this major
martial art form draws on Zen Buddhist beliefs and bases its forms on five
animals: dragon, snake, tiger, leopard and crane.
Taijiquan
太极拳
Tàijíquán
Known in the West as tai chi, this graceful centuries-old Chinese system
promotes flexibility, circulation, strength, balance, meditation and
relaxation. Based on Taoist beliefs, it’s traditionally practiced as a form of
self-defence without the use of force.
Xingyi Quan
形意拳
Xíngyì quán

(Body-Mind Boxing)
Often mentioned in the same breath as taijiquan this martial art is more
dynamic and powerful. The movements of this – perhaps the oldest form
of martial art still practised in China – are performed in a relaxed state but
quickly and directly.
I like to …
我喜欢……
Wǒ xǐhuān …
cycle
骑自行车
qí zìxíngchē
run
跑步
pǎobù
walk
散步
sànbù
Who’s your favourite …?
你最喜欢的……是谁？
Nǐ zuì xǐhuān de … shì shéi?
sportsperson
球星
qiúxīng
team
球队
qiúduì
Do you like to play (table tennis)?
你喜欢打(乒乓球)吗？
Nǐ xǐhuān dǎ (pīngpāngqiú) ma?
Yes, very much.
很喜欢。

Hěn xǐhuān.
Not really.
不太喜欢。
Bùtài xǐhuān.
I like watching it.
我喜欢看。
Wǒ xǐhuān kàn.
scoring
What’s the score?
几比几？
Jǐbǐjǐ?
draw/even
打平
dǎ píng
love/zero
零
líng
match-point
赛点
sàidiǎn
going to a game
看球
Would you like to go to a game with me?

你想跟我去看球赛吗？
Nǐ xiǎng gēn wǒ qù kàn qiúsài ma?
Who are you supporting?
你支持哪个队？
Nǐ zhīchí nǎge duì?

Who’s …?
谁……？
Shéi …?
playing
在打
zài dǎ
winning
占上风
zhànshàngfēng
That was a … game!
比赛打得真……！
Bǐsài dǎde zhēn …!
bad
差劲
chàjìn
boring
无聊
wúliáo
great
精彩
jīngcǎi
sports talk
Come on!
加油！
Jiāyóu!
What a goal!
进门！
Jìnmén!
What a hit!
好球！

Hǎoqiú!
What a kick!
踢得好！
Tīde hǎo!
What a pass!
传得好!
Chuánde hǎo!
What a performance!
真精彩！
Zhēn jīngcǎi!
playing sport
玩球
Do you want to play?

你想玩吗？
Nǐ xiǎng wán ma?
Can I join in?
我可以跟你们一起玩吗？
Wǒ kěyǐ gēn nǐmen yīqǐ wán ma?
That would be great.
好。
Hǎo.
I can’t.
我不能。
Wǒ bù néng.
I have an injury.
我受伤了。

Wǒ shòushāng le.
Your/My point.
你/我得分。
Nǐ/Wǒ dé fēn.
Kick/Pass it to me!
踢/传给我！
Tī/Chuán gěi wǒ!
You’re a good player.
你打得很好。
Nǐ dǎde hěnhǎo.
Thanks, I enjoyed the game.
多谢你,我打得很开心。
Duōxiè nǐ, wǒ dǎ de hěn kāixīn.
Do I have to be a member to attend?
只对会员开放吗？
Zhǐ duì huìyuán kāifàng ma?
Is there a women-only session?
有女子班吗？
Yǒu nǚzǐ bān ma?
Where are the changing rooms?
更衣室在哪儿？
Gēngyīshì zài nǎr?
最近的……在哪里？
Zuìjìnde … zài nǎli?
golf course
高尔夫场
gāo’ěrfū chǎng
gym
健美中心
jiànměi zhōngxīn

swimming pool
游泳池
yóuyǒng chí
tennis court
网球场
wǎngqiú chǎng
What’s the charge per …?
每……要花多少钱？
Měi … yàohuā duōshǎo qián?
day
天
tiān
game
场
chǎng
hour
小时
xiǎoshí
visit
次
cì
Can I hire a …?
我可以租一……吗？
Wǒ kěyǐ zūyī … ma?
ball
个球
ge qiú
bicycle
辆自行车
liàng zìxíngchē
court

个场地
ge chǎngdì
racquet
副拍子
fù pāizi
extreme sports
刺激运动
I’d like to go …
我想去……
Wǒ xiǎng qù …
get some kicks
找刺激
zhǎo cìjī
rock-climbing
攀岩
pānyán
skydiving
跳伞
tiàosǎn
snowboarding
滑雪
huáxuě
The rope will hold, won’t it?
绳子没事吧？
Shéngzi méishì ba?
This is insane!
疯了！
Fēngle!

fishing
钓鱼
Where are the good spots?

到哪里钓鱼比较好？
Dàonǎli diàoyú bǐjiào hǎo?
Do I need a fishing permit?
需要执照吗？
Xūyào zhízhào ma?
What’s the best bait?
最好的鱼饵是什么？
Zuìhǎode yú’ěr shì shénme?
Are they biting?
有人钓到鱼了吗？
Yǒu rén diàodào yú le ma?
golf
高尔夫球
How much …?
打……多少钱？
Dǎ … duōshǎo qián?
for a round
一场
yīchǎng
to play 9/18 holes
9洞/18洞
jiǔdòng/shíbādòng
Can I hire golf clubs?
能租到球棍吗？
Néng zūdào qiúgùn ma?

What’s the dress code?
要注意穿衣服吗？
Yào zhùyì chuānyīfu ma?
Do I need golf shoes?
需要高尔夫球鞋吗？
Xūyào gāo’ěrfū qiúxié ma?
Do I need to hire a golf cart/caddie?
需要请球车/球童吗？
Xūyào qǐng qiúchē/qiútóng ma?
Fore!
看球！
Kànqiú!
bunker
沙坑
shākēng
flag
旗子
qízi
golf cart
球车
qiúchē
golf course
高尔夫场
gāo’ěrfū chǎng
golf ball
高尔夫球
gāo’ěrfū qiú
green
草坪
cǎopíng
hole

球洞
qiúdòng
hole in one
一杆进洞
yīgǎn jìndòng
iron
铁杆
tiěgān
putter
推杆
tuīgān
tee
球座
qiúzuò
teeing ground
发球台
fāqiútái
wood
木杆
mùgān
soccer
足球
Who plays for (Beijing Guo An)?

(北京国安)有哪些球星？
(Běijīng guó‘ān) yǒu nǎxiē qiúxīng?
He plays well.

他踢得很棒。
Tā tīde hěn bàng.
He played brilliantly in the match against (Italy).
他在(意大利)那场踢得很精彩。
Tā zài (Yìdàlì) nàchǎng tīde hěn jīngcǎi.
Which team is at the top of the league?
哪个队得第一名？
Nǎge duì dé dìyīmíng?
What a great/terrible team!
这个队真棒/臭！
Zhège duì zhēn bàng/chòu!
ball
球
qiú
coach
教练
jiàoliàn
corner
角球
jiǎoqiú
expulsion
决胜场
juéshèngchǎng
fan
球迷
qiúmí
foul
犯规
fànguī
free kick
任意球

rènyì qiú
goal
进门
jìnmén
goalkeeper
守门
shǒumén
manager
经理
jīnglǐ
offside
越位
yuèwèi
penalty
点球
diǎnqiú
player
球员
qiúyuán
red card
红牌
hóngpái
referee
裁判
cáipàn
striker
前锋
qiánfēng
throw in
边球
biānqiú

yellow card
黄牌
huángpái
table tennis
乒乓球
I’d like to play table tennis.

我想打乒乓球。
Wǒ xiǎng dǎ pīngpāng qiú.
Do you know where a table tennis table is?
哪里有乒乓球桌?
Nǎli yǒu pīngpāng qiú zhuō?
Can I book a table?
我可以预订一个乒乓球桌吗?
Wǒ kěyǐ yùdìng yīge pīngpāng qiú zhuō ma?
bat
拍子
pāizi
net
网
wǎng
serve
发球
fāqiú
table
球桌
qiúzhuō
table tennis ball
乒乓球
pīngpāng qiú

tennis
网球
I’d like to play tennis.

我想打网球。
Wǒ xiǎng dǎ wǎngqiú.
Can we play at night?
今天晚上可以打吗？
Jīntiān wǎnshàng kěyǐ dǎ ma?
I need my racquet restrung.
我拍子要换线。
Wǒ pāizi yào huànxiàn.
ace
爱司球
àisī qiú
advantage
领先
lǐngxiān
clay
土场
tǔchǎng
fault
失误
shīwù
game, set, match
局,盘,赛
jú, pán, sài
grass
草场
cǎochǎng
net

擦网
cāwǎng
racquet
拍子
pāizi
serve
发球
fāqiú
set
盘
pán
tennis
网球
wǎngqiú
tennis court
网球场
wǎngqiú chǎng

outdoors
野外
hiking
beach
weather
flora & fauna
hiking
徒步旅行
Where can I …?
在哪里能……？
Zài nǎli néng …?
buy supplies
买到预备品
mǎidào yùbèipǐn
find someone who knows this area
找路熟的人
zhǎo lùshú de rén
get a map
买地图
mǎi dìtú
Do we need to take …?
需要带上……吗？
Xūyào dàishàng … ma?
bedding

被褥
bèirù
food
食品
shípǐn
water
饮用水
yǐnyòngshuǐ
How high is the climb?

山有多高?
Shān yǒu duō gāo?
How long is the trail?
步行有多远?
Bùxíng yǒu duō yuǎn?
Do we need a guide?
需要向导吗?
Xūyào xiàngdǎo ma?
Are there guided treks?
有徒步旅行团吗?
Yǒu túbù lǚxíng tuán ma?
Is it safe?
安全吗？
Ānquán ma?
Is the track …?
路……吗？
Lù … ma?
easy to follow

好找
hǎozhǎo
open
开通了
kāitōng le
scenic
边风景好
biān fēngjǐng hǎo
Which is the … route?
哪条路最……？
Nǎtiáo lù zuì …?
easiest
容易
róngyì
most interesting
有意思
yǒu yìsi
shortest
短
duǎn
Is there somewhere to spend the night?

有地方住吗？
Yǒu dìfāng zhù ma?
When does it get dark?
天什么时候变黑？
Tiān shénme shíhòu biànhēi?
Where’s the nearest village?
最近的村子在哪里?

Zuìjìn de cūnzi zài nǎli?
Where have you come from?
你从哪边过来的？
Nǐ cóng nǎbiān guòlái de?
How long did it take?
走了有多久？
Zǒule yǒu duōjiǔ?
Does this path go to …?
这条路到……吗？
Zhètiáo lù dào … ma?
Can I go through here?
我能从这里穿过吗？
Wǒ néng cóng zhèlǐ chuānguò ma?
Is the water OK to drink?
这水能喝吗？
Zhè shuǐ nénghē ma?
I’m lost.
我迷路了。
Wǒ mílù le.
beach
沙滩
Where’s the … beach?

……在哪里?
… shātān zài nǎli?
best
最好的
Zuìhǎo de
nearest
最近的

Zuìjìn de
public
公共的
Gōnggòng de
Is it safe to swim here?
这里游泳安全吗？
Zhèlǐ yóuyǒng ānquán ma?
What time is high/low tide?
涨/退潮是几点钟？
Zhǎng/Tuì cháo shì jǐdiǎnzhōng?
Do we have to pay?
要买票吗？
Yào mǎipiào ma?
weather
气候
What’s the weather like?

天气怎么样？
Tiānqì zěnmeyàng?
What will the weather be like tomorrow?

明天天气会怎么样？
Míngtiān tiānqì huì zěnmeyàng?
It’s cold.
(天气)冷。
(Tiānqì) lěng
It’s hot.

(天气)热。
(Tiānqì) rè
It’s raining.
(天气)下雨。
(Tiānqì) xiàyǔ
It’s …
(天气)……
(Tiānqì) …
cloudy
多云
duō yún
fine
晴
qíng
freezing
很冷
hěnlěng
snowing
下雪
xiàxuě
sunny
很晒
hěnshài
warm
暖和
nuǎnhuo
windy

刮风
guāfēng
Where can I buy …?
在哪里能买到……？
Zài nǎli néng mǎidào …?
a rain jacket
雨衣
yǔyī
an umbrella
雨伞
yǔsǎn
dry season
旱季
hànjì
monsoon season
季风季节
jìfēng jìjié
wet season
雨季
yǔjì
flora & fauna

植物与动物
What … is that?
那个……是什么？
Nàge … shì shénme?
animal
动物
dòngwù
flower

花
huā
plant
植物
zhíwù
tree
树
shù
Is it …?
是……的吗？
Shì … de ma?
common
常见
chángjiàn
dangerous
危险
wēixiǎn
endangered
濒危
bīnwēi
protected
受保护
shòu bǎohù
What’s it used for?
它用来做什么？
Tā yònglái zuò shénme?
Can you eat the fruit?
果子能吃吗?
Guǒzi néngchī ma?
local plants & animals

giant panda
大熊猫
dà xióng māo
lotus
荷花
héhuā
peony
牡丹花
mǔdān huā
red-necked crane
丹顶鹤
dāndǐng hè
red panda
小熊猫
xiǎo xióng māo
Siberian tiger
东北虎
dōngběi hǔ

FOOD > eating out
饮食文化
key language
finding a place to eat
at the restaurant
at the table
talking food
breakfast
light meals
condiments
methods of preparation
in the bar
nonalcoholic drinks
alcoholic drinks
drinking up
key language
要点
Chinese meals come earlier than you may be used to, so get ready to wind
your stomach clock back a couple of hours. Lunch is the main meal of the
day and often includes a selection of stir-fried dishes and rice. Dinner is
much the same as lunch but often with beer taking the place of rice. All
meals are served hot – as hot food is believed to be better for the digestion.
breakfast
早饭

zǎofàn
lunch
午饭
wǔfàn
dinner
晚饭
wǎnfàn
snack
小吃
xiǎochī
to eat
吃
chī
to drink
喝
hē

I’m starving!
我饿坏了!
Wǒ è huài le!
finding a place to eat

寻香味
Can you recommend a bar?

你可以推荐一个酒吧吗？
Nǐ kěyǐ tuījiàn yīge jiǔbā ma?
Can you recommend a café?

你可以推荐一个咖啡屋吗？
Nǐ kěyǐ tuījiàn yīge kāfēiwū ma?
Can you recommend a restaurant?

你可以推荐一个饭馆吗？
Nǐ kěyǐ tuījiàn yīge fànguǎn ma?
Can you recommend a …?

你可以推荐一个……吗？
Nǐ kěyǐ tuījiàn yīge … ma?
noodle house
面馆
miànguǎn
snack shop
小吃店

xiǎochī diàn
(won ton) stall
(馄饨)摊
(húntun) tān
street vendor
街头小吃
jiētóu xiǎochī
teahouse
茶馆
cháguǎn
Where would you go for a …?
……该到哪里去？
… gāi dàonǎli qù?
banquet
办宴席
Bàn yànxí
celebration
举行庆祝会
Jǔxíng qìngzhù huì
cheap meal
吃得便宜一点的
Chīde piányi yīdiǎn de
local specialities
地方小吃
Dìfāng xiǎochī
yum cha
饮茶
Yǐnchá
I’d like to reserve a table for …
我想预订一张……的桌子。
Wǒ xiǎng yùdìng yīzhāng … de zhuōzi

(two) people
（两个）人
(liǎngge) rén
(eight) o’clock
（八）点钟
(bā)diǎn zhōng
Chinese cuisine
Chinese cuisine can be divided into four main schools. The character of
these regional cuisines is encapsulated by the saying ‘The East is sour, the
West is spicy, the South is sweet and the North is salty.’ (dōng suān, xī là,
nán tián, běi xián 东酸,西辣,南甜,北咸).
A number of provincial cooking styles are recognised too, including the
ones given below.
Eastern (Shanghai) cuisine
浙菜
Zhècài
Western (Sichuan) cuisine
川菜
Chuāncài
Southern (Cantonese) cuisine
粤菜
Yuècài
Northern (Shandong) cuisine
鲁菜
Lǔcài
Anhui cuisine
皖菜
Wǎncài
Hokkien cuisine
闽菜
Mǐncài

Hunan cuisine
湘菜
Xiāngcài
Jiangsu cuisine
苏菜
Sūcài
Are you still serving food?

你们还营业吗？
Nǐmen hái yíngyè ma?
How long is the wait?
吃饭要等多久？
Chīfàn yàoděng duōjiǔ?
I’d like a table for (two), please.
我要(两个人的)桌子。
Wǒ yào (liǎngge rén de) zhuōzi.
I’d like the drink list, please.

我要酒水单。
Wǒ yào jiǔshuǐ dān.
I’d like the menu, please.

我要菜单。
Wǒ yào càidān.
I’d like …
我要……

Wǒ yào …
a half portion
半份
bànfèn
a menu in English
英文菜单
Yīngwén càidān
a nonsmoking table
不吸烟的桌子
bùxīyān de zhuōzi
a smoking table
吸烟的桌子
xīyān de zhuōzi
listen for …
One moment.
请等一下。
Qǐng děng yīxià.
We’re closed.
关门了。
Guānmén le.
I suggest the …
我建议……
Wǒ jiànyì …
Do you like …?
Here you go!
上菜了！
Shàng cài le!
What can I get for you?

想点什么？
Xiǎng diǎn shénme?
We’re full.
客满了。
Kè mǎn le.
Where would you like to sit?
坐哪里？
Zuò nǎli?
at the restaurant
饭馆
The Chinese have a word, rènào 热闹 (lit: hot and noisy, ie ‘bustling’) that
typifies the atmosphere of their restaurants. When the Chinese eat out they
like to have raucous, lip-smacking fun. The Western style of whispering
couples sipping expensive wine by candlelight is not for them.
What would you recommend?
有什么菜可以推荐的?
Yǒu shénme cài kěyǐ tuījiàn de?
What’s in that dish?

这道菜用什么东西做的?
Zhèdào cài yòng shénme dōngxi zuòde?
I’ll have that.
来一个吧。
Lái yīge ba.
Is it self-serve?
这里是自助的吗？
Zhèlǐ shì zìzhù de ma?

Is service included in the bill?
帐单中包括服务费吗？
Zhàngdān zhōng bāokuò fúwù fèi ma?
Are these complimentary?
这是赠送的吗？
Zhè shì zèngsòng de ma?
communal chow
Meals in Chinese restaurants typically come not in individual servings but
in communal plates (dàpán 大盘) and diners eat directly from these. This
style of eating contributes to the fun, social atmosphere of dining in China.
It also contributes to the high rates of hepatitis B infection in China, so
make sure you’re immunised before you go.
I’d like …
我想吃……
Wǒ xiǎng chī …
the beef noodle soup
牛肉面
niúròu miàn
a local speciality
一个地方特色菜
yīge dìfāng tèsè cài
a meal fit for a king
山珍海味
shānzhēn hǎiwèi
I’d like it with …
多放一点……

Duōfàng yīdiǎn …
I’d like it without …
不要放……
Bùyàofàng …
chilli
辣椒
làjiāo
garlic
大蒜
dàsuàn
nuts
果仁
guǒrén
oil
油
yóu
MSG
味精
wèijīng
For other specific meal requests, see vegetarian & special meals.
look for …
appetisers (cold)
凉菜
liángcài
main courses (usually meat dishes)
主菜
zhǔ cài
seafood dishes
海鲜
hǎixiān

soups
汤类
tānglèi
vegetable dishes (may contain meat)
蔬菜
shūcài
staples
主食
zhǔshí
desserts
甜品
tiánpǐn
beer
啤酒
píjiǔ
fruit juice
果汁
guǒzhī
soft drinks
汽水
qìshuǐ
sparkling wines
香槟
xiāngbīn
spirits
白酒
báijiǔ
cognac
白兰地
báilándì
digestifs

加饭酒
jiāfànjiǔ
For more words you might see on a menu, see the culinary reader.
at the table
在餐桌上
Please bring a …
请拿一……来。
Qǐng ná yī … lái.
cloth
块抹布
kuài mābù
knife and fork
副刀叉
fù dāochā
serviette
块餐巾
kuài cānjīn
glass
个杯子
ge bēizi
wineglass
个葡萄酒杯
ge pútáo jiǔbēi
I’d like the bill, please.
买单!
Mǎidān!

listen for …
Anything else?
还要别的吗？
Hái yào biéde ma?
Can I help you?
我能帮你吗？
No, we don’t have any.
不需要。
Bù xūyào.
talking food

说美食
I love this dish.

这道菜真香。
Zhè dào cài zhēnxiāng.
I love the local cuisine.
这个地方的菜真好吃。
Zhège dìfāng de cài zhēn hǎochī.
That was delicious!
真好吃！
Zhēn hǎochī!
I’m full.
吃饱了。
Chībǎo le.
This dish is …
这个菜……了。
Zhège cài … le.
(too) cold
(太)凉
(tài) liáng
(too) spicy
(太)辣
(tài) là
superb
好极
hǎojí
your tab or mine?

A favourite Chinese sport is fighting over the bill in restaurants. It’s
considered polite in China to offer to pay the bill once or even twice, even
if you’re clearly the guest. A protest along the following lines may be
made loudly, to show sincerity, even when it’s a bluff:

You were tonight’s host, but I’ll pay the bill.
你请客，我买单。
Nǐ qǐngkè, wǒ mǎidān.
breakfast
早饭
A standard breakfast consists of some type of porridge, typically made from

rice in the South and corn in the North, along with a selection of side dishes
such as pickles, deep-fried doughsticks, or tea-eggs (hard-boiled eggs
marbled with tea and star anise). Western breakfast options could be hard to
come by.
What do you normally eat for breakfast?
早饭一般吃什么？
Zǎofàn yībān chī shénme?
bacon
培根
péigēn
bread
面包
miànbāo
butter
黄油
huángyóu
cereal
烤麦片
kǎo màipiàn
corn porridge
玉米粥
yùmǐ zhōu
deep-fried dough sticks

油条
yóutiáo
egg(s)
蛋
dàn
duck egg(s)
鸭蛋
yā dàn
fried egg(s)
煎蛋
jiān dàn
hard-boiled egg(s)
煮鸡蛋
zhǔ jīdàn
pickled duck egg(s)
咸鸭蛋
xián yādàn
poached egg(s)
荷包蛋
hébāo dàn
scrambled eggs
牛奶炒蛋
niúnǎi chǎodàn
soft-boiled egg(s)
半熟的鸡蛋
bànshú de jīdàn
tea egg(s)
茶叶蛋
cháyè dàn
fresh soy milk
豆浆

dòujiāng
milk
牛奶
niúnǎi
muesli
牛奶什锦早餐
niúnǎi shénjǐn zǎocān
noodle soup
汤面
tāngmiàn
omelette
炒鸡蛋
chǎo jīdàn
pickled vegetables
咸菜
xiáncài
rice porridge
白米粥
báimǐzhōu
savoury …
咸……
xián …
sesame-seed pancake
芝麻煎饼
zhīma jiānbǐng
steamed buns
馒头
mántou
sweet …
甜……
tián …

sweet steamed bean-paste bun
豆沙包
dòushā bāo
toast
烤面包
kǎo miànbāo
won ton soup
馄饨
húntun
light meals
便餐
What’s that called?

那个叫什么？
Nàge jiào shénme?
I’d like …, please.
请给我……
Qǐng gěi wǒ …
one slice
一块
yīkuài
a piece
一份
yīfèn
a sandwich
一个三明治
yīge sānmíngzhì
that one
那一个
nàyīge

two
两个
liǎngge
condiments
调味品
Do you have …?
有没有……？
Yǒuméiyǒu …?
chilli sauce
辣椒酱
làjiāo jiàng
dipping sauce
黄酱
huángjiàng
garlic
大蒜
dàsuàn
soy sauce
酱油
jiàngyóu
vinegar
醋
cù
For additional items, see the culinary reader.
methods of preparation
菜的做法
I (don’t) want it …

我(不)要……的。
Wǒ (bù)yào… de.
barbecued
烧烤
shāokǎo
boiled
煮
zhǔ
braised
煎
jiān
deep-fried
油炸
yóuzhá
grilled
铁板烤
tiěbǎn kǎo
medium
半生半熟
bànshēng bànshú
rare
半生
bànshēng
re-heated
重热
chóngrè
roasted
烤
kǎo
steamed
蒸

zhēng
stir-fried
炒
chǎo
well-done
熟
shú
without …
不加……
bùjiā …
in the bar
在酒吧
Excuse me!
劳驾！
Láojià!
I’ll have …
我来一个……
Wǒ lái yīge …
Same again, please.
请再来一个。
Qǐng zài lái yīge.
No ice, thanks.
不要加冰块。
Bùyào jiā bīngkuài.
I’ll buy you a drink..
我请客。
Wǒ qǐng kè.

What would you like?
你想喝什么？
Nǐ xiǎng hē shénme?
How much is that?

总共多少钱？
Zǒnggòng duōshǎo qián?
Do you serve meals here?
你们提供饭菜吗？
Nǐmen tígōng fàncài ma?
listen for …
I think you’ve had enough.
你喝多了。
Nǐ hē duō le.
What are you having?
你喝了什么？
Nǐ hē le shénme?
nonalcoholic drinks
饮料
soft drink
不含酒精的饮料
bù hán jiǔjīng de yǐnliào
(orange) juice
(橙)汁

(chéng) zhī
boiled water
开水
kāi shuǐ
mineral water
矿泉水
kuàngquán shuǐ
cold water
凉开水
liáng kāi shuǐ
fresh drinking yogurt
酸奶
suānnǎi
lychee juice
荔枝汁
lìzhī zhī
sour plum drink
酸梅汤
suānméitāng
sparkling mineral water
矿泉汽水
kuàngquán qì shuǐ
I’d like a cup of coffee.

我要一杯咖啡。
Wǒ yào yībēi kāfēi.
I’d like a cup of tea.

我要一杯茶。
Wǒ yào yībēi chá.
with milk
加牛奶
jiā niúnǎi
without sugar
不加糖
bù jiā táng
… coffee
……咖啡
… kāfēi
black
黑
hēi
decaffeinated
低咖啡因
dī kāfēiyīn
espresso

浓缩
nóngsuō
iced
冰
bīng
strong
特浓
tènóng
weak
淡
dàn
white
白
bái
all the tea in China

Generally speaking, the Chinese are tea rather than coffee drinkers.
Though the major cities have a nascent coffee culture, coffee can be hard
to find outside the major cities. The good news is that China has many
delicious teas. Try sipping some of these:
black tea
红茶
hóngchá
chrysanthemum tea
菊花茶
júhuāchá
green tea
绿茶
lǜchá
jasmine tea
花茶
huāchá

oolong tea
乌龙茶
wūlóngchá
alcoholic drinks
酒类
Keep an eye out for people tapping their fingers on the tablecloth as their
glass is filled – a new affectation that conquered China from the south in the
early 1990s. It indicates a nonverbal appreciation of the service being
rendered.
beer
啤酒
píjiǔ
brandy
白兰地
báilándì
champagne
香槟
xiāngbīn
Chinese spirit
白酒
báijiǔ
cocktail
鸡尾酒
jīwěi jiǔ
maotai (Chinese vodka)
茅台酒
máotái jiǔ
rice wine
黄酒

huángjiǔ
a shot of whisky
一小杯威士忌
yī xiǎobēi wēishìjì
a shot of …
一樽……
yīzūn …
gin
金酒
jīnjiǔ
rum
朗姆酒
lǎngmǔjiǔ
tequila
特吉拉
tèjílā
vodka
伏特加
fútèjiā
a bottle/glass of … wine
一瓶/一杯……葡萄酒
yīpíng/yībēi … pútáo jiǔ
dessert
甜
tián
sparkling
香槟
xiāngbīn

a glass of red wine
一杯红葡萄酒
yībēi hóng pútáo jiǔ
a bottle of red wine

一瓶红葡萄酒
yīpíng hóng pútáo jiǔ
a glass of white wine

一杯白葡萄酒
yībēi bái pútáo jiǔ
a bottle of white wine

一瓶白葡萄酒
yīpíng bái pútáo jiǔ
a glass of beer
一杯啤酒
yī bēi píjiǔ
a bottle of beer
一瓶啤酒
yī píng píjiǔ

drinking up
喝起来
Cheers!
干杯!
Gānbēi!
This is hitting the spot.

太顺口了。
Tài shùnkǒu le.
I feel fantastic!
感觉真爽!
Gǎnjué zhēnshuǎng!
I think I’ve had one too many.
我是不是喝多了。
Wǒ shìbùshì hēduō le.
I’m feeling drunk.
我有点醉。
Wǒ yǒudiǎn zuì.
I’m pissed.
我醉了。
Wǒ zuì le.
I feel ill.
我要呕。
Wǒ yào ǒu.
Where’s the toilet?

哪里有厕所？
Nǎli yǒu cèsuǒ?
I’m tired, I’d better go home.
我困了,该回家了。
Wǒ kùn le, gāi huíjiā le.
Can you call a taxi for me?
你能帮我叫个车吗？
Nǐ néng bāngwǒ jiào ge chē ma?
street eats
China’s bustling towns and cities teem with street vendors (jiētóu xiǎochī
街头小吃) selling delicious snacks (xiǎochī 小吃) to eat on the go.
Choose from among this array of popular treats:
cold clear bean-flour noodles
凉粉
liángfěn
corn on the cob
玉米棒
yùmǐ bàng
dumpling (boiled)
饺子
jiǎozi
dumpling (fried)
锅贴
guōtie
dumpling (steamed)
包子
bāozi
egg and spring onion pancake
煎饼
jiānbǐng

flat bread topped with sesame seeds
烧餅饼
shāobǐng
pork pie (large)
肉饼
ròubǐng
pork pie (small)
馅饼
xiànbǐng
steamed dumpling with pork, prawn, water chestnut and bamboo
shoot filling
烧卖
shāomài
sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves
粽子
zòngzi
won ton soup
馄饨
húntun

self-catering
自个做饭
key language
buying food
cooking utensils
key language
要点
cooked
熟
shú
cured
咸
xián
dried
干
gān
fresh
鲜
xiān
frozen
冰冻
bīngdòng
raw
生

shēng
smoked
熏
xūn
buying food
买菜
What’s the local speciality?

有什么地方特产？
Yǒu shénme dìfāng tèchǎn?
What’s that?
那是什么？
Nà shì shénme?
Can I taste it?

能尝一下吗？
Néng chángyīxià ma?
Can I have a bag, please?
我买一包吧。
Wǒ mǎi yībāo ba.
How much?
多少钱？
Duōshǎo qián?

How much is (half a kilo of apples)?
(一斤苹果)多少钱？
(Yījīn píngguǒ) duōshǎo qián?
I’d like (200) grams.
我要(两百)克。
Wǒyào (liǎngbǎi) kè.
I’d like (two) kilos.

我要(两)公斤。
Wǒyào (liǎng) gōngjīn.
I’d like (three) pieces.

我要(三)块。
Wǒyào (sān) kuài.
I’d like (six) slices.

我要(六)份。
Wǒyào (liù) fèn .
I’d like …
我要……
Wǒyào …

(two) jin
(两)斤
(liǎng) jīn
half a kilo (one jin)
一斤
yījīn
a kilo
一公斤
yīgōngjīn
a bottle
一瓶
yīpíng
a dozen
一打
yīdá
half a dozen
半打
bàndá
a jar
一罐
yīguàn
a litre
一公升
yīgōngshēng
a packet
一盒
yīhé
a piece
一块
yīkuài
a slice

一份
yīfèn
a tin
一罐
yīguàn
(just) a little
(少)一点
(shǎo) yīdiǎn
more
多
duō
some …
一些……
yīxiē …
this/that one
这个/那个
zhège/nàge
listen for …
Would you like anything else?
还要别的吗？
Háiyào biéde ma?
What would you like?
你想要什么？
Nǐ xiǎng yào shénme?
What can I get for you?
想点什么呢？
Xiǎng diǎn shénme ne?
Can I help you?
我能帮你吗？

That’s (five kuai).
总共(五块)钱。
Zǒnggòng (wǔ kuài) qián.
Less.
少一点。
Shǎo yīdiǎn.
Enough!
够了,够了!
Gòule, gòule!
A bit more.
多一点。
Duō yīdiǎn.
Do you have …?
你有……吗？
Nǐ yǒu … ma?
anything cheaper
便宜一点的
piányi yīdiǎn de
other kinds
别的
biéde
Where can I find the … section?
哪里有卖……？

Nǎli yǒu mài …?
dairy
奶制品
nǎizhìpǐn
frozen goods
冰冻食品
bīngdòng shípǐn
fruit and vegetable
水果和蔬菜
shuǐguǒ hé shūcài
meat
肉
ròu
poultry
鸡
jī
seafood
海鲜
hǎixiān

cooking utensils
吃饭用具
Could I please borrow a/an …?

我能借一……吗？
Wǒ néng jiè yī … ma?
I need a/an …
我想要一……
Wǒ xiǎngyào yī …
bottle opener
个开瓶器
ge kāipíng qì
bowl
个碗
ge wǎn
can opener

个开罐器
ge kāiguàn qì
chopping board
块菜板
kuài càibǎn
chopsticks
双筷子
shuāng kuàizi
corkscrew
螺旋开瓶器
ge luóxuán kāipíng qì
cup
个杯子
ge bēizi
fork
个叉子
ge chāzi
fridge
个冰箱
ge bīngxiāng
frying pan
口炸锅
kǒu zháguō
glass
个杯子
ge bēizi
knife
把刀
bǎ dāo
meat cleaver
把菜刀

bǎ càidāo
microwave
个微波炉
ge wēibō lú
plate
个盘子
ge pánzi
rice cooker
个电饭锅
ge diànfànguō
saucepan
口小锅
kǒu xiǎoguō
spoon
个茶勺
ge chásháo
steamer
个蒸笼
ge zhēnglóng
stove
个炉子
ge lúzi
toaster
个烤面包机
ge kǎomiànbāo jī
wok
口锅
kǒu guō

vegetarian & special meals
素食与特殊食品
ordering food
special diets & allergies
ordering food
点菜
Do you have … food?

有没有……食品？
Yǒuméiyǒu … shípín?
halal
清真
qīngzhēn
kosher
犹太
yóutài
Is there a vegetarian restaurant near here?

附近有没有素食饭馆？
Fùjìn yǒuméiyǒu sùshí fànguăn?

I don’t eat (pork).
我不吃(猪肉)。
Wǒ bùchī (zhūròu).
Is it cooked in/with (meat stock)?
是用(肉)做的吗？
Shì yòng (ròu) zuòde ma?
Could you prepare a meal without eggs?
能不能做一个不放鸡蛋的菜？
Néngbùnéng zuòyīge bùfàng jīdàn de cài?
Could you prepare a meal without meat stock?

能不能做一个不放肉汤的菜？
Néngbùnéng zuòyīge bùfàng ròutāng de cài?
Could you prepare a meal without …?

能不能做一个不放……的菜？
Néngbùnéng zuòyīge bùfàng … de cài?
fish
鱼
yú
fish stock
鱼肉
yúròu
MSG
味精
wèijīng

poultry
家禽
jiāqín
red meat
牛羊肉
niúyángròu
Is this …?
这个是……的吗？
Zhège shì … de ma?
free of animal produce
没有动物成份
méiyǒu dòngwù chéngfèn
free-range
自由放养
zìyóu fàngyǎng
genetically modified
转基因
zhuăn jīyīn
gluten-free
无筋面粉
wújīn miànfěn
halal
清真
qīngzhēn
kosher
犹太
yóutài
low sugar/fat
低糖/低脂肪
dītáng/dī zhīfáng
organic

有机
yǒujī
salt-free
不加盐
bùjiā yán
special diets & allergies

特殊膳食与过敏症
I’m on a special diet.

我在节食。
Wǒ zài jiéshí.
I’m allergic to dairy produce.
我对奶制品过敏。
Wǒ duì năizhìpǐn guòmǐn.
I’m allergic to MSG.

我对味精过敏。
Wǒ duì wèijīng guòmǐn.
I’m allergic to nuts.

我对果仁过敏。
Wǒ duì guǒrén guòmǐn.
I’m allergic to seafood.

我对海鲜过敏。
Wǒ duì hăixiān guòmǐn.

I’m allergic to …
我对……过敏。
Wǒ duì … guòmǐn.
butter
黄油
huángyóu
chilli
辣椒
làjiāo
eggs
鸡蛋
jīdàn
gelatine
明胶
míngjiāo
gluten
面筋
miànjīn
honey
蜂蜜
fēngmì
peanuts
花生
huāshēng
shellfish
贝壳

bèiké

culinary reader
饭食词表
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
W
X
Y
Z

These Chinese dishes and ingredients are listed in alphabetical order
according to their pronunciation to enable you to easily understand what’s
on offer and to ask for what takes your fancy when eating out in China.
The following abbreviations identify the cuisine to which individual dishes

belong:
NC – Northern Cuisine
SC – Southern Cuisine
EC – Eastern Cuisine
WC – Western Cuisine
B
bābǎo fàn 八宝饭 ‘eight treasure rice’ – sweet rice dish traditionally eaten
at Chinese New Year containing colourful sugary fruits, nuts & seeds
bābǎo làjiàng 八宝辣酱 (EC) ‘eight treasure hot sauce’ – made from
pressed tofu & chilli
báicài 白菜 Chinese white cabbage
báicù 白醋 white rice vinegar
bái hújiāo 白胡椒 white pepper
bái jièmo 白芥末 white mustard
báijiǔ 白酒 Chinese vodka-like spirit
báilándì 白兰地 brandy
báimǐ 白米 plain rice
bái mǐfàn 白米饭 rice – the staple & imbued with an almost spiritual
significance to the Chinese people
bái pútáo jiǔ 白葡萄酒 white wine
báizhuóxiā 白灼虾 (SC) fresh whole prawns poached then simmered &
served with a peanut-oil & soy-sauce dip
bājiǎo 八角 star anise
bājiǎo fěn 八角粉 weihison powder made from ground star anise
bànban jī 拌拌鸡 (WC) ‘bang bang chicken’ – cold dish featuring cooked
shredded chicken, cucumber & cellophane (bean thread) noodles with a
sesame paste, sesame oil, garlic, ginger & chilli sauce dressing
bàngzi 蚌子 clam • mussel
bàn shēng 半生 rare

bànshēng bànshú 半生半熟 medium
bào 爆 ‘exploded’ – stir-fried in superhot oil
bàochǎo miàn 爆炒面 (WC) ‘hot-wok noodles’ – pan-fried crispy egg
noodles often served with meat & vegetables
bàoyú 鲍鱼 abalone
bāozi 包子 steamed dumpling
bāozǎi fàn 煲仔饭 ‘claypot rice’ – braised rice cooked in a claypot with
Chinese sausage, salted fish, vegetables & mushrooms
básī píngguǒ 拔丝苹果 apple pieces dipped in batter then deep-fried &
coated in toffee
Běijīng kǎoyā 北京烤鸭 (NC) Peking duck – slices of spice-imbued roast
duck often served with pancakes, shallots & plum sauce
biǎndòu 扁豆 green bean
bīngdòng 冰冻 frozen
bǐnggān 饼干 Western-style biscuit
bīngjīlíng 冰激凌 ice cream
bīngkuài 冰块 ice cubes
bōcài 菠菜 spinach
bòhé 薄荷 mint
bōló 菠萝 pineapple
bùdīng 布丁 (SC) Western-style pudding
C
càidān 菜单 menu
càihuā 菜花 cauliflower
càishì 菜市 fresh food market
càitān 菜摊 greengrocer
càixīn 菜心 Chinese flowering cabbage – sometimes known as ‘choi sum’
or ‘choy sum’ in English
càiyóu 菜油 vegetable oil
cānguǎn 餐馆 restaurant
cǎoméi 草莓 strawberry
chá 茶 tea

chángfěn 肠粉 (SC) steamed rice-noodle roll stuffed with shrimp pork or
beef & served with soy sauce & sesame oil
chǎo 炒 stir-fried
chǎofàn 炒饭 fried rice
chǎofěn 炒粉 fried rice noodles
chǎomiàn 炒面 fried rice noodles
chǎo shānsù 炒三素 (SC) vegetarian stir-fried dish of mushrooms, lotus
root, ginkgo nuts & fresh vegetables
Cháozhōucài 潮州菜 Chaozhou cuisine
Cháozhōu lúshuǐ é 潮州卤水鹅 (SC) goose stewed in a rich sauce & served
with a garlic & vinegar dip
Cháozhōu yīmiàn 潮州伊面 (SC) thin egg noodles pan-fried until crunchy
& served with chives, sugar & vinegar
Cháozhōu yútāng 潮州鱼汤 (SC) soup made from sliced fish (usually
pomfret), squid, celery, mushrooms & rice cooked in chicken stock &
sprinkled with dried fish pieces
chāshāo 叉烧 (SC) barbecued sweet roast pork
chāshāobāo 叉烧包 (SC) steamed barbecued pork bun
cháyè dàn 茶叶蛋 ‘tea egg’ – marbled hard-boiled egg flavoured with black
tea & star anise
chéncù 陈醋 dark vinegar
chéngjiàng 橙酱 marmalade
chéng zhī 橙汁 orange juice
chéngzi 橙子 orange
chénpí 陈皮 (SC) mandarin or tangerine peel used as a flavouring
Chóngqìng huǒguō 重庆火锅 (WC) ‘Chongqing hotpot’ – cook-it-yourself
meal requiring diners to dip various meats & vegetables into a pot of
boiling spicy stock
chóngrè 重热 re-heated
chòu dòufu 臭豆腐 (EC) ‘stinky tofu’ – tofu fermented in cabbage juice
with a pungent result
Chuāncài 川菜 Western (Sichuan) cuisine – renowned for its use of the red
chilli & fiery peppercorns; pork, poultry, legumes & soybeans are the
main staples
chūnjuǎn 春卷 (NC) ‘spring roll’ – deep-fried pancake stuffed with a
mixture that can include vegetables, chicken, pork, prawns, mushrooms,

sprouts & noodles
cōngbào yángròu 葱爆羊肉 (NC) hot-wok lamb with shallots
cōngyóubǐng 葱油饼 (NC) ‘onion cakes’ – fried pastries filled with spring
onion
cù 醋 vinegar
cuì 脆 crisp
cuìpí 脆皮 pork crackling
D
dà cài 大菜 main course
dà cōng 大葱 oversized spring onions
dàn 蛋 egg
dànbái 蛋白 egg white
dàntà 蛋挞 (SC) baked puff pastry with an egg custard filling
dàndàn miàn 担担面 (WC) ‘dan dan noodles’ – thin wheat noodles served
with pork, scallions & a red hot chilli oil, soy sauce, sesame paste, garlic,
ginger & Sichuan roasted peppercorn sauce
dàngāo 蛋糕 cake
dànhuáng 蛋黃 egg yolk
dànmiàn 蛋面 (SC) egg noodles – sold dried or fresh
dàntāng 蛋汤 (SC) ‘egg drop soup’ – soup based on chicken broth into
which raw eggs are whisked & cooked
dàsuàn 大蒜 garlic
dàxiā 大虾 prawn
dàzháxiè 大闸蟹 (SC) ‘hairy crab’ – so called for the hair-like growths on
their legs & underbellies, these crabs are a Shanghainese delicacy
diǎnxīn 点心 (SC) dim sum – an umbrella term for the vast array of
steamed & fried dumplings & small delicacies served at a yǐnchá
dìguā 地瓜 sweet potato
dīng 丁 cubed beef, chicken or pork
dīngxiāng 丁香 clove
dōngcài 冬菜 (NC) Tianjin pickled cabbage
dōngguā 冬瓜 winter melon – type of melon with thick white flesh used in
soups & other dishes

dòufěn 豆粉 bean noodles
dòufu 豆腐 tofu (soybean curd)
dòufu nǎo 豆腐脑 (NC) salty bean-curd soup
dòufu pí 豆腐皮 dried beancurd
dòufu tāng 豆腐汤 (WC) casserole of beancurd with bamboo shoots, ham,
scallions, Chinese cabbage, ginger & shrimps
dòujiāng 豆浆 fresh soy milk
dòujiǎo 豆角 chopped green beans
dòumiáo 豆苗 pea shoots
dòunǎi fěn 豆奶粉 powdered soy milk
dòushā bāo 豆沙包 sweet steamed red bean-paste bun
dòuyá 豆芽 beansprout
dòuzi 豆子 bean
dùn 炖 stewed
E
é 鹅 goose
èlí 鳄梨 avocado
F
fāngbiàn miàn 方便面 instant noodles
fànguǎn 饭馆 restaurant
fānqié chǎo jīdàn 番茄炒鸡蛋 stir-fried tomato & egg
fānqié jiàng 番茄酱 ketchup • tomato sauce
fèi 肺 lung
féicháng 肥肠 large intestines of the pig
fēicháng kělè 非常可乐 ‘extreme cola’ – Chinese version of Coca-Cola
féiròu 肥肉 fatty meat
fěnsī 粉丝 vermicelli
fēngmì 蜂蜜 honey
fèngzhuǎ (jījiǎo) 凤爪（鸡脚） ‘phoenix claws’ – chicken feet
fóshǒu 佛手 (EC) Buddha’s hand – fragant citrus fruit also known as the
fingered citron

fǔrǔ 腐乳 fermented tofu cubes, dried, steamed then bottled with wine &
possessing a curiously Camembert-like taste & texture
fútèjiā 伏特加 vodka
fǔzhú 腐竹 dried yellow soymilk sticks
G
gān 干 dried
gān 肝 liver
gānbiǎn 干煸 ‘dry-fried’ – fried with a minimum of liquids which are then
boiled away to leave the food coated in sauce
gānbiǎn niúròu 干煸牛肉 (WC) shredded beef, deep-fried then tossed with
chillies
gānbiǎn sìjì dòu (WC) 干煸四季豆 deep-fried snake beans stir-fried with
garlic, ginger & shrimps & served with soy sauce, wine, vinegar &
sesame oil
gǎnlǎn yóu 橄榄油 olive oil
gānzhè 甘蔗 sugar cane
gāodiǎn wū 糕点屋 cake shop
gēzi 鸽子 pigeon
gōngbào jīdīng 宫爆鸡丁 (NC) marinated chicken cubes stir-fried with
chillies & peanuts & seasoned with a sweet bean sauce
gōngfu chá 功夫茶 (SC) congou tea – very strong short black tea
gǒuqǐzi 枸杞子 box thorn – similar in texture & nutritional value to
spinach
gǒuròu 狗肉 dog
guā 瓜 melon • vegetable marrow
guāzi 瓜子 melon seeds
guìpí 桂皮 cinnamon bark
guǒgān 果干 dried fruit
guǒjiàng 果酱 jam
guǒrén 果仁 nuts
guōtiē 锅贴 fried dumpling
guǒzhī 果汁 juice
gǔsuí 骨髓 bone marrow

H
hǎidài 海带 kelp
hǎishēn 海参 sea cucumber
hǎixiān 海鲜 seafood
hǎizhé 海蜇 jellyfish – sold in sheets & packed in salt & served shredded
hànbǎobao 汉堡包 hamburger
háoyóu 蚝油 (SC) oyster sauce
háoyóu jièlán 蚝油芥兰 (SC) dish of jièlán (also known as gai lan, Chinese
broccoli or Chinese kale) with oyster sauce
háozi 蚝子 oyster
héfàn 盒饭 rice & vegetable take away box
héfěn 河粉 thin round or flat slippery rice noodles
hélán dòu 荷兰豆 snow pea
hétáo 核桃 walnut
hóngchá 红茶 black tea
hóngcù 红醋 red rice vinegar
hóngdòu 红豆 red mung bean
hóng pútáo jiǔ 红葡萄酒 red wine
hóngshāo 红烧 (WC) ‘red fried’ – braised in a sweet star anise sauce
hóngshāo páigǔ 红烧排骨 (WC) red-fried pork spareribs
hóngshāo ròu 红烧肉 (WC) red-fried pork
huāchá 花茶 jasmine tea
Huáiyáng cài 淮扬菜 East Coast cuisine – relatively vegetarian-friendly
cuisine that makes use of a wide variety of condiments & fresh
ingredients; also home of the red stew (meat simmered in dark soy sauce,
sugar & spices)
huángdòu 黄豆 soy bean
huángguā 黄瓜 cucumber
huángjiàng 黄酱 (NC) blackbean dipping sauce
huángjiǔ 黄酒 ‘yellow wine’ – rice wine similar in taste to sherry & best
served warm
huángshàn 黄鳝 paddy eel
huángyóu 黄油 butter
huāshēng 花生 peanut

huāshēng jiàng 花生酱peanut butter
huāshēng yóu 花生油 peanut oil
huíguō ròu 回锅肉 (NC) sweet & sour pork
hújiāo fěn 胡椒粉 pepper (condiment)
húluóbo 胡萝卜 carrot
húntun 馄饨 won ton soup – dumplings stuffed with pork & shrimp served
in chicken broth
húntun tān 馄饨摊 won ton stall
huǒjī 火鸡 turkey
huǒtuǐ 火腿 ham
J
jiān 煎 braised
jiānbǐng 煎饼 egg & spring onion pancake
jiānbǐng 煎饼 (SC) fortune cookies
jiāng 姜 ginger
jiàngzhī páigǔ 酱汁排骨 (EC) barbecued pork ribs – a speciality of the city
of Wuxi
jiàngyóu 酱油 soy sauce
jiāobái 茭白 (EC) wild rice root
jiàohuā jī 叫花鸡 (EC) ‘beggar’s chicken’ – whole, deboned chicken stuffed
with pork, vegetables, mushrooms, ginger & other seasonings wrapped in
lotus leaves & wet clay or pastry & baked for several hours
jiàomǔ 酵母 yeast
jiǎozi 饺子 boiled dumpling
jiǎyú 甲鱼 tortoise
jīchì 鸡翅 chicken wing
jīdàn 鸡蛋 chicken egg
jièlán 芥兰 gai lan (also known in English as Chinese broccoli or Chinese
kale)
jiētóu xiǎochī 街头小吃 street food vendor
jīnqiāng yú 金枪鱼 tuna
jīnsīmiàn 金丝面 fried Beijing egg noodles – similar to Japanese udon
noodles (NC)

jīnzhēngū 金针菇 golden needle mushroom (also known as enoki
mushroom in English)
jīròu 鸡肉 chicken
jītāng 鸡汤 chicken stock
jītuǐ 鸡腿 drumstick
jiǔbā 酒吧 bar
jiǔcài 韭菜 chinese chives
jiǔlèi 酒类 alcoholic drinks
jīwěi jiǔ 鸡尾酒 cocktail
júhuā 菊花 chrysanthemum – flowering plant with a taste similar to lettuce
used as an accompaniment to dishes
júhuāchá 菊花茶 chrysanthemum tea
júzi 橘子 mandarin
K
kāfēi 咖啡 coffee
kāfēiwū 咖啡屋 café
kāishuǐ 开水 boiling water
kāixīnguǒ 开心果 pistachio
kǎo 烤 roasted
kǎo miànbāo 烤面包 toast
kǎo yángròu chuàn 烤羊肉串 (WC) char-grilled lamb kebab – an Uyghur
speciality
kuàngquánshuǐ 矿泉水 mineral water
kǔguā 苦瓜 bitter melon – resembles a knobbly cucumber & has a strong
bitter taste
L
là 辣 hot chilli
làjiāo 辣椒 chilli pepper
làjiāo jiàng 辣椒酱 chilli sauce
Lánzhōu miàn 兰州面 (WC) Lanzhou beef noodles
làzi jīdīng 辣子鸡丁 (WC) tender braised chilli chicken

lí 梨 pear
liángcài 凉菜 appetiser
liáng kāishuǐ 凉开水 chilled boiled water
liángfěn 凉粉 cold bean-flour noodles
lián’ǒu 莲藕 lotus root – the tuber stem of the water lily which can be
stuffed with rice & steamed, stir-fried or used in soups & stews
liúlián 榴莲 durian – spiky fruit prized by the Chinese as the ‘king of
fruits’ & possessing a repellant smelly-sock aroma & a dense creamy
flesh (SC)
lǐyú 鲤鱼 carp
lìzhī zhī 荔枝汁 lychee-flavoured soft drink
lìzi 栗子 chestnut
lóngxiā 龙虾 rock lobster
Lǔcài 鲁菜 Northern (Shandong) cuisine – typical ingredients are wheat
pancakes, spring onions & fermented bean paste
lǜchá 绿茶 green tea
lǜdòu 绿豆 green mung bean
luóbo 萝卜 radish
luóbo gāo 萝卜糕 (SC) fried radish cake containing grated turnip, Chinese
sausage, dried shrimp, mushrooms, spring onion & seasonings
luóhàn zhāi 罗汉斋 (SC) vegetarian stew (with many variations) which
classically includes woodear fungus & lily bud stems
lǘròu 驴肉 donkey
M
máhuā 麻花 (NC) Tianjin Muslim-style bread twist
málà tàng 麻辣烫 (WC) ‘numbingly hot soup’ – the standard cooking broth
that goes with
Chóngqìng huǒguō with liberal doses of mouth-scorching Sichuan pepper
& chilli oil
mángguǒ 芒果 mango
mántou 馒头 steamed bun
mányú 鳗鱼 river eel
máodòu 毛豆 fresh soy beans

máotái jiǔ 茅台酒 Chinese-style vodka made from millet
mápó dòufu 麻婆豆腐 ‘Ma Po beancurd’ – fresh beancurd marinated in
spices then deep-fried in chilli oil & garnished with shredded pork & fiery
peppercorns (NC)
mǎyǐ shàngshù 蚂蚁上树 (NC) ‘ants climbing a tree’ – cellophane noodles
braised with minced pork seasoned with soy sauce & served sprinkled
with chopped spring onions
méicài kòuròu 梅菜扣肉 double-cooked steamed pork with pickled salted
cabbage
méizi 梅子 plum
miànbāo 面包 bread
miànfěn 面粉 flour
miànjīn qiú 面筋球 meaty-textured gluten ball made from dough that is
washed so only gluten remains – used in vegetarian dishes
miànguǎn 面馆 noodle house
miàntiáo 面条 noodles
mǐfěn 米粉 rice noodles
míhóutáo 猕猴桃 kiwifruit
Mǐncài 闽菜 Hokkien cuisine
mógū 蘑菇 mushroom
mòlì huāchá 茉莉花茶 jasmine tea
mùguā 木瓜 papaya • pawpaw
mùxūròu 木须肉 (NC) stir-fried pork with woodear fungus
N
nǎilào 奶酪 cheese
nǎizhìpǐn 奶制品 dairy
nánguā 南瓜 pumpkin
niángāo 年糕 Chinese New Year sweets
niángāo 年糕 rice cake
níngméng 柠檬 lemon
níngméng jī 柠檬鸡 (SC) lemon chicken
niúròu 牛肉 beef
niúròu tāng 牛肉汤 beef stock

nuòmǐ 糯米 glutinous rice (also known as sticky rice or sweet rice)
O
Ōushì zǎocān 欧式早餐 continental breakfast
P
páigǔ 排骨 spare ribs
péigēn 培根 bacon
piàn 片 slice
pídàn shòuròu zhōu 皮蛋瘦肉粥 (SC) preserved duck egg & pork congee
píjiǔ 啤酒 beer
píngguǒ 苹果 apple
pǔ’ěr chá 普洱茶 Pu-erh tea – aged black jasmine tea purported to have
medicinal qualities & possessing a distinctive aroma & taste
pútáo 葡萄 grapes
pútáogān 葡萄干 raisins
pútáo jiǔ 葡萄酒 wine
Q
qiǎokèlì 巧克力 chocolate
qiézi 茄子 aubergine • eggplant
qíncài 芹菜 celery
qīngcài 青菜 green leafy vegetables
qīngjiāo 青椒 capsicum • bell pepper
qīngtāng 清汤 light broth
qīngzhēn 清真 halal
qīngzhēng dàzháxiè 清蒸大闸蟹 (EC) stir-fried crab with ginger &
shallots
qìshuǐ 汽水 soft drink • soda
quánjiāfú 全家福 (EC) ‘family happiness seafood spectacular’ – seafood
braised with mushrooms & pig tendon
quánmài miànbāo 全麦面包 wholemeal bread

R
rénshēn 人参 ginseng – prized as a tonic & aphrodisiac
rèqiǎokèlì 热巧克力hot chocolate
ròu 肉 meat (pork unless otherwise stated)
ròubǐng 肉饼 large pork pie
ròudiàn 肉店 butcher’s shop
ròujiāmó 肉夹馍 (NC) finely chopped braised pork & coriander stuffed
into a pocket of flat bread
ròupái 肉排 steak (beef)
ròuxiàn 肉馅 mince
S
sānmíngzhì 三明治 sandwich
sānwén yú 三文鱼 salmon
shādiē 沙嗲 satay – originally a South East Asian dish but now a popular
dim sum item
shāguō dòufu 砂锅豆腐 (EC) beancurd in a claypot with dried bamboo &
vermicelli
shālā 沙拉 salad
shānméi 山梅 raspberry
shāo 烧 spit-roasted meat with a sweet sauce
shāobǐng 烧饼 flat bread topped with sesame seeds
shāokǎo 烧烤 barbecued
shāomài 烧卖 won ton wrappers filled with pork, prawns, water chestnuts
& bamboo shoots then steamed
shātáng 砂糖 sugar
shēng 生 raw
shēngcài 生菜 lettuce
shéròu 蛇肉 snake
shìzi 柿子 persimmon
shòuròu 瘦肉 lean meat
shú 熟 cooked • well-done

shuàn yángròu 涮羊肉 (NC) ‘Mongolian lamb hotpot’ – sliced meat is
dipped into a flame-heated hotpot of hot broth brought to the table &
cabbage & noodles are later added to make a soup
shūcài 蔬菜 vegetable dishes – not usually vegetarian but featuring a
specific vegetable
shuǐguǒ 水果 fruit
shuǐjīng yáoròu 水晶肴肉 (EC) pig’s trotter jelly
shuǐzhǔ zhūzá 水煮猪杂 (WC) stewed pig intestines in a fiery blend of
chilli powder, chilli paste & fresh mountain chillies
Sìchuān jī 四川鸡 (WC) Sichuan chicken
sìjì páigǔ 四季排骨 (SC) braised spare ribs
sōngrén 松仁 pine nut
suān 酸 sour
suānlà 酸辣 ‘sour & hot’ – usually a soupy style of cooking with plenty of
Chinese vinegar & chilli oil
suānlà tāng 酸辣汤 ‘hot & sour soup’ – warming Sichuanese winter soup
that traditionally included solidified chicken blood & is made with
pepper, chillies & vinegar
suānméi 酸梅 dried sour plum
suānméi tāng 酸梅汤 sour plum drink
suànmiáo 蒜苗 garlic chives
suānnǎi 酸奶 fresh drinking yogurt
suànní 蒜泥 ‘garlic-fried’ – cooked with a liberal dose of crushed garlic &
oil
Sūcài 苏菜 Jiangsu cuisine
sǔn 笋 bamboo shoot
T
tángchǎo lìzi 糖炒栗子 hot roasted chestnut – the ideal winter hand
warmer
tángcù 糖醋 ‘sweet & sour’ – piquant sauce composed of sugar & vinegar
used to flavour meat or for dipping
tángcù lǐyú 糖醋鲤鱼 (EC) sweet & sour fish
tángcù páigǔ 糖醋排骨 (EC) sweet & sour pork ribs

tángguǒ 糖果 lollies • candy
táng hétao 糖核桃 candied walnut
tánghúlu 糖葫芦 (NC) toffeed crabapple stick
tānglèi 汤类 soup
táozi 桃子 peach
tián 甜 sweet
tiánbǐng 甜饼 cookie • sweet biscuit
tiáncài 甜菜 beetroot
tiánjī 田鸡 ‘field chicken’, ie frog
tiánpǐn 甜品 dessert
tiáowèipǐn 调味品 flavour enhancer
tiěbǎn kǎo 铁板烤 grilled on a hotplate
tǔdòu 土豆 potato
tùròu 兔肉 rabbit
W
Wǎncài 皖菜 Anhui cuisine
wāndòu 豌豆 pea
wǎnfàn 晚饭 dinner
wèidao 味道 flavour • taste
wèijīng 味精 MSG
wèishìjī 威士忌 whisky
wōwotóu 窝窝头 (NC) steamed yellow corn bun – rather dry &
unappetising
wǔfàn 午饭 lunch
wúhuā guǒ 无花果 fig
wūlóngchá 乌龙茶 oolong tea – delicious dark tea that is partially
fermented before drying
X
xiājiǎo 虾饺 (SC) bonnet-shaped prawn dumpling with translucent dough
xiāmi 虾米 dried shrimp
xiān 鲜 fresh

xián 咸 cured • salty • savoury
xiàn bǐng 馅饼 small pork pie
xiánbǐnggān 咸饼干 cracker
xiáncài 咸菜 pickled vegetables
xiāngbīn 香槟 champagne
Xiāngcài 湘菜 Hunan cuisine
xiāngcǎo 香草 vanilla
xiāngcháng 香肠 pork sausage
xiāngjiāo 香蕉 banana
xiāngliào 香料 culinary herbs • spices
Xī ’ān húlu jī 西安葫芦鸡 (WC) Xi’an casseroled griddled chicken
xiányā 咸鸭 pickled duck
xiányú 咸鱼 sardine
xiǎo báicài 小白菜 bok choy (cabbage-like vegetable)
xiǎochī 小吃 snack
xiǎochī diàn 小吃 snack shop
xiǎo cōng 小葱 shallot • spring onion
xiǎomàibù 小卖部 convenience store
xiǎomǐ 小米 millet – the Chinese staple until it was supplanted by rice
during the Han dynasty
xiārén guōba 虾仁锅巴 (EC) crisped rice with shrimp
xiāzi 虾子 prawn • shrimp
xīduō 西多 (SC) Cantonese French toast – peanut butter sandwiched
between two slices of white bread before cooking
xīguā 西瓜 watermelon
xīhóngshì 西红柿 tomato
xī húlu 西葫芦 courgette • zucchini
xīlánhuā 西兰花 broccoli
xìngrén 杏仁 almond
xìngtáo 杏桃 apricot
xióngmāo ròu 熊猫肉 panda – unfortunately this endangered animal
sometimes appears as a menu item
xī yòuzi 西柚子 grapefruit
xuè dòufu 血豆腐 beancurd soaked in pig’s blood – often made into a soup
xūn 熏 smoked

Y
yā 鸭 duck
yābǐng 鸭饼 (SC) salted, boned & pressed duck immersed in peanut oil
then steamed
yán 盐 salt
yáng cōng 洋葱 onion
yángròu 羊肉 lamb
yángròu zhuāfàn 羊肉抓饭 (WC) pilaf – cumin-flavoured rice cooked with
carrot & lamb; an Uyghur speciality
Yángzhōu chǎofàn 扬州炒饭 (EC) Yangzhou fried rice – there are many
variations of this dish but it may include shrimp & pieces of chicken or
pork
Yángzhōu shīzi tóu 扬州狮子头 (EC) ‘lion’s head meatballs’ – oversized
pork meatballs cooked with bok choy in a clay pot
Yángzhōu zuìxiā 扬州醉虾 (EC) ‘Yangzhou drunken prawns’ – live prawns
marinated in clear liquor & sometimes eaten while still alive
yánjī 盐鸡 (SC) ‘salt-baked chicken’ – chicken stuffed with ginger, garlic &
green onions & baked with rock salt
yànmài piàn 燕麦片 oats
yāoguǒ 腰果 cashew nut
yāozi 腰子 kidney
yèxiāo 夜宵 practice of eating snacks in the late evening – popular items
include eggs, beancurd & vegetables boiled in stock & presented on a
stick
yēzi 椰子 coconut
yìdàlì miàn 意大利面 ‘Italian noodles’ – pasta
yīmiàn 伊面 (SC) deep-fried egg noodles
yǐnchá 饮茶 yum cha – a meal of snack-like portions taken from mid-
morning to late afternoon
yīngtáo 樱桃 cherry
yǐnliào 饮料 cold drink
yóucài 油菜 mustard greens – term covers a diverse range of greens which
are often used in salads when young or pickled
yóuchǎo miàn 油炒面 (NC) oily fried noodles

yóutiáo 油条 fried dough stick – a popular breakfast item
yóuyú 鱿鱼 calamari • squid
yóuzhá 油炸 deep-fried
yòuzi 柚子 grapefruit • pomelo
yú 鱼 fish
yuánliào 原料 ingredient
Yuècài 粤菜 Southern (Cantonese) cuisine – this style has the most varied
range of ingedients & the most elaborate methods of preparation of any
Chinese cuisine
yúgān 鱼干 dried fish
yùmǐ 玉米 corn
yùmǐ bàng 玉米棒 corn cob
yútān 鱼摊 fish shop
yùtou 芋头 (EC) yam
yúxiāng 鱼香 ‘fragrant fish’ – fish braised with either fish sauce or small
dried fish
yúxiāng qiézi 鱼香茄子 (NC) shredded eggplant in a fish-flavoured sauce
of vinegar, wine, garlic, ginger, pepper, spring onions & bean paste
Z
zǎo 枣 date
zǎofàn 早饭 breakfast
zhá ānchun 炸鹌鹑 fried quail
Zhècài 浙菜 Eastern (Shanghai) cuisine – the cuisine of this region is
generally richer, sweeter and more oily than other Chinese
cuisines; preserved vegetables & pickles & salted meats are common
ingredients
zhēng 蒸 steamed
zhēnzi 榛子 hazelnut
zhīma jiàng 芝麻酱 sesame paste
zhōu 粥 porridge
zhǒuzi 肘子 hock (fatty pork elbow)
zhǔ 煮 boiled
zhǔjī 煮鸡 hard-boiled

zhūròu 猪肉 pork
zhǔshí 主食 staples
zhūyóu 猪油 pork lard

SAFE TRAVEL > essentials
须知
emergencies
police
emergencies
紧急时刻
Help!
救命！
Jiùmìng!
Stop!
站住！
Zhànzhù!
Go away!
走开！
Zǒukāi!
Thief!

小偷！
Xiǎotōu!
Fire!
着火啦！
Zháohuǒ la!
Watch out!
小心！
Xiǎoxīn!
signs
Emergency Department
急诊科
Jízhěn Kē
Hospital
医院
Yīyuàn
Police
警察局
Jǐngchá jú
Police Station

派出所
Pàichūsuǒ
It’s an emergency.
有急事。
Yǒu jíshì.
Call a doctor.
请叫医生来!
Qǐng jiào yīshēng lái!
Call an ambulance.
请叫一辆急救车!
Qǐng jiào yīliàng jíjiù chē!
Call the police.

请报警!
Qǐng bàojǐng!
I’m ill.
我生病了。
Wǒ shēngbìng le.
My friend/child is ill.
我的朋友/孩子生病了。
Wǒde péngyou/háizi shēngbìng le.
He/She is having a/an …
他/她……

Tā …
allergic reaction
过敏症发作
guòmǐnzhèng fāzuò
asthma attack
哮喘发病
xiàochuǎn fābìng
baby
在生孩子
zài shēng háizi
epileptic fit
癫痫病发作
diānxiánbìng fāzuò
heart attack
心脏病发作
xīnzàngbìng fāzuò
Could you please help?
你能帮我吗？
Nǐ néng bāngwǒ ma?
I have to use the telephone.

我能借这个电话吗？
Wǒ néng jiè zhège diànhuà ma?
I’m lost.
我迷路了。
Wǒ mílù le.

Where are the toilets?
厕所在哪儿？
Cèsuǒ zài nǎr?
police
警察局
In China, it’s the Public Security Bureau or PSB (gōng’ānjú 公安局) that’s
responsible for introducing and enforcing regulations concerning
foreigners. Turn to them for mediation in disputes with hotels, restaurants
or taxi drivers.
Where’s the police station?
派出所在哪里?
Pàichūsuǒ zài nǎli?
Please telephone 110.

请打110。
Qǐng dǎ yāo yāo líng.
I want to report an offence.
我要报案。
Wǒ yào bào’àn.
It was him/her.
是他/她做的。
Shì tā zuòde.
I have insurance.
我有保险。

Wǒyǒubǎoxiǎn.
I’ve been assaulted.

我被侵犯了。
Wǒ bèi qīnfàn le.
I’ve been raped.
我被强奸了。
Wǒ bèi qiángjiān le.

I’ve been robbed.
我被抢劫了。
Wǒ bèi qiǎngjié le.
I’ve lost my bags.

我的行李丢了。
Wǒde xíngli diū le.
I’ve lost my money.

我的钱丢了。
Wǒde qián diū le.
I’ve lost my passport.

我的护照丢了。
Wǒde hùzhào diū le.

I’ve lost my …
我的……丢了。
Wǒde … diū le.
backpack
背包
bèibāo
credit card
信用卡
xìnyòng kǎ
handbag
手袋
shǒudài
jewellery
首饰
shǒushì
papers
文件
wénjiàn
travellers cheques
旅行支票
lǚxíng zhīpiào
wallet
钱包
qiánbāo
What am I accused of?
我被指控犯了什么罪?
Wǒ bèi zhǐkòng fànle shénme zuì?
I’m sorry.
我很抱歉。

Wǒ hěn bàoqiàn.
I didn’t realise I was doing anything wrong.
我不知道犯了什么错误。
Wǒ bùzhīdào fànle shénme cuòwù.
I didn’t do it.
不是我做的。
Bùshì wǒ zuòde.
Can I pay an on-the-spot fine?
我能交罚款吗？
Wǒ néng jiāo fákuǎn ma?
I want to contact my embassy.
我要联系我的大使馆。
Wǒ yào liánxì wǒde dàshǐguǎn.
I want to contact my consulate.

我要联系我的领事馆。
Wǒ yào liánxì wǒde lǐngshìguǎn.
Can I make a phone call?

我能打一个电话吗？
Wǒ néng dǎ yīge diànhuà ma?
Can I have a lawyer who speaks English?
我想找一个会说英文的律师。
Wǒ xiǎng zhǎo yīge huìshuō Yīngwén de lǜshī.
This drug is for personal use.
这个药品是私用的。
Zhège yàopǐn shì sīyòngde.
I have a prescription for this drug.
这个药我有处方。

Zhège yào wǒ yǒu chǔfāng.
I (don’t) understand.
我(不)明白。
Wǒ (bù) míngbái.
the police may say …

You’re charged with …
你被指控犯了……
Nǐ bèi zhǐkòng fànle …
He/She is charged with …
他/她被指控犯了……
Tā bèi zhǐkòng fànle …
assault
人身侵犯
rénshēn qīnfàn
disturbing the peace
破坏秩序
pòhuài zhìxù
possession of illegal substances
随带禁物
suídài jìnwù
not having a visa
非法过境
fēifǎ guòjìng
overstaying your visa
签证过期
qiānzhèng guòqī
shoplifting
偷物
tōuwù
theft

盗窃
dàoqiè

health
身体卫生
doctor
symptoms & conditions
women’s health
allergies
alternative treatments
parts of the body
chemist
dentist
doctor
医生
Where’s the nearest dentist?

最近的牙医在哪儿?
Zuìjìnde yáyī zài nǎr?
Where’s the nearest doctor?

最近的医生在哪儿？
Zuìjìnde yīshēng zài nǎr?

Where’s the nearest hospital?
最近的医院在哪儿？
Zuìjìnde yīyuàn zài nǎr?
Where’s the nearest (night) pharmacist?

最近的(昼夜)药房在哪儿？
Zuìjìnde (zhòuyè) yàofáng zài nǎr?

最近的……在哪儿？
Zuìjìnde … zài nǎr?
emergency department
急诊科
jízhěn kē
optometrist
眼科
yǎnkē
I need a doctor.
我要看医生。
Wǒ yào kàn yīshēng.
Could I see a female doctor?

最好要看一位女医生。
Zuìhǎo yàokàn yīwèi nǚyīshēng.

Could the doctor come here?
医生能到这儿来吗？
Yīshēng néng dào zhèr lái ma?
Is there an after-hours emergency number?
有晚上急诊电话号码吗？
Yǒu wǎnshàng jízhěn diànhuà hàomǎ ma?
I’ve run out of my medication.
我的药用完了。
Wǒde yào yòngwánle.
This is my usual medicine.

我平时服这个药。
Wǒ píngshí fú zhège yào.
My child weighs (20 kilos).
孩子有(二十公斤)。
Háizi yǒu (èrshí gōngjīn).
What’s the correct dosage?
剂量是多少？
Jìliàng shì duōshǎo?
I don’t want a blood transfusion.
我不要输血。
Wǒ bùyào shūxuè.
Please use a new syringe.
请用一个新针头。
Qǐng yòngyīge xīn zhēntóu.
I have my own syringe.
我自己带了针头。
Wǒ zìjǐ dàile zhēntóu.

I’ve been vaccinated against …
我打过……的免疫针。
Wǒ dǎguò … de miǎnyì zhēn.
He/She has been vaccinated against …
他/她打过……的免疫针。
Tā dǎguò … de miǎnyì zhēn.
hepatitis A/B/C
甲/乙/丙肝炎
jiǎ/yǐ/bǐng gānyán
rabies
狂犬病
kuángquǎnbìng
tetanus
破伤风
pòshāngfēng
typhoid
伤寒
shānghán
I need new …
我要买新的……
Wǒ yàomǎi xīnde …
contact lenses
隐形眼镜
yǐnxíng yǎnjìng
glasses
眼镜
yǎnjìng

the doctor may say …
Do you …?
你……吗？
Nǐ … ma?
drink
喝酒
hējiǔ
smoke
抽烟
chōuyān
take drugs
吸毒
xīdú
Are you …?
你有……吗？
Nǐ yǒu … ma?
allergic to anything
过敏症
guòmǐnzhèng
on medication
处方药
chǔfāngyào
What’s the problem?
有什么问题？
Yǒu shénme wèntí?
Where does it hurt?
哪儿疼呢？
Nǎr téng ne?
Do you have a temperature?
发烧吗？
Fāshāo ma?

How long have you been like this?
这个情况持续了多久？
Zhège qíngkuàng chíxùle duōjiǔ?
Have you had this before?
以前有过这样的情况吗?
Yǐqián yǒuguò zhèyàngde qíngkuàng ma?
Are you sexually active?
你有性生活吗？
Nǐ yǒu xìngshēnghuó ma?
Have you had unprotected sex?
你有过非安全性交吗？
Nǐ yǒuguò fēi ānquán xìngjiāo ma?
How long are you travelling for?
你旅行多久了？
Nǐ lǚxíng duōjiǔ le?
You need to be admitted to hospital.
你需要住院。
Nǐ xūyào zhùyuàn.
You should have it checked when you go home.
你回国要做检查。
Nǐ huíguó hòu yàozuò jiǎnchá.
You should return home for treatment.
你最好回国养病。
Nǐ zuìhǎo huíguó yǎngbìng.
My prescription is …
我眼镜是……度。
Wǒ yǎnjìng shì … dù.
How much will it cost?
多少钱？
Duōshǎo qián?
Can I have a receipt for my insurance?

能给我保险发票吗?
Néng gěi wǒ bǎoxiǎn fāpiào ma?
nil by mouth
Chinese men are avid smokers but awareness of tobacco’s harmful effects
is slowly sinking in and propaganda since the mid-’80s to stop people
smoking in public has been quite effective.
Hawking and spitting has traditionally been a ubiquitous habit in China.
Recently, concerns about its role in the spread of diseases (including
SARS) and the image problem this ‘vulgar’ habit poses for the Chinese in
the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics has led to a concerted campaign to
stamp it out. You’re bound to see these signs posted in public spaces:
No Smoking
不许吸烟
Bùxǔ xīyān
No Spitting
不许吐痰
Bùxǔ tǔtán
symptoms & conditions

病症与病态
I’m sick.
我病了。
Wǒ bìng le.
My friend/child is sick.
我的朋友／孩子病了。
Wǒde péngyou/háizi bìng le.
It hurts here.
这里痛。

Zhèlǐ tòng.
I’m dehydrated.
我脱水了。
Wǒ tuōshuǐ le.
I feel …
我感到……
Wǒ gǎndào …
anxious
忧虑
yōulǜ
better
好一些了
hǎo yīxiē le
depressed
郁闷
yùmèn
dizzy
头晕
tóuyūn
hot and cold
一会儿冷，一会儿热
yīhuìr lěng, yīhuìr rè
nauseous
反胃
fǎnwèi
shivery
全身发抖
quánshēn fādǒu
strange

奇怪
qíguài
weak
没有力气
méiyǒu lìqi
worse
更糟了
gèng zāo le
I’ve been …
我……了。
Wǒ … le.
He/She has been …
他/她……了。
Tā … le.
injured
受伤
shòushāng
vomiting
常呕吐
cháng ǒutù
I can’t sleep.
我失眠了。
Wǒ shīmián le.
I think it’s the medication I’m on.
我觉得跟我的处方药有关系。
Wǒ juéde gēn wǒde chǔfāngyào yǒu guānxì.
I’m on medication for …
我有……的处方药。
Wǒ yǒu … de chǔfāngyào.
He/She is on medication for …
他/她有……的处方药。

Tā yǒu … de chǔfāngyào.
I have (a/an) …
我有……
Wǒ yǒu …
He/She has (a/an) …
他/她有……
Tā yǒu …
I’ve recently had (a/an) …
我最近有……
Wǒ zuìjìn yǒu …
He/She has recently had (a/an) …
他/她最近有……
Tā zuìjìn yǒu …
asthma
哮喘
xiàochuǎn
cholera
霍乱
huòluàn
common cold
伤风
shāngfēng
constipation
便秘
biànmì
cough
咳嗽
késòu
diabetes
糖尿病
tángniàobìng

diarrhoea
拉稀
lāxī
dysentry
痢疾
lìjí
epilepsy
癫痫
diānxián
fever
发烧
fāshāo
flu
感冒
gǎnmào
giardiasis
鞭毛虫病
biānmáochóngbìng
malaria
疟疾
nüèji
nausea
反胃
fǎnwèi
pain
疼痛
téngtòng
SARS
非典
fēidiǎn
sore throat

喉咙疼
hóulóngténg
women’s health
妇女卫生
(I think) I’m pregnant.

我(好像)怀孕了。
Wǒ (hǎoxiàng) huáiyùn le.
I’m on the Pill.
我用避孕药。
Wǒ yòng bìyùn yào.
I haven’t had my period for (six) weeks.
我(六)个星期没来月经了。
Wǒ (liù)ge xīngqī méi lái yuèjīng le.
I’ve noticed a lump here.
我发现这儿长了。一个疙瘩
Wǒ fāxiàn zhèr zhǎngle yīge gēda.
I need …
我要买……
Wǒ yàomǎi …
contraception
避孕品
bìyùn pǐn
the morning after pill
事后避孕药
shìhòu bìyùn yào
a pregnancy test
一个验孕棒
yīge yànyùn bàng
the doctor may say …

Are you using contraception?
你用避孕措施吗？
Nǐ yòng bìyùn cuòshī ma?
Are you menstruating?
你的月经还来吗？
Nǐde yuèjīng háilái ma?
Are you pregnant?
你怀孕了吗？
Nǐ huáiyùn le ma?
When did you last have your period?
上次月经是什么时候？
Shàngcì yuèjīng shì shénme shíhòu?
You’re pregnant.
你怀孕了。
Nǐ huáiyùn le.
allergies
过敏症
I have a skin allergy.

我皮肤过敏。
Wǒ pífū guòmǐn.
I’m allergic to antibiotics.
我对抗菌素过敏。
Wǒ duì kàngjūnsù guòmǐn.
I’m allergic to anti-inflammatories.

我对抗炎药过敏。
Wǒ duì kàngyányào guòmǐn.

I’m allergic to aspirin.
我对阿斯匹林过敏。
Wǒ duì āsīpǐlín guòmǐn.
I’m allergic to bees.

我对蜜蜂过敏。
Wǒ duì mìfēng guòmǐn.
I’m allergic to codeine.

我对可待因过敏。
Wǒ duì kědàiyīn guòmǐn.
I’m allergic to penicillin.

我对青霉素过敏。
Wǒ duì qīngméisù guòmǐn.
I’m allergic to pollen.

我对花粉过敏。
Wǒ duì huāfěn guòmǐn.
I’m allergic to sulphur-based drugs.
我对硫基药物过敏。
Wǒ duì liújī yàowù guòmǐn.
I’m allergic to …
我对……过敏。

Wǒ duì … guòmǐn.
He/She is allergic to …
他/她对……过敏。
Tā duì … guòmǐn.
butter
黄油
huángyóu
chilli
辣椒
làjiāo
dairy produce
奶制品
nǎizhìpǐn
eggs
鸡蛋
jīdàn
gelatine
明胶
míngjiāo
gluten
面筋
miànjīn
honey
蜂蜜
fēngmì
MSG
味精
wèijīng
nuts
果仁
guǒrén

peanuts
花生
huāshēng
seafood
海鲜
hǎixiān
shellfish
贝壳
bèiké
antihistamines
抗组胺药
kàngzǔ’ān yào
inhaler
吸入器
xīrù qì
injection
打针
dǎzhēn
alternative treatments
非主流医疗
Herbal medicine (zhōngyào 中药) and acupuncture (zhēnjiǔ 针灸) are the
most common medical systems in China.
I don’t use (Western medicine).
我不吃(西药)。
Wǒ bùchī (Xīyào).
I prefer …
我更愿意……
Wǒ gèng yuànyì …
Can I see someone who practices …?

哪里能看……大夫？
Nǎli néngkàn … dàifu?
acupuncture
针灸
zhēnjiǔ
Chinese herbal medicine
中药
zhōngyào
Chinese medicine
中医
zhōngyī
meridian massage
经络按摩
jīngluò ànmó
parts of the body

身体部位
My … hurts.
我的……疼。
Wǒde … téng.
I can’t move my …
我的……不能动。
Wǒde … bùnéng dòng.
I have a cramp in my …
我的……抽筋了。
Wǒde … chōujīn le.
My … is swollen.
我的……发肿了。
Wǒde … fāzhǒng le.

chemist
西药房
I need something for …

我要……的药。
Wǒ yào … de yào.
Do I need a prescription for …?
……需要处方吗？
… xūyào chǔfāng ma?
I have a prescription.
我有处方。
Wǒ yǒu chǔfāng.
How many times a day?

每天吃几次？
Měitiān chī jǐcì?
Will it make me drowsy?
吃后犯困吗？
Chīhòu fànkùn ma?
antiseptic
消毒
xiāodú
antibiotics
抗菌素
kàngjūnsù
bandage
绷带
bēngdài
condom
避孕套
bìyùntào
contraceptives
避孕品
bìyùnpǐn
cough medicine
感冒药
gǎnmào yào
eye drops
眼药水
yǎnyàoshuǐ
gut blockers (for diarrhoea)
止泻药
zhǐxiè yào
herb (medicinal)
药材

yàocái
insect repellent
防虫剂
fángchóngjì
iodine
碘水
diǎnshuǐ
lip balm
唇膏
chúngāo
moisturiser
护肤膏
hùfūgāo
painkillers
止痛药
zhǐtòng yào
rehydration salts
补充水冲剂
bǔchōngshuǐ chōngjì
sleeping pills
安眠药
ānmián yào
sticking plaster
创口贴
chuāngkǒu tiē
syringe
注射针
zhùshè zhēn
thermometer
体温计
tǐwēn jì

water purification tablets
清水药
qīngshuǐyào
listen for …
You must complete the course.
必须用完。
Bìxū yòngwán.
Have you taken this before?
以前吃过吗？
Yǐqián chīguò ma?
Twice a day (with food).
一天两次(与饭一起吃)。
Yītiān liǎngcì (yú fàn yīqǐ chī).
dentist
牙医
I have a …
我有……
Wǒ yǒu …
broken tooth
崩牙
bēngyá
cavity
牙洞
yádòng
toothache
牙疼
yáténg

I’ve lost a filling.
我崩牙了。
Wǒ bēngyá le.
My dentures are broken.
我的假牙坏了。
Wǒde jiǎyá huàile.
My gums hurt.
我齿龈好痛。
Wǒ chǐyín hǎotòng.
I don’t want it extracted.
我不要拔牙。
Wǒ bùyào báyá.
Ouch!
哎呀, 疼！
Āiyā, téng!
I need a/an …
我需要……
Wǒ xūyào …
anaesthetic
麻醉药
mázuì yào
filling
补牙
bǔyá
listen for …
This won’t hurt a bit.

不会疼。
Bùhuì téng.
Don’t move.
别动。
Biédòng.
Come back, I haven’t finished!
回来，还没完！
Huílái, háiméi wán!
Open wide.
张开口。
Zhāngkāi kǒu.
Rinse!
漱口！
Shùkǒu!
Bite down on this.
咬一下。
Yǎoyīxià.

DICTIONARY >
english–mandarin
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
Y
Z

The symbols , and (indicating noun, adjective and verb) have been
added for clarity where an English term could be either.
A
abalone 鲍鱼 bàoyú
aboard 在……上 zài … shàng
abortion 堕胎 duòtāi
about 关于 guānyú
above 以上 yǐshàng
abroad 国外 guówài
accident 事故 shìgù
accommodation 住宿 zhùsù
(bank) account 账单 zhàngdān
across 对面 duìmiàn
actor 演员 yǎnyuán
acupuncture 针灸 zhēnjiǔ
adaptor 双边插座 shuāngbiān chāzuò
addiction 毒瘾 dúyǐn
address 地址 dìzhǐ
administration 行政部门 xíngzhèng bùmén
admission price 门票钱 ménpiàoqián
admit (let in) 允许 yǔnxǔ
adult 大人 dàrén
advertisement 广告 guǎnggào
advice 建议 jiànyì
aeroplane 飞机 fēijī
Africa 非洲 Fēizhōu
after 以后 yǐhòu
(this) afternoon (今天)下午 (jīntiān) xiàwǔ
aftershave 男用香水 nányòng xiāngshuǐ
again 再一次 zài yīcì
age 年龄 niánlíng

(three days) ago (三天)前 (sān tiān) qián
agree 同意 tóngyì
agriculture 农业 nóngyè
ahead 前面 qiánmian
AIDS 艾滋病 àizībìng
air 空气 kōngqì
air-conditioned 有空调的 yǒu kōngtiáo de
air-conditioning 空调 kōngtiáo
airline 航空公司 hángkōng gōngsī
airmail 航空信 hángkōng xìn
airplane 飞机 fēijī
airport 飞机场 fēijī chǎng
airport tax 机场税 jīchǎng shuì
aisle (on plane) 走廊 zǒuláng
alarm clock 闹钟 nàozhōng
alcohol 酒精 jiǔjīng
all 所有的 suǒyǒu de
allergic 过敏 guòmǐn
alleyway 胡同 hútòng
almond 杏仁 xìngrén
almost 差一点 chà yīdiǎn
alone 独自一个人 dúzì yīge rén
already 已经 yǐjīng
also 也 yě
altitude 海拔 hǎibá
always 每次 měicì
ambassador 大使 dàshǐ
ambulance 急救车 jíjiù chē
American football 美式橄榄球 Měishì gǎnlǎnqiú
anaemia 贫血 pínxuè
ancestors 祖先 zǔxiān
ancestral home 老家 lǎojiā
ancient 古代 gǔdài
and 和 hé
angry 生气 shēngqì
animal 动物 dòngwù

ankle 脚踝 jiǎohuái
another 再一个 zài yīge
answer 答复 dáfù
ant 蚂蚁 mǎyǐ
antibiotics 抗菌素 kàngjūnsù
antique 古董 gǔdǒng
antique market 古董市场 gǔdǒng shìchǎng
antiseptic 消毒剂 xiāodú jì
any 任何 rènhé
apartment (downmarket) 楼房 lóufáng
apartment (upmarket) 公寓 gōngyù
appendix (body part) 阑尾 lánwěi
apple 苹果 píngguǒ
appointment (to meet someone) 约会 yuēhuì
apricot 杏桃 xìngtáo
April 四月 sìyuè
archaeology 考古学 kǎogǔxué
architect 建筑师 jiànzhùshī
architecture 建筑学 jiànzhùxué
argue 吵架 chǎojià
arm 胳膊 gēbo
arrest 扣留 kòuliú
arrivals 进港口 jìngǎngkǒu
arrive 到达 dàodá
art 艺术 yìshù
art gallery 艺术馆 yìshùguǎn
artist 艺术家 yìshùjiā
ashtray 烟灰缸 yānhuīgāng
Asia 亚洲 Yàzhōu
ask (a question) 问 wèn
ask (for something) 求 qiú
aspirin 阿斯匹林 āsīpǐlín
asthma 哮喘 xiàochuǎn
at 在 zài
athletics 田径 tiánjìng
atmosphere (weather) 气候 qìhòu

August 八月 bāyuè
aunt 阿姨 āyí
Australia 澳大利亚 Àodàlìyà
Australian Rules Football 澳式橄榄球 Àoshì gǎnlǎnqiú
automated teller machine (ATM) 自动取款机 zìdòng qǔkuǎn jī
autumn 秋天 qiūtiān
avenue 大街 dàjiē
awful 可恶 kěwù
B
B&W (film) 黑白(片) hēibái (piàn)
baby 小娃娃 xiǎo wáwa
baby food 婴儿食品 yīng’ér shípǐn
baby powder 滑石粉 huáshí fěn
babysitter 临时保姆 línshí bǎomǔ
back (body) 背 bèi
back (position) 后面 hòumian
backpack 背包 bèibāo
bacon 培根 péigēn
bad 坏 huài
bag 包 bāo
baggage 行李 xíngli
baggage allowance 免费行李 miǎnfèi xíngli
baggage claim 行李领取处 xíngli lǐngqǔ chù
balance (account) 余额 yú’é
balcony 阳台 yángtái
ball 球 qiú
ballet 芭蕾舞 bālěi wǔ
bamboo shoots 笋 sǔn
banana 香蕉 xiāngjiāo
band (music) 乐队 yuè duì
bandage 绷带 bēngdài
Band-Aid 创口贴 chuāngkǒu tiē
bank (money) 银行 yínháng

bank account 银行账户 yínháng zhànghù
banknote 纸币 zhǐbì
baptism 洗礼 xǐlǐ
bar 酒吧 jiǔbā
barbecued 烧烤 shāokǎo
barber 理发屋 lǐfàwū
baseball 棒球 bàngqiú
basin 水盆 shuǐpén
basket 篮子 lánzi
basketball 篮球 lánqiú
bath 浴缸 yùgāng
bathing suit 游泳衣 yóuyǒngyī
bathroom 浴室 yùshì
battery 电池 diànchí
be (I want to be …) 当 dāng
beach 沙滩 shātān
beach volleyball 沙滩排球 shātān páiqiú
bean 豆子 dòuzi
bean noodles 豆粉 dòufěn
beansprout 豆芽 dòuyá
beautiful 美丽 měilì
beauty salon 美容院 měiróng yuàn
because 因为 yīnwèi
bed 床 chuáng
bed linen 床单 chuángdān
bedding 被褥 bèirù
bedroom 卧室 wòshì
bee 蜜蜂 mìfēng
beef 牛肉 niúròu
beer 啤酒 píjiǔ
before 以前 yǐqián
beggar 乞丐 qǐgài
behind 背面 bèimiàn
Beijing 北京 Běijīng
Belgium 比利时 Bǐlìshí
below 下面 xiàmian

beside 旁边 pángbiān
best 最好的 zuìhǎo de
bet 赌博 dǔbó
better 更好 gènghǎo
between 中间 zhōngjiān
bible 圣经 shèngjīng
bicycle 自行车 zìxíngchē
big 大 dà
bigger 更大 gèngdà
biggest 最大 zuìdà
bike 自行车 zìxíngchē
bike chain 车链 chēliàn
bike lock 车锁 chēsuǒ
bike path 自行车道 zìxíngchē dào
bike shop 修车店 xiūchē diàn
bill (restaurant etc) 帐单 zhàngdān
binoculars 望远镜 wàngyuǎnjìng
bird 鸟 niǎo
birth certificate 出生证 chūshēngzhèng
birthday 生日 shēngrì
biscuit 饼干 bǐnggān
bite (dog) 咬 yǎo
bite (insect) 叮 dīng
bitter 苦 kǔ
bitter melon 苦瓜 kǔguā
black 黑色 hēisè
bladder 膀胱 pángguāng
blanket 毛毯 máotǎn
blind (unable to see) 眼瞎 yǎnxiā
blister 起泡 qǐpào
blocked (toilet) 堵塞 dǔsè
blood 血液 xuè yè
blood group 血型 xuèxíng
blood pressure 血压 xuèyā
blood test 验血 yànxuè
blue 蓝色 lánsè

board (a plane, ship, etc) 登 dēng
boarding pass 登机牌 dēngjī pái
boat 船 chuán
body 身体 shēntǐ
boil 煮 zhǔ
bok choy 小白菜 xiǎo báicài
bone 骨头 gǔtou
book 书 shū
book (make a booking) 定 dìng
book shop 书店 shūdiàn
booked out 定满 dìngmǎn
boots 靴子 xuēzi
border 边界 biānjiè
bored 闷 mèn
boring 无聊 wúliáo
borrow 借 jiè
botanic garden 植物园 zhíwù yuán
both 两个都 liǎnggedōu
bottle 瓶子 píngzi
bottle opener 开瓶器 kāipíng qì
bottom (body part) 屁股 pìgǔ
bottom (position) 底 dǐ
bowl 碗 wǎn
box 箱子 xiāngzi
boxer shorts 小裤衩 xiǎo kùchǎ
boxing 拳击 quánjī
boy 男孩子 nán háizi
boyfriend 男朋友 nánpéngyou
(the) Boys (Beijing slang) 哥们儿 gēmenr
bra 胸罩 xiōngzhào
brakes 车闸 chēzhá
brandy 白兰地 báilándì
brave 勇敢 yǒnggǎn
bread 面包 miànbāo
break 折断 zhéduàn
break down 崩溃 bēngkuì

breakfast 早饭 zǎofàn
breast (body part) 乳房 rǔfáng
breathe 呼吸 hūxī
bribe 行贿 xínghuì
bridge 桥 qiáo
briefcase 公文包 gōngwénbāo
brilliant (clever) 聪明 cōngming
bring 带 dài
broccoli 西兰花 xīlánhuā
brochure 说明书 shuōmíng shū
broken 坏了 huài le
broken down (car) 抛锚 pāomáo
bronchitis 肺炎 fèiyán
bronze medal 铜牌 tóngpái
brother 兄弟 xiōngdi
brother (elder) 哥哥 gēge
brother (younger) 弟弟 dìdi
brown 咖啡色 kāfēi sè
bruise 青肿 qīngzhǒng
brush 毛笔 máobǐ
bucket 水桶 shuǐtǒng
Buddha 大佛 dàfó
Buddhism 佛教 fójiào
Buddhist 佛教徒 fójiào tú
budget 预算 yùsuàn
buffet 自助餐 zìzhùcān
bug 虫子 chóngzi
build 建 jiàn
builder 建筑工人 jiànzhùgōngrén
building 楼 lóu
bumbag 腰包 yāobāo
burn 烧伤 shāoshāng
burnt 烧焦 shāojiāo
bus (city) 大巴 dàbā
bus (intercity) 长途车 chángtú chē
bus station 长途车站 chángtú chēzhàn

bus stop 车站 chēzhàn
business 生意 shēngyì
business class 商务舱 shāngwù cāng
businessman 商人 shāngrén
businesswoman 商人 shāngrén
business trip 出差 chūchāi
busy (state of mind) 有事 yǒushì
busy (at a certain time) 急急忙忙 jíji mángmang
but 但是 dànshì
butcher 刽子手 guìzi shǒu
butcher’s shop 肉店 ròudiàn
butter 黄油 huángyóu
butterfly 蝴蝶 húdié
button 纽扣 niǔkòu
buy 买 mǎi
C
cabbage 白菜 báicài
café 咖啡屋 kāfēi wū
cake 蛋糕 dàngāo
cake shop 糕点屋 gāodiǎn wū
calculator 计算器 jìsuàn qì
calendar 日历 rìlì
call 叫 jiào
camera 照相机 zhàoxiàng jī
camera shop 照相店 zhàoxiàng diàn
camp 野营 yěyíng
can (be able) 能 néng
can (have permission) 可以 kěyǐ
can (tin) 罐头 guàntou
can opener 开罐器 kāiguàn qì
Canada 加拿大 Jiānádà
cancel 取消 qǔxiāo
cancer (illness) 癌症 áizhèng

candle 蜡烛 làzhú
candy 糖果 tángguǒ
cantaloupe 哈密瓜 hāmì guā
Cantonese (language) 广东话 Guǎngdōng huà
capitalism 资本主义 zīběn zhǔyì
capsicum 青椒 qīngjiāo
car 轿车 jiàochē
car hire 车租赁 chē zūlìn
car park 停车场 tíngchē chǎng
car registration 车号 chēhào
cardiac arrest 心脏病 xīnzàng bìng
cards (playing) 扑克牌 pūkè pái
care (for someone) 关心 guānxīn
Careful! 小心! Xiǎoxīn!
carp (fish) 鲤鱼 lǐyú
carpenter 木匠 mùjiàng
carrot 胡萝卜 húluóbo
carry 背 bèi
cash 现金 xiànjīn
cash (a cheque) 兑现 duìxiàn
cash register 收银台 shōuyín tái
cashier 出纳 chūnà
casino 赌博场 dǔbó chǎng
cassette 录音带 lùyīn dài
casual work 临时工作 línshí gōngzuò
cat 猫 māo
cathedral 大教堂 dàjiàotáng
Catholic 天主教 Tiānzhǔjiào
cave 山洞 shāndòng
CD CD CD (English pronunciation)
celebration 庆祝会 qìngzhù huì
cemetery 坟地 féndì
cent 分 fēn
centimetre 厘米 límǐ
centre 中心 zhōngxīn
ceramics 陶瓷 táocí

certificate 证明 zhèngmíng
chain 链子 liànzi
chair 椅子 yǐzi
champagne 香槟 xiāngbīn
championships 竞赛 jìngsài
chance 机会 jīhuì
change 换 huàn
change (coins) 零钱 língqián
change (money) 换钱 huànqián
changing room 更衣室 gēngyīshì
charming 有魅力 yǒu mèilì
chat 聊天 liáotiān
chat up 调情 tiáoqíng
cheap 实惠 shíhuì
cheat 骗子 piànzi
check 确认 quèrèn
check (banking) 支票 zhīpiào
check (bill) 账单 zhàngdān
check-in (desk) 登记台 dēngjì tái
checkpoint 检查站 jiǎnchá zhàn
cheese 奶酪 nǎilào
chef 厨师 chúshī
chemist (pharmacist) 药剂师 yàojì shī
chemist (shop) 药房 yàofáng
cheque (bill) 账单 zhàngdān
cherry 樱桃 yīngtáo
chess (Chinese) 象棋 xiàngqí
chess (Western) 国际象棋 guójì xiàngqí
chess board 棋盘 qípán
chest (body) 胸 xiōng
chestnut 栗子 lìzi
chewing gum 口香糖 kǒuxiāngtáng
chi 气 qì
chicken 鸡 jī
chicken pox 水痘 shuǐdòu
child 孩子 háizi

child seat 婴儿座 yīng’érzuò
childminding 幼儿园 yòu’éryuán
children 孩子们 háizimen
chilli 辣椒 làjiāo
chilli sauce 辣椒酱 làjiāo jiàng
China 中国 Zhōngguó
Chinese (language) 中文 Zhōngwén
Chinese flowering cabbage 包菜 bāocài
Chinese medicine 中药 Zhōngyào
Chinese medicine doctor 中医 Zhōngyī
chocolate 巧克力 qiǎokèlì
choose 选择 xuǎnzé
chopping board 菜板 càibǎn
chopsticks 筷子 kuàizi
Christian 基督教徒 Jīdū jiàotú
Christmas 圣诞节 shèngdànjié
Christmas Day 圣诞日 shèngdànrì
Christmas Eve 平安夜 píng’ān yè
chrysanthemum 菊花 júhuā
chrysanthemum tea 菊花茶 júhuāchá
church 教堂 jiàotáng
cigarette 香烟 xiāngyān
cigarette lighter 打火机 dǎhuǒjī
cinema 电影院 diànyǐngyuàn
cinnamon bark 桂皮 guìpí
circus 杂技 zájì
citizenship 公民 gōngmín
city 城市 chéngshì
city centre 市中心 shìzhōngxīn
civil rights 公民权 gōngmín quán
clams 蚌 bàng
class (category) 类 lèi
class system 等级制度 děngjí zhìdù
classical 古典 gǔdiǎn
clean 干净 gānjìng
clean 打扫 dǎsǎo

cleaning 清洁 qīngjié
client 客户 kèhù
cliff 悬崖 xuányá
climb (mountain) 爬山 páshān
cloakroom 寄存处 jìcúnchù
clock 钟表 zhōngbiǎo
close (shut) 关闭 guānbì
close (nearby) 附近 fùjìn
closed 关门 guānmén
clothesline 晾衣线 liàngyīxiàn
clothing 衣服 yīfu
clothing store 服装店 fúzhuāngdiàn
cloud 云彩 yúncǎi
cloudy 多云 duōyún
clutch (car) 换档踏板 huàndǎng tàbǎn
coach (bus) 大巴 dàbā
coach (sports) 教练 jiàoliàn
coast 海边 hǎibiān
coat 大衣 dàyī
cockroach 蟑螂 zhāngláng
cocktail 鸡尾酒 jīwěi jiǔ
cocoa 可可粉 kěkě fěn
coffee 咖啡 kāfēi
coins 硬币 yìngbì
(have a) cold 伤风 shāngfēng
cold 冷 lěng
colleague 同事 tóngshì
collect call 对方付款电话 duìfāng fùkuǎndiànhuà
college (university) 大学 dàxué
colour 颜色 yánsè
comb 梳子 shūzi
come 来 lái
comedy 喜剧片 xǐjù piàn
comfortable 舒服 shūfu
commission 代理费 dàilǐ fèi
common people 老百姓 lǎobǎixìng

communications (profession) 交通 jiāotōng
communion 教会 jiàohuì
communism 共产主义 gòngchǎn zhǔyì
communist (party official) 干部 gànbù
communist (party member) 党员 dǎngyuán
companion 同伙 tónghuǒ
company (business) 公司 gōngsī
compass 指南针 zhǐnán zhēn
complain 抱怨 bàoyuàn
complaint 投诉 tóusù
complimentary (tickets) 赠(票) zèng (piào)
computer 电脑 diànnǎo
computer game 电子游戏 diànzǐ yóuxì
comrade 同志 tóngzhì
concert 音乐会 yīnyuè huì
concussion 昏迷 hūnmí
conditioner (hair) 染发剂 rǎnfà jì
condom 避孕套 bìyùntào
conference (big) 会议 huìyì
conference (small) 会合 huìhé
confession 坦白 tǎnbái
confirm (a booking) 确定 quèdìng
congratulations 恭喜 gōngxǐ
conjunctivitis 结膜炎 jiémó yán
connection 连接 liánjiē
conservative 保守 bǎoshǒu
constipation 便秘 biànmì
consulate 领事馆 lǐngshìguǎn
contact lens solution 隐形眼镜药水 yǐnxíng yǎnjìng yàoshuǐ
contact lenses 隐形眼镜 yǐnxíng yǎnjìng
contraceptives 避孕品 bìyùnpǐn
contract 合同 hétong
convenience store 小卖部 xiǎomàibù
cook 厨子 chúzi
cook 炒菜 chǎocài
cooking 做菜 zuòcài

cool (temperature) 凉快 liángkuài
corkscrew 螺?开瓶器 luósī xuán kāipíng qì
corn 玉米 yùmǐ
corner 角 jiǎo
corrupt 贪污 tānwū
cost (price) 价格 jiàgé
cotton 棉花 miánhuā
cough 咳嗽 késòu
cough medicine 感冒药 gǎnmào yào
count 计算 jìsuàn
counter (at hotel) 柜台 guìtái
country (nation) 国家 guójiā
countryside 乡下 xiāngxià
coupon 票 piào
court (legal) 法庭 fǎtíng
court (tennis) (网球)场 (wǎngqiú) chǎng
cover charge 入场费 rùchǎng fèi
cow 牛 niú
crafts 手艺 shǒuyì
crash 撞车 zhuàngchē
crazy 疯了 fēngle
cream (dairy) 奶酪 nǎilào
credit 信用 xìnyòng
credit card 信用卡 xìnyòng kǎ
crop (field) 农田 nóngtián
cross (religious) 十字架 shízìjià
crowded 拥挤 yōngjǐ
cucumber 黄瓜 huángguā
cup 杯子 bēizi
cupboard 大柜 dàguì
cupping (traditional therapy) 刮痧 guāshā
currency exchange 货币兑换 huòbì duìhuàn
current (electricity) (电)流 (diàn) liú
current affairs 时事 shíshì
curry 咖喱 gālí
custom 风俗 fēngsú

customs (immigration) 海关 hǎiguān
cut (wound) 疮口 chuàngkǒu
cut 切 qiē
cutlery 刀叉 dāochā
CV 简历 jiǎnlì
cycle 骑自行车 qí zìxíngchē
cycling 自行车赛 zìxíngchē sài
cyclist 自行车骑手 zìxíngchē qíshǒu
cystitis 膀胱炎 pángguāng yán
D
dad 爸爸 bàba
daily 日常 rìcháng
dance 跳舞 tiàowǔ
dancing 舞蹈 wǔdǎo
dangerous 危险 wēxiǎn
dark 黑暗 hēiàn
dark (of colour) 深色 shēnsè
date (appointment) 约会 yuēhuì
date (day) 日期 rìqī
date (fruit) 枣 zǎo
date (a person) 谈朋友 tán péngyou
date of birth 出生日 chūshēngrì
daughter 女孩子 nǚ háizi
dawn 日出 rìchū
day 白天 báitiān
day after tomorrow 后天 hòutiān
day before yesterday 前天 qiántiān
dead 死了 sǐle
deaf 耳聋 ěrlóng
deal (cards) 发牌 fā (pái)
December 十二月 shí’èr yuè
decide 决定 juédìng
deep 深 shēn

deforestation 乱砍乱伐 luànkǎn luànfá
degrees (temperature) 度 dù
delay 往后退 wǎnghòutuì
deliver 递送 dìsòng
democracy 民主主义 mínzhǔ zhǔyì
demonstration (protest) 游行 yóuxíng
Denmark 丹麦 Dānmài
dentist 牙医 yáyī
depart (leave) 离开 líkāi
department store 百货商店 bǎihuò shāngdiàn
departure 出发 chūfā
departure gate 登机口 dēngjī kǒu
deposit (bank) 存钱 cúnqián
deposit (surety) 押金 yājīn
descendant 后裔 hòuyì
desert 沙漠 shāmò
design 设计 shèji
dessert 甜点 tiándiǎn
destination 目的地 mùdì dì
details 细节 xìjié
diabetes 糖尿病 tángniàobìng
dial tone 播音 bōyīn
diaper 尿裤 niàokù
diaphragm (anatomical) 橫膈膜 héng gémó
diaphragm (contraceptive) 避孕药 bìyùn yào
diarrhoea 拉稀 lāxī
diary 日记 rìjì
dice 骰子 tóuzi
dictionary 词典 cídiǎn
die 去世 qùshì
diet 减肥 jiǎnféi
different 不同 bùtóng
difficult 困难 kùnnán
dim sum 点心 diǎnxīn
dining car 餐车 cānchē
dinner 晚饭 wǎnfàn

dipping sauce 黄酱 huángjiàng
direct 直接 zhíjiē
direct-dial 直播 zhíbō
direction 方向 fāngxiàng
director (business) 董事 dǒngshì
director (film) 导演 dǎoyǎn
dirty 脏 zāng
disabled 残疾 cánjí
disco 迪斯科 dísikē
discount 折扣 zhékòu
discrimination 歧视 qíshì
disease 疾病 jíbìng
dish (food item) 盘 pán
disk (CD-ROM) 碟子 diézi
disk (floppy) 软盘 ruǎnpán
diving (underwater) 潜水 qiánshuǐ
diving equipment 潜水设备 qiánshuǐ shèbèi
divorced 离婚 líhūn
dizzy 头晕 tóuyūn
do 做 zuò
doctor 医生 yīshēng
documentary 纪录片 jìlù piàn
dog 狗 gǒu
dole 救济 jiùjì
doll 洋娃娃 yángwáwa
(American) dollar (美)元 (měi) yuán
doona 被子 bèizi
door 门 mén
dope (drugs) 大麻 dàmá
double 双 shuāng
double bed 双人床 shuāngrén chuáng
double room 双人间 shuāngrén jiān
down 下面 xiàmian
downhill 下坡 xiàpō
dozen 打 dá
drama 戏剧 xìjù

dream 梦 mèng
dress 连衣裙 liányīqún
dried 干 gān
dried fruit 干果 gānguǒ
drink (alcoholic) 酒 jiǔ
drink (nonalcoholic) 饮料 yǐnliào
drink 喝 hē
drive 开车 kāichē
drivers licence 驾照 jiàzhào
drug (illicit) 毒品 dúpǐn
drug (medication) 药品 yàopǐn
drug addiction 毒品上瘾 dúpǐn shàngyǐn
drug dealer 毒贩 dúfàn
drug trafficking 贩毒 fàndú
drug user 吸毒者 xīdúzhě
drugs (illicit) 毒品 dúpǐn
drugs (medication) 药品 yàopǐn
drum (instrument) 鼓 gǔ
drunk 醉 zuì
(blow) dry (吹)干 (chuī) gān
dry 干 gān
dry (eg clothes) 晾干 liànggān
duck 鸭子 yāzi
dummy (pacifier) 奶嘴 nǎizuǐ
dumpling (boiled) 饺子 jiǎozi
dumpling (fried) 锅贴 guōtiē
dumpling (steamed) 包子 bāozi
durian 榴莲 liúlián
DVD DVD DVD (English pronunciation)
E
each 每个 měige
ear 耳朵 ěrduo
early 早 zǎo

earn (money) 挣(钱) zhèng (qián)
earplugs 耳塞子 ěrsāizi
earrings 耳环 ěrhuán
Earth 地球 dìqiú
earthquake 地震 dìzhèn
east 东方 dōngfāng
Easter 复活节 Fùhuójié
easy 容易 róngyì
eat 吃饭 chīfàn
economy class 经济舱 jīngji cāng
ecstacy (drug) 摇头丸 yáotóuwán
eczema 湿疹 shīzhěn
editor 编辑 biānjí
education 教育 jiàoyù
egg (chicken) 鸡蛋 jīdàn
election 选举 xuǎnjǔ
electrical store 电子用品店 diànzǐ yòngpǐn diàn
electricity 电 diàn
elevator 电梯 diàntī
email 电子邮件 diànzǐ yóujiàn
embarrassed (slightly) 不好意思 bùhǎo yìsi
embarrassed (very) 尴尬 gāngà
embassy 大使馆 dàshǐguǎn
emergency 出事 chūshì
emotional 有情份 yǒu qíngfèn
emperor 皇帝 huángdì
employee 职员 zhíyuán
employer 老板 lǎobǎn
empress 皇后 huánghòu
empty 空 kōng
end 结束 jiéshù
endangered species 濒危动物 bīnwēi dòngwù
engaged (betrothed) 订婚 dìnghūn
engaged (occupied) 有事 yǒushì
engagement (appointment) 婚约 hūnyuē
engine 发动机 fādòngjī

engineer 工程师 gōngchéng shī
engineering 工程学 gōngchéng xué
England 英国 Yīngguó
English 英文 Yīngwén
English teacher 英文老师 Yīngwén lǎoshī
enjoy (oneself) 玩 wán
enough 足够 zúgòu
enter 入场 rùchǎng
entertainment guide 娱乐指南 yúlè zhǐnán
entry 入口 rùkǒu
envelope 信封 xìnfēng
environment 环境 huánjìng
epilepsy 癫痫 diānxián
equal opportunity 平等待遇 píngděng dàiyù
equality 平等 píngděng
equipment 设备 shèbèi
escalator 扶梯 fútī
estate agency 房地产公司 fángdìchǎn gōngsī
euro 欧元 ōuyuán
Europe 欧洲 Ōuzhōu
euthanasia 安乐死 ānlè sǐ
evening 晚上 wǎnshàng
every 每次 měicì
everyone 每个人 měige rén
everything 一切 yīqiè
exactly 确切 quèqiè
example 举例 jǔlì
excellent 好极了 hǎojíle
excess (baggage) 超重(行李) chāozhòng (xíngli)
exchange 交换 jiāohuàn
exchange 换 huàn
exchange rate 兑换率 duìhuàn lǜ
excluded 排除 páichú
exhaust (car) 废气 fèiqì
exhibition 展览 zhǎnlǎn
exit 出口 chūkǒu

expensive 贵 guì
experience 经验 jīngyàn
exploitation 剥削 bōxuē
express 快速 kuàisù
express (mail) 快递(信) kuàidì (xìn)
express mail (by) (寄)特快 jì tèkuài
extension (visa) (签证)延期 (qiānzhèng) yánqī
eye(s) 眼睛 yǎnjīng
eye drops 眼药水 yǎnyàoshuǐ
F
fabric 布料 bùliào
face 脸 liǎn
face cloth 毛巾 máojīn
factory 工厂 gōngchǎng
factory worker 工人 gōngrén
fall (autumn) 秋天 qiūtiān
fall (down) 掉下 diàoxia
family 家庭 jiātíng
family name 姓 xìng
famous 出名 chūmíng
fan (hand held) 扇子 shànzi
fan (machine) 电风扇 diànfēngshàn
fan (sport etc) 球迷 qiú mí
far 远 yuǎn
fare 票价 piàojià
farm 农地 nóngdì
farmer (peasant) 农民 nóngmín
fashion 时髦 shímáo
fast 快 kuài
fat 胖 pàng
father 父亲 fùqīn
father-in-law 岳父 yuèfù
faucet 水龙头 shuǐlóngtóu

fault (someone’s) 责任 zérèn
faulty 有毛病 yǒu máobìng
fax machine 传真机 chuánzhēnjī
February 二月 èryuè
feed (baby, animals) 喂 wèi
feel (touch) 触摸 chùmō
feeling (physical) 情感 qínggǎn
feelings 感情 gǎnqíng
female 女性 nǚxìng
fēn (measure) 分 fēn
fence 篱笆 líba
fencing (sport) 剑术 jiànshù
feng shui 风水 fēngshuǐ
ferry 渡船 dùchuán
festival 节日 jiérì
fever 发烧 fāshāo
few 一些 yīxiē
fiancé 未婚夫 wèihūnfū
fiancée 未婚妻 wèihūnqī
fiction (novel) 虚构(小说) xūgòu (xiǎoshuō)
fight 打架 dǎjià
fill 填满 tiánmǎn
fillet 鱼片 yúpiàn
film (cinema) 电影 diànyǐng
film (for camera) 胶卷 jiāojuǎn
film speed 感光度 gǎnguāngdù
filtered 过滤 guòlǜ
find 找到 zhǎodào
fine 蛮好 mánhǎo
fine (penalty) 罚款 fákuǎn
finger 指头 zhǐtou
finish 结束 jiéshù
finish 完成 wánchéng
Finland 芬兰 Fēnlán
fire 火 huǒ
firewood 火柴 huǒchái

first 第一 dìyī
first class 头等舱 tóuděng cāng
first-aid kit 急救装备 jíjiù zhuāngbèi
first name 名字 míngzi
fish 鱼 yú
fish shop 鱼摊 yútān
fishing 钓鱼 diàoyú
flag 国旗 guóqí
flannel 擦布 cābù
flashlight (torch) 手电筒 shǒudiàntǒng
flat (apartment) 楼房 lóufáng
flat 贬 biǎn
flea 跳蚤 tiàozǎo
flight 航班 hángbān
flood 洪水 hóngshuǐ
floor (ground) 地板 dìbǎn
floor (storey) 层 céng
florist 花店 huādiàn
flour (wheat) 面粉 miànfěn
flower 花 huā
flu 感冒 gǎnmào
fly 飞 fēi
foggy 有雾 yǒuwù
folk music 民谣 mínyáo
follow 跟随 gēnsuí
food 食品 shípǐn
food supplies 预备食品 yùbèi shípǐn
foot 脚 jiǎo
football (soccer) 足球 zúqiú
foot massage 脚按摩 jiǎo ànmó
foreign (goods) 洋 (货) yáng ( huò)
foreigner 外国人 wàiguó rén
forest 森林 sēnlín
forever 永远 yǒngyuǎn
forget 忘掉 wàngdiào
forgive 原谅 yuànliàng

fork 叉子 chāzi
fortune cookies 煎饼 jiānbǐng
fortune teller 阴阳先生 yīnyáng xiānsheng
foul 犯规 fànguī
foyer 大堂 dàtáng
fragile 脆弱 cuìruò
France 法国 Fǎguó
free (available) 有空 yǒukòng
free (gratis) 免费 miǎnfèi
free (not bound) 自由 zìyóu
freeze 冻结 dòngjié
fresh 新鲜 xīnxiān
Friday 礼拜五 lǐbài wǔ
fridge 冰箱 bīngxiāng
fried (deep-fried) 炸 zhá
fried rice 炒饭 chǎofàn
friend 朋友 péngyou
Friendship Store 友谊商店 Yǒuyì shāngdiàn
from 从 cóng
frost 霜 shuāng
frozen 冰冻 bīngdòng
fruit 水果 shuǐguǒ
fry (stir-fry) 炒 chǎo
full 满 mǎn
full-time 专职的 zhuānzhíde
fun 好玩 hǎowán
(have) fun 出去玩 chūqù wán
funeral 葬礼 zànglǐ
funny 可笑 kěxiào
furniture 家具 jiājù
future 将来 jiānglái
G
(the) Gals (Beijing slang) 姐们儿 jiěmenr

game (football) 比赛 bǐsài
game (sport) 比赛 bǐsài
garage 车库 chēkù
garbage 垃圾 lājī
garbage can 垃圾箱 lājī xiāng
garden 花园 huāyuán
gardening 养花 yǎnghuā
garlic 大蒜 dàsuàn
gas (for cooking) 煤气 méiqì
gas (petrol) 汽油 qìyóu
gastroenteritis 肠胃炎 chángwèiyán
gate (airport) 登机口 dēngjīkǒu
gate (general) 门 mén
gauze 纱布 shābù
gay (bar) 同志(吧) tóngzhì (bā)
Germany 德国 Déguó
get (fetch) 接来 jiēlái
get off (a train, etc) 下(车) xià (chē)
gift 礼物 lǐwù
gig 节目 jiémù
gin 金酒 jīnjiǔ
ginger 姜 jiāng
ginseng 人参 rénshēn
girl 女孩子 nǚháizi
girlfriend 女朋友 nǚpéngyou
give 送 sòng
given name 名字 míngzi
glandular fever 腺热 xiànrè
glass (drinking) 玻璃杯 bōli bēi
glass (material) 玻璃 bōli
glasses (spectacles) 眼镜 yǎnjìng
glove(s) 手套 shǒutào
glue 胶水 jiāoshuǐ
go 去 qù
go out 出去 chūqù
go out with 谈朋友 tán péngyou

go shopping 逛街 guàngjiē
goal 目的 mùdì
(score a) goal 进门 jìnmén
goalkeeper 守门员 shǒuményuán
goat 山羊 shānyáng
god 神 shén
goggles (swimming) 游泳镜 yóuyǒng jìng
gold 黄金 huángjīn
gold medal 金牌 jīnpái
golf ball 高尔夫球 gāo’ěrfū qiú
golf course 高尔夫场 gāo’ěrfū chǎng
good 好 hǎo
goodbye 再见 zàijiàn
goose 鹅 é
government 政府 zhèngfǔ
gram 克 kè
grandchild 孙子 sūnzi
grandfather (maternal) 外公 wàigōng
grandfather (paternal) 爷爷 yéye
grandmother (maternal) 外婆 wàipó
grandmother (paternal) 奶奶 nǎinai
grapefruit 柚子 yòuzi
grapes 葡萄 pútáo
grass 草 cǎo
grasslands 草原 cǎoyuán
grateful 感谢 gǎnxiè
grave 坟墓 fénmù
gray 灰色 huīsè
great (fantastic) 棒 bàng
Great Wall 长城 Chángchéng
green 绿色 lǜsè
green beans 扁豆 biǎndòu
green tea 绿茶 lǜchá
greengrocer 菜摊 càitān
grey 灰色 huīsè
grocery 食品 shípǐn

groundnut (peanut) 花生 huāshēng
grow 长大 zhǎngdà
guaranteed 有保证 yǒu bǎozhèng
guess 猜 cāi
guesthouse 宾馆 bīnguǎn
guide (audio) 语音导游 yǔyīn dǎoyóu
guide (person) 导游 dǎoyóu
guide dog 导盲犬 dǎománg quǎn
guidebook 旅行指南 lǚxíngzhǐnán
guided tour 团体旅行 tuántǐ lǚxíng
guilty 有罪 yǒuzuì
guitar 吉他 jítā
gum (chewing) 口香糖 kǒuxiāngtáng
gum (teeth) 齿龈 chǐyín
gun 手枪 shǒuqiāng
gym (place) 健美中心 jiànměi zhōngxīn
gymnastics 体操 tǐcāo
gynaecologist 妇科医生 fùkē yīshēng
H
hair 头发 tóufa
hairbrush 梳子 shūzi
haircut 理发 lǐfà
hairdresser 理发师 lǐfà shī
halal 清真 qīngzhēn
half 半个 bànge
hallucination 幻想 huànxiǎng
ham 火腿 huǒ tuǐ
hammer 锤子 chuízi
hammock 吊床 diàochuáng
hand 手 shǒu
handbag 手袋 shǒudài
handball 手球 shǒuqiú
handicrafts 手艺 shǒuyì

handkerchief 手绢 shǒujuàn
handlebars 车把 chēbǎ
handmade 手工的 shǒugōng de
handsome 英俊 yīngjùn
happy 快乐 kuàilè
harassment 骚扰 sāorǎo
harbour 港口 gǎngkǒu
hard (difficult) 困难 kùnnán
hard (not soft) 很硬 hén yìng
hard seat 硬座 yìngzuò
hard sleeper 硬卧 yìngwò
hard-boiled egg (tea egg) 茶叶蛋 cháyè dàn
hardware store 五金店 wǔjīn diàn
hash 麻精 májīng
hat 帽子 màozi
have 有 yǒu
hay fever 花粉热 huāfěn rè
he 他 tā
head 头 tóu
head massage 头按摩 tóu ànmó
headache 头疼 tóuténg
headlights 车灯 chēdēng
health 身体 shēntǐ
hear 听到 tīngdào
hearing aid 助听器 zhùtīng qì
heart 心脏 xīnzàng
heart attack 心脏病突发 xīnzàngbìng tūfā
heart condition 心脏病 xīnzàngbìng
heat 热气 rèqì
heated 有暖气 yǒu nuǎnqì
heater 暖气管 nuǎnqì guǎn
heating 暖气 nuǎnqì
heavy 重 zhòng
Hello. (general greeting) 你好。 Nǐhǎo.
Hello. (polite, Beijing) 您好。 Nínhǎo.
Hello. (answering telephone) 喂。 Wèi.

helmet 头盔 tóukuī
help 帮助 bāngzhù
Help! 救人! Jiùrén!
hepatitis 肝炎 gānyán
her 她的 tāde
herb (culinary) 香料 xiāngliào
herb (medicinal) 药材 yàocái
herbalist 中医 zhōng yī
here 这里 zhèlǐ
heroin 海洛因 hǎiluòyīn
herring (canned salted fish) 咸鱼罐头 xiányú guàntou
high 高 gāo
high school 中学 zhōngxué
highchair 高凳 gāodèng
highway 高速公路 gāosù gōnglù
hike 步行 bùxíng
hiking 徒步旅行 túbù lǚxíng
hiking boots 步行靴子 bùxíng xuēzi
hiking route 步行路线 bùxíng lùxiàn
hill 山丘 shānqiū
Hindu 印度 Yìndù
hire 租赁 zūlìn
his 他的 tāde
historical (site) 名胜古迹 míngshèng gǔjì
history 历史 lìshǐ
hitchhike 搭便车 dā biànchē
HIV 艾滋病毒 àizī bìngdú
hockey 曲棍球 qūgùn qiú
holiday 度假 dùjià
holidays 假期 jiàqī
home 家 jiā
homeless 无家可归 wújiā kěguī
homemaker 管家 guǎnjiā
homosexual 同性恋 tóngxìng liàn
honey 蜂蜜 fēngmì
honeymoon 蜜月 mìyuè

Hong Kong 香港 Xiānggǎng
horoscope 星象 xīngxiàng
horse 马 mǎ
horse riding 骑马 qímǎ
hospital 医院 yīyuàn
hospitality 好客 hàokè
hot 热 rè
hot water 热水 rèshuǐ
hotel 酒店 jiǔdiàn
hour 小时 xiǎoshí
house 房子 fángzi
housework 家务 jiāwù
how 怎么 zěnme
how much 多少 duōshǎo
hug 抱住 bàozhù
huge 巨大 jùdà
human resources 人事 rénshì
human rights 人权 rénquán
humanities 文科 wénkē
hundred 百 bǎi
hungry (to be) 饿 è
hunting 打猎 dǎliè
(to be in a) hurry 忙得 mángde
hurt 疼 téng
husband 丈夫 zhàngfu
I
I 我 wǒ
ice 冰 bīng
ice axe 冰槌 bīngchuí
ice cream 冰激凌 bīngjīlíng
ice hockey 冰球 bīngqiú
ice skating 溜冰 liúbīng
identification 证件 zhèngjiàn

identification card (ID) 身份证 shēnfēn zhèng
idiot 白痴 báichī
if 如果 rúguǒ
ill 有病 yǒubìng
immigration 移民 yímín
important 重要 zhòngyào
impossible 不可能 bù kěnéng
in 在……里面 zài … lǐmian
in front of … 在……前面 zài … qiánmian
included 包括 bāokuò
income tax 所得税 sǔodé shuì
India 印度 Yìndù
indicator 指标 zhǐbiāo
indigestion 肚子疼 dùzi téng
indoor 室内 shìnèi
industry 行业 hángyè
infection 感染 gǎnrǎn
inflammation 发炎 fāyán
influenza 感冒 gǎnmào
information 信息 xìnxī
ingredient 原料 yuánliào
inject 注射 zhùshè
injection 打针 dǎzhēn
injured 受伤 shòushāng
injury 伤害 shānghài
inner tube 内胎 nèitāi
innocent 无辜 wúgū
inside 里面 lǐmian
instructor 培训员 péixùn yuán
insurance 保险 bǎoxiǎn
interesting 有趣 yǒuqù
intermission 休息 xiūxi
international 国际 guójì
Internet 因特网 yīntèwǎng
Internet café 网吧 wǎngbā
interpreter 翻译 fānyì

interview 采访 cǎifǎng
invite 请客 qǐngkè
Ireland 爱尔兰 Àiʼěrlán
iron (for clothes) 熨斗 yùndǒu
island 岛 dǎo
Israel 以色列 Yǐsèliè
it 它 tā
IT 信息技术 xìnxī jìshù
Italy 意大利 Yìdàlì
itch 痒 yǎng
itemised 分项的 fēnxiàng de
itinerary 日程表 rìchéng biǎo
IUD 宫内节育器 gōngnèi jiéyù qì
J
jacket 外套 wàitào
jail 监狱 jiānyù
jam 果酱 guǒjiàng
January 一月 yīyuè
Japan 日本 Rìběn
jar 玻璃罐头 bōli guàntou
jasmine tea 花茶 huāchá
jaw 下巴 xiàba
jealous 嫉妒 jìdù
jeans 牛仔裤 niúzǎi kù
jeep 吉普车 jípǔ chē
jellyfish 海蜇 hǎizhé
jet lag 时差反应 shíchā fǎnyìng
jewellery 首饰 shǒushì
Jewish 犹太 Yóutài
jīn (measure) 斤 jīn
job 工作 gōngzuò
jogging 慢跑 mànpǎo
joke 开玩笑 kāi wánxiào

journalist 记者 jìzhě
journey 旅程 lǚchéng
judge 法官 fǎguān
juice 果汁 guǒzhī
July 七月 qīyuè
jump 跳 tiào
jumper (sweater) 毛衣 máoyī
June 六月 liùyuè
K
kelp 海带 hǎidài
ketchup 番茄酱 fānqié jiàng
key 钥匙 yàoshi
keyboard 键盘 jiànpán
kick 踢 tī
kidney 肾 shèn
kilogram 公斤 gōngjīn
kilometre 公里 gōnglǐ
kind (nice) 善良 shànliáng
kindergarten 幼儿园 yòu’éryuán
king 国王 guówáng
kiosk 小卖部 xiǎo màibù
kiss 亲吻 qīnwěn
kiss 亲 qīn
kitchen 厨房 chúfáng
kiwifruit 猕猴桃 míhóu táo
knee 膝盖 xīgài
knife 刀 dāo
know 知道 zhīdào
Korea (North) 朝鲜 Cháoxiǎn
Korea (South) 韩国 Hánguó
Korean 朝鲜话 Cháoxiǎn huà
kosher 洁净 jiéjìng
kuài (currency) 块 kuài

L
Labour Day 劳动节 láodòngjié
labourer 劳工 láogōng
labyrinth 迷宫 mígōng
lace 花边 huābiān
lake 湖 hú
lamb 羊肉 yángròu
land 土地 tǔdì
landlady 房东 fángdōng
language 语言 yǔyán
laptop 手提电脑 shǒutí diànnǎo
large 很大 hěndà
last (final) 最后的 zuìhòude
last (previous) 前一个 qián yīge
last (week) 上个 shàngge
late 迟到 chídào
later 以后 yǐhòu
laugh 笑 xiào
launderette 洗衣店 xǐyīdiàn
laundry (clothes) 洗 xǐ
law (study, professsion) 法律 fǎlǜ
lawyer 律师 lǜshī
laxative 止泻药 zhǐxiè yào
lazy 懒惰 lǎnduò
leader 领导 lǐngdǎo
leaf 叶子 yèzi
leafy vegetables 青菜 qīngcài
learn 学习 xuéxí
leather 皮革 pígé
lecturer 教师 jiàoshī
ledge 边 biān
left (direction) 左边 zuǒbian
left luggage 行李寄存 xíngli jicún
left luggage (office) 寄存处 jìcún chù

left-wing 左派 zuǒpài
leg 腿 tuǐ
legal 法律 fǎlǜ
legislation 法规 fǎguī
legume 豆类 dòulèi
leisure 消遣 xiāoqiǎn
lemon 柠檬 níngméng
lemonade 柠檬汁 níngméng zhī
lens 透镜 tòujìng
lentil 小扁豆 xiǎobiǎndòu
lesbian 女同性恋 nǚ tóngxìng liàn
less 少 shǎo
letter (mail) 信 xìn
lettuce 生菜 shēngcài
liar 骗子 piànzi
library 图书馆 túshū guǎn
lice 头虱 tóushī
licence 执照 zhízhào
license plate number 车号 chēhào
lie (not stand) 躺下 tǎngxià
life 生命 shēngmìng
life jacket 救生衣 jiùshēng yī
lift (elevator) 电梯 diàntī
light 光 guāng
light (not heavy) 轻 qīng
light (of colour) 浅色 qiǎnsè
light bulb 灯泡 dēngpào
light meter 测光表 cèguāng biǎo
lighter (cigarette) 打火机 dǎhuǒ jī
like … 同……一样 tóng … yīyàng
lime (chemical) 石灰 shíhuī
linen (material) 亚麻布 yàmá bù
linen (sheets etc) 床单 chuángdān
lip balm 唇膏 chúngāo
lips 嘴唇 zuǐchún
lipstick 口红 kǒuhóng

liquor store 啤酒摊 píjiǔ tān
listen (to) 听 tīng
litre 公升 gōngshēng
little 小 xiǎo
(a) little 一点 yīdiǎn
live (inhabit) 住 zhù
liver 肝 gān
lizard (gecko) 壁虎 bìhǔ
local 地方 dì fāng
lock 锁 suǒ
lock 锁上 suǒshàng
locked (door, etc) 锁上了 suǒshàng le
lollies 糖果 tángguǒ
long 长 cháng
look 看 kàn
look after 照顾 zhàogù
look for 找 zhǎo
lookout 了望台 liàowàng tái
loose 很松 hěnsōng
loose change 零钱 língqián
lose 丢 diū
lost (one’s way) 迷路 mílù
lost property 遗失物 yíshī wù
(a) lot 好多 hǎoduō
loud 吵 chǎo
love 爱情 àiqíng
love 爱 ài
lover 爱人 àirén
low 低 dī
lubricant 润滑油 rùnhuá yóu
luck 运气 yùnqì
lucky 有福气 yǒu fúqì
luggage 行李 xíngli
luggage lockers 行李寄存 xíngli jìcún
luggage tag 行李标签 xíngli biāoqiān
lump 疙瘩 gēda

lunch 午饭 wǔfàn
lung 肺 fèi
luxury 奢侈 shēchǐ
lychee 荔枝 lìzhī
lychee-flavoured soft drink 荔枝汁 lìzhī zhī
M
machine 机器 jīqì
magazine 杂志 zázhì
Mahjong 麻将 májiàng
mail (letters) 来信 láixìn
mail (postal system) 邮电 yóudiàn
mailbox 信箱 xìnxiāng
main 主要 zhǔyào
main road 干道 gàndào
make 制作 zhìzuò
make-up 打扮 dǎbàn
mammogram 肉眼 ròuyǎn
man (male person) 男人 nánrén
man (mankind) 人 rén
manager 经理 jīnglǐ
mandarin 橘子 júzi
Mandarin 普通话 pǔtōnghuà
mango 芒果 mángguǒ
manual worker 手工 shǒugōng
many 好多 hǎoduō
maotai (Chinese vodka) 茅台酒 máotái jiǔ
map 地图 dìtú
March 三月 sānyuè
marijuana 大麻 dàmá
marital status 婚姻状况 hūnyīn zhuàngkuàng
market 市场 shìchǎng
marriage 婚姻 hūnyīn
married 已婚 yǐ hūn

marry 结婚 jiéhūn
martial arts (Chinese Kung fu) 武术(中国功夫) wǔshù Zhōngguó gōngfu
mass (Catholic) 礼拜 lǐbài
massage 按摩 ànmó
masseur/masseuse 按摩师 ànmó shī
mat 地毯 dìtǎn
match (sports) 比赛 bǐsài
matches (for lighting) 火柴 huǒchái
mattress 垫子 diànzi
May 五月 wǔyuè
maybe 可能 kěnéng
mayor 市长 shìzhǎng
me 我 wǒ
meal 一顿饭 yīdùn fàn
measles 麻疹 mázhěn
meat 肉 ròu
mechanic 机修工 jīxiūgōng
medal tally 奖牌数 jiǎngpái shù
media 媒体 méitǐ
medicine (study, profession) 医学 yīxué
medicine (medication) 医药 yīyào
meditation 静坐 jìngzuò
meet 会见 huìjiàn
melon 瓜 guā
member 成员 chéngyuán
menstruation 月经 yuèjīng
menu 菜单 càidān
message 信息 xìnxī
metal 金属 jīnshǔ
metre 米 mǐ
meter (taxi) 表 biǎo
metro (train) 地铁 dìtiě
metro station 地铁站 dìtiě zhàn
microwave (oven) 微波炉 wēibō lú
midday/noon 中午 zhōngwǔ
midnight 午夜 wǔyè

migraine 偏头疼 piān tóuténg
military 国防 guófáng
military service 兵役 bīngyì
milk 牛奶 niúnǎi
millet 小米 xiǎomǐ
millimetre 毫米 háomǐ
million 百万 bǎiwàn
mince 肉馅 ròuxiàn
mineral water 矿泉水 kuàngquán shuǐ
minute 分钟 fēnzhōng
mirror 镜子 jìngzi
miscarriage 流产 liúchǎn
miss (feel absence of) 想念 xiǎngniàn
mistake 过失 guòshī
mix 调拌 tiáobàn
mobile phone 手机 shǒujī
modem 猫 māo
modern 现代 xiàndài
moisturiser 护肤膏 hùfū gāo
monastery (Buddhist) 佛寺 fósì
Monday 星期一 xīngqī yī
money 钱 qián
Mongolia 蒙古 Ménggǔ
monk 和尚 héshang
month 月 yuè
monument 纪念碑 jìniàn bēi
moon 月亮 yuèliang
more 多 duō
morning (after breakfast) 早上 zǎoshàng
morning (before lunch) 上午 shàngwǔ
morning sickness 晨吐症 chéntùzhèng
mosque 清真寺 qīngzhēn sì
mosquito 蚊子 wénzi
mosquito coil 蚊香 wénxiāng
mosquito net 蚊帐 wénzhàng
mother 母亲 mǔqin

mother-in-law 岳母 yuèmǔ
motorbike 摩托车 mótuō chē
motorboat 摩托艇 mótuō tǐng
motorcycle 摩托车 mótuō chē
motorway (tollway) 收费公路 shōufèi gōnglù
mountain 山 shān
mountain bike 山地车 shāndì chē
mountain climbing 爬山 páshān
mountain path 山路 shānlù
mountain range 山脉 shānmài
mouse 耗子 hàozi
mouth 口 kǒu
movie 电影 diànyǐng
Mr 先生 xiānsheng
Mrs 女士 nǚshì
Ms/Miss 小姐 xiǎojiě
MSG 味精 wèijīng
mud 泥巴 níba
mum 妈妈 māma
mumps 麻疹 mázhěn
mung beans (red) 红豆 hóngdòu
murder 杀人犯 shārén fàn
murder 杀 shā
muscle 瘦肉 shòuròu
museum 博物馆 bówù guǎn
mushroom 蘑菇 mógu
music 音乐 yīnyuè
music shop 音像店 yīnxiàng diàn
musician 音乐家 yīnyuè jiā
Muslim 穆斯林 Mùsīlín
mussel 蚌 bàng
mustard 芥末 jièmo
mustard greens 油菜 yóucài
mute 哑巴 yǎba
my 我的 wǒde

N
nail clippers 指甲刀 zhǐjiadāo
name 名字 míngzi
napkin 餐巾 cānjīn
nappy 尿裤 niàokù
nappy rash 尿裤疹 niàokùzhěn
National Day 国庆节 guóqìngjié
national park 自然保护区 zìrán bǎohù qū
nationality 国籍 guójí
nature 大自然 dà zìrán
nausea 反胃 fǎnwèi
near 近 jìn
nearby 附近 fùjìn
nearest 最近 zuìjìn
necessary 必要的 bìyào de
necklace 项链 xiàngliàn
nectarine 油桃 yóutáo
need 需要 xūyào
needle (sewing) 针线 zhēnxiàn
needle (syringe) 注射针 zhùshè zhēn
negative 消极 xiāojí
neither 两个都不 liǎngge dōu bù
net 网 wǎng
Netherlands 荷兰 Hélán
never 从来不 cónglái bù
new 新 xīn
New Year’s Day 元旦 yuándàn
New Year’s Eve 除夕 chúxī
New Zealand 新西兰 Xīnxīlán
news 新闻 xīnwén
newsstand 报刊亭 bàokāntíng
newspaper 报纸 bàozhǐ
next (month) 下个 xiàge

next to 旁边 pángbiān
nice 善良 shànliáng
nickname 昵称 nìchēng
night 晚上 wǎnshàng
night out 晚上活动 wǎnshàng huódòng
nightclub 夜总会 yèzǒnghuì
no 不对 bùduì
no vacancy 没空 méikòng
noisy 吵 chǎo
none 一个也没有 yīge yě méiyǒu
nonsmoking 不吸烟 bù xīyān
noodle house 面馆 miànguǎn
noodles 面条 miàntiáo
noon 中午 zhōngwǔ
north 北边 běibiān
Norway 挪威 Nuówēi
nose 鼻子 bízi
not 不是 bùshì
notebook 笔记本 bǐjì běn
nothing 一无所有 yīwú suǒyǒu
November 十一月 shíyī yuè
now 现在 xiànzài
nuclear energy 核能 hé néng
nuclear testing 核试验 hé shìyàn
nuclear waste 核废物 hé fèiwù
number 号码 hàomǎ
numberplate 车牌 chēpái
nun 尼姑 nígū
nurse 护士 hùshi
nut 果仁 guǒrén
O
oats 燕麦片 yànmài piàn
occupation 工作 gōngzuò

occupied 有事 yǒushì
ocean 大海 dàhǎi
October 十月 shíyuè
off (spoiled) 过时 guòshí
office 办公室 bàngōng shì
office worker 白领 báilǐng
often 经常 jīngcháng
oil (food) 石油 shíyóu
oil (petroleum) 汽油 qìyóu
old 老 lǎo
old man (derogatory) 老头 lǎotóu
old man (respectful) 大爷 dàyé
old woman (derogatory) 老太太 lǎotàitai
old woman (respectful) 大妈 dàmā
Olympic Games 奥运会 Àoyùn huì
Olympic record 奥运会纪录 Àoyùn huì jìlù
omelette 炒鸡蛋 chǎo jīdàn
on 以上 yǐshàng
on time 准时 zhǔnshí
once 一次 yīcì
one 一个 yīge
one-way (ticket) 单程 dānchéng
onion 洋葱 yángcōng
only 只有 zhǐyǒu
oolong tea 乌龙茶 wūlóng chá
open 开放 kāifàng
open 打开 dǎkāi
opening hours 营业时间 yíngyè shíjiān
opera (Chinese) 京剧 jīngjù
opera (Western) 歌剧 gējù
opera house 剧场 jùchǎng
operation (medical) 手术 shǒushù
operator 操作工 cāozuògōng
opinion 看法 kànfǎ
opposite 对面 duìmiàn
optometrist 眼科医生 yǎnkē yīshēng

or 或者 huòzhě
orange (fruit) 橙子 chéngzi
orange (colour) 橙色 chéngsè
orange juice 橙汁 chéngzhī
orchestra 交响乐队 jiāoxiǎng yuèduì
order (arrangement) 顺序 shùnxù
order (food) 点菜 diǎncài
ordinary 普通 pǔtōng
orgasm 高潮 gāocháo
original 开拓性 kāituò xìng
other 其他 qítā
our 我们的 wǒmende
out of order 坏了 huàile
outside 外面 wàimian
ovarian cyst 卵巢脓包 luǎncáo nóngbāo
ovary 卵巢 luǎncáo
oven 烤箱 kǎoxiāng
overcoat 大衣 dàyī
overdose 过量 guòliàng
overnight 过夜 guòyè
overseas 海外 hǎiwài
owe 欠 qiàn
owner 主人 zhǔrén
oxygen 氧气 yǎngqì
oyster 蚝 háo
oyster sauce 蚝油 háoyóu
ozone layer 臭氧层 chòu yǎng céng
P
pacemaker 心律调节器 xīnlǜ tiáojié qì
pacifier (dummy) 奶嘴 nǎizuǐ
package 包裹 bāoguǒ
packet (general) 包 bāo
padlock 锁 suǒ

page 页 yè
pagoda 八角塔 bājiǎotǎ
pain 疼 téng
painful 很疼 hěnténg
painkiller 止痛药 zhǐtòngyào
painter 画家 huàjiā
painting (a work) 画 huà
painting (the art) 画画 huàhuà
pair 对 duì
Pakistan 巴基斯坦 Bājīsītǎn
palace 宫殿 gōngdiàn
pan 小锅 xiǎoguō
panda 熊猫 xióngmāo
pants (trousers) 长裤 chángkù
panty liners 卫生巾 wèishēngjīn
pantyhose 长袜 chángwà
pap smear 擦片检查 cāpiàn jiǎnchá
papaya 木瓜 mùguā
paper 纸 zhǐ
papers (official documents) 证件 zhèngjiàn
paperwork 手续 shǒuxù
paraplegic 双肢障 shuāngzhīzhàng
parcel 包裹 bāoguǒ
parents 父母 fùmǔ
park 公园 gōngyuán
park (a car) 停(车) tíng (chē)
parliament 议会 yìhuì
part (component) 部分 bùfen
part-time 临时工 línshígōng
party (night out) 逛酒吧 guàng jiǔbā
party (politics) 党 dǎng
pass (mountain) 关口 guānkǒu
pass (permit) 许可证 xǔkězhèng
pass 通过 tōngguò
passenger 乘客 chéngkè
passionfruit 鸡蛋果 jīdàn guǒ

passport 护照 hùzhào
passport number 护照号码 hùzhào hàomǎ
past 过去 guòqù
pasta 意大利面 yìdàlì miàn
pastry (French bread) 法式面包 fǎshì miànbāo
path 小路 xiǎolù
pavillion 亭子 tíngzi
pawpaw 木瓜 mùguā
pay 付 fù
payment 付款 fùkuǎn
pea shoots 豆苗 dòumiáo
peace 和平 hépíng
peach 桃子 táozi
peak (mountain) 山顶 shāndǐng
peanut 花生 huāshēng
pear 梨 lí
peasant 农民 nóngmín
pedal 脚蹬 jiǎodèng
pedestrian 行人 xíngrén
pedicab 三轮车 sānlúnchē
Peking duck 北京烤鸭 Běijīng kǎoyā
Peking opera 京剧 jīngjù
pen (ballpoint) 钢笔 gāngbǐ
pencil 铅笔 qiānbǐ
penis 阳具 yángjù
penknife 小刀 xiǎodāo
pensioner 退休职工 tuìxiū zhígōng
people 人 rén
pepper (vegetable) 青椒 qīngjiāo
pepper (spice) 辣椒 làjiāo
per (day) 每(天) měitiān
per cent 百分比 bǎifēnbǐ
perfect 完美 wánměi
performance 演出 yǎnchū
perfume 香水 xiāngshuǐ
period pain 痛经 tòngjīng

permission 许可 xǔkě
permit 许可证 xǔkě zhèng
persimmon 柿子 shìzi
person 人 rén
petition 投诉 tóusù
petrol 汽油 qìyóu
petrol station 加油站 jiāyóu zhàn
pharmacy 西药房 xīyào fáng
phone box 公用电话 gōngyòng diànhuà
phone card 电话卡 diànhuà kǎ
photo 照片 zhàopiàn (or zhàopiānr)
photographer 摄影家 shèyǐng jiā
photography 摄影 shèyǐng
phrasebook 短语集 duǎnyǔ jí
pickles 咸菜 xiáncài
picnic 野餐 yěcān
pie 馅饼 xiànbǐng
piece 块 kuài
pig 猪 zhū
pigeon 鸽子 gēzi
pill 药片 yàopiàn
Pill (the) 避孕药 bìyùn yào
pillow 枕头 zhěntou
pineapple 菠萝 bōluó
pink 粉色 fěnsè
pistachio 开心果 kāixīnguǒ
PLA (People’s Liberation Army) 解放军 jiěfàng jūn
PRC (People’s Republic of China) 中华人民共和国 Zhōnghuá rénmín
gònghé guó
PSB (Public Security Bureau) 公安局 gōngʼān jú
place 地方 dìfāng
place of birth 出生地 chūshēng dì
plane 飞机 fēijī
planet 星球 xīngqiú
plant 植物 zhíwù
plastic 塑料 sùliào

plate 盘子 pánzi
plateau 高原 gāoyuán
platform 站台 zhàntái
play (cards) 打 dǎ
play (guitar) 弹 tán
play (theatre) 剧 jù
plug (bath) 塞子 sāizi
plug (electricity) 插头 chātóu
plum 梅子 méizi
pocket 口袋 kǒudài
pocket knife 小刀 xiǎodāo
poetry 诗歌 shīgē
point 点 diǎn
point 指 zhǐ
poisonous 有毒 yǒudú
police 警察局 jǐngchájú
police officer 警察 jǐngchá
public security officer 公安 gōngʼān
police station 派出所 pàichū suǒ
policy 政策 zhèngcè
politician 政治家 zhèngzhì jiā
politics 政治 zhèngzhì
pollen 花粉 huāfěn
pollution 污染 wūrǎn
pool (game) 台球 táiqiú
pool (swimming) 游泳池 yóuyǒng chí
poor 穷 qióng
popular 流行 liúxíng
pork 猪肉 zhūròu
pork sausage 香肠 xiāng cháng
port (sea) 港口 gǎngkǒu
portrait sketcher 画像师 huàxiàng shī
positive 正 zhèng
possible 有可能 yǒukěnéng
post code 邮政编码 yóuzhèng biānmǎ
post office 邮局 yóujú

postage 邮电 yóudiàn
postcard 明信片 míngxìnpiàn
poster 画报 huàbào
pot (ceramics) 瓶 píng
pot (dope) 大麻 dàmá
potato 土豆 tǔdòu
pottery 陶器 táoqì
pound (money, weight) 镑 bàng
poverty 贫穷 pínqióng
powder 粉 fěn
power 权利 quánlì
prawn 虾子 xiāzi
prayer 祈祷 qídǎo
prayer book 祈祷书 qídǎo shū
prefer 更喜欢 gèng xǐhuān
pregnancy test kit 妊娠试验 rènshēn shìyàn
pregnant 怀孕 huáiyùn
prehistoric art 原始艺术 yuánshǐ yìshù
premenstrual tension 经前紧张 jīngqián jǐnzhāng
prepare 准备 zhǔnbèi
prescription 药方 yàofāng
present (gift) 礼物 lǐwù
present (time) 现在 xiànzài
president 总统 zǒngtǒng
pressure 压力 yālì
pressure point massage 经络按摩 jīngluò ànmó
pretty 漂亮 piàoliang
price 价格 jiàgé
priest 牧师 mùshī
prime minister 首相 shǒuxiàng
printer (computer) 打印机 dǎyìnjī
prison 监狱 jiānyù
prisoner 罪犯 zuìfàn
private 私人 sīrén
produce 生产 shēngchǎn
profit 利润 lìrùn

program 节目 jiémù
projector 投影机 tóuyǐngjī
promise 发誓 fāshì
prostitute 妓女 jìnǚ
protect 保护 bǎohù
protected (animal, etc) 受保护动物 shòu bǎohù dòngwù
protest 游行 yóuxíng
protest 抗议 kàngyì
provisions 预备品 yùbèipǐn
pub (bar) 酒吧 jiǔbā
public gardens 公园 gōngyuán
public relations 公共关系 gōnggòng guānxì
public telephone 公用电话 gōngyòng diànhuà
public toilet 公厕 gōngcè
publishing 出版 chūbǎn
pull 拉 lā
pump 打气筒 dǎqìtóng
pumpkin 南瓜 nánguā
pumpkin seeds 瓜子 guāzi
puncture 穿孔 chuānkǒng
pure 纯 chún
purple 紫色 zǐsè
purse 钱包 qiánbāo
push 推 tuī
put 放 fàng
Q
qì 气 qì
quadriplegic 四肢障 sìzhīzhàng
qualifications 学历 xuélì
quality 质量 zhìliàng
quarantine 免疫站 miǎnyìzhàn
quarter 四分之一 sìfēn zhī yī
queen 女王 nǚwáng

question 问题 wèntí
queue 排队 páiduì
quick 快 kuài
quiet 安静 ānjìng
quit 辞职 cízhí
R
rabbit 兔子 tùzi
race (sport) 比赛 bǐ sài
racetrack 赛场 sàichǎng
racing bike 赛车 sàichē
racism 种族歧视 zhǒngzú qíshì
racquet 拍子 pāizi
radiator 暖气管 nuǎnqìguǎn
radio 收音机 shōuyīnjī
radish 萝卜 luóbo
railway station 火车站 huǒchēzhàn
rain 下雨 xiàyǔ
raincoat 雨衣 yǔyī
raisin 葡萄干 pútáogān
rape 强奸 qiángjiān
rare (uncommon) 罕见 hǎnjiàn
rare (about food) 半生 bànshēng
rash 疹子 zhěnzi
raspberry 山莓 shānméi
rat 老鼠 lǎoshǔ
rave 电子舞会 diànzǐ wǔhuì
raw 生 shēng
razor 剃刀 tìdāo
razor blade 剃刀片 tìdāo piàn
read 读 dú
reading 看书 kànshū
ready 做好了 zuòhǎole
real estate agent 房产代理 fángchǎn dàilǐ

realistic 现实 xiànshí
rear (seat etc) 后 hòu
reason 原因 yuányīn
receipt 发票 fāpiào
recently 最近 zuìjìn
recommend 推荐 tuījiàn
record 录 lù
recording 录音 lùyīn
recyclable 可回收 kě huíshōu
recycle 回收 huíshōu
red 红色 hóngsè
referee 裁判 cáipàn
reference (letter) 推荐(信) tuījiàn (xìn)
reflexology 反射疗法 fǎnshè liáofǎ
refrigerator 冰箱 bīngxiāng
refugee 难民 nànmín
refund 退钱 tuìqián
refuse 拒绝 jùjué
regional 地方性 dì fāng xìng
registered mail/post 挂号 guàhào
rehydration salts 补液盐 bǔyèyán
reiki 灵气按摩 língqì ànmó
relationship 关系 guānxì
relax 放松 fàngsōng
relic 活恐龙 huókǒnglóng
religion 宗教 zōngjiào
religious 宗教性的 zōngjiào xìngde
remote 偏僻 piānpì
remote control 遥控 yáokòng
rent 租赁 zūlìn
repair 修理 xiūlǐ
republic 共和国 gònghéguó
reservation (booking) 预定 yùdìng
rest 休息 xiūxi
restaurant 饭馆 fànguǎn
resumé (CV) 简历 jiǎnlì

retired 退休 tuìxiū
return (come back) 回来 huílái
return (ticket) 双程(票) shuāngchéng (piào)
review 复查 fùchá
rhythm 节奏 jiézòu
ribs (beef) 排骨 páigǔ
rice (raw) 大米 dàmǐ
rice (cooked) 米饭 mǐfàn
rice cake 年糕 niángāo
rice vinegar (white) 白醋 báicù
rich (wealthy) 有钱 yǒuqián
ride (horse) 骑 qí
right (correct) 对 duì
right (direction) 右边 yòubiān
right-wing 右派 yòupài
ring (on finger) 戒指 jièzhǐ
ring (phone) 打(电话) dǎ (diànhuà)
rip-off 贼人 zéirén
risk 风险 fēngxiǎn
river 川 chuān
road 道路 dàolù
road map 交通地图 jiāotōng dìtú
rob 偷 tōu
rock (stone) 石头 shítou
rock (music) 摇滚 yáogǔn
rock climbing 攀岩 pānyán
rock group 摇滚乐队 yáogǔn yuèduì
roll (bread) 小面包 xiǎo miànbāo
rollerblading 旱冰 hànbīng
romantic 浪漫 làngmàn
room 房间 fángjiān
room number 房间号 fángjiān hào
rope 绳子 shéngzi
round 圆 yuán
roundabout 圆环岛 yuánhuándǎo
route 路线 lùxiàn

rowing 划船 huáchuán
rubbish 垃圾 lājī
rubella 德国麻疹 déguó mázhěn
rug 地毯 dìtǎn
rugby 英式橄榄球 yīngshì gǎnlǎn qiú
ruins 废墟 fèixū
rule 规定 guīdìng
run 跑 pǎo
running (sport) 跑步 pǎobù
runny nose 流鼻涕 liú bítì
S
sad 郁闷 yùmèn
saddle 马鞍 mǎʼān
safe 安全 ānquán
safe sex 安全性交 ānquán xìngjiāo
safebox 保险箱 bǎoxiǎn xiāng
saint 圣人 shèngrén
salad 沙拉 shālā
salami 香肠 xiāngcháng
salary 薪水 xīnshuǐ
sale 大甩卖 dà shuǎimài
sales tax 销售税 xiāoshòu shuì
salmon 三文鱼 sānwén yú
salt 盐 yán
same 一样 yīyàng
sand 沙子 shāzi
sandal 凉鞋 liángxié
sanitary napkin 卫生巾 wèishēngjīn
sardine 咸鱼 xiányú
SARS 非典 fēidiǎn
Saturday 星期六 xīngqī liù
sauce 酱 jiàng
sauna 桑拿 sāngná

sausage 香肠 xiāngcháng
say 说 shuō
scarf 头巾 tóujīn
scenic area 风景区 fēngjǐngqū
school 学校 xuéxiào
science 科学 kēxué
scientist 科学家 kēxué jiā
scissors 剪刀 jiǎndāo
score (goal) 进球 jìnqiú
Scotland 苏格兰 Sūgélán
scrambled (stir-fried) 炒 chǎo
sculpture 塑像 sùxiàng
sea 海 hǎi
sea cucumber 海参 hǎishēn
seafood 海鲜 hǎixiān
seasick 晕船 yùnchuán
seaside 海边 hǎibiān
season 季节 jìjié
seat (place) 座位 zuòwèi
seatbelt 安全带 ānquándài
second 秒 miǎo
second 第二 dìʼèr
second-class 二等 èrděng
second-hand 二手 èrshǒu
second-hand shop 二手店 èrshǒu diàn
secretary 秘书 mìshū
see 看见 kànjiàn
self service 自助 zìzhù
self-employed 个体户 gètǐ hù
selfish 自私 zìsī
sell 卖 mài
send 寄送 jìsòng
sensible 有理的 yǒulǐde
sensual 肉体的 ròutǐde
separate 分开的 fēnkāide
September 九月 jiǔyuè

serious 严肃 yánsù
service 服务 fúwù
service charge 服务费 fúwù fèi
service station 加油站 jiāyóu zhàn
serviette 纸巾 zhǐjīn
sesame paste 芝麻酱 zhīma jiàng
several 好几个 hǎo jǐge
sew (mend) 补 bǔ
sew (not mend) 缝纫 féngrèn
sex 男女事 nánnǚ shì
sexism 重男轻女 zhòngnán qīngnǚ
sexy 性感 xìnggǎn
shade 树荫 shùyīn
shadow 影子 yǐngzi
shallots 小葱 xiǎocōng
shampoo 洗发膏 xǐfàgāo
Shanghai 上海 Shànghǎi
shape 形状 xíngzhuàng
share 公用 gōngyòng
shave 刮脸 guāliǎn
shaving cream 剃须膏 tìxūgāo
she 她 tā
sheep 绵羊 miányáng
sheet (bed) 床单 chuángdān
shelf 架子 jiàzi
shiatsu 指压按摩 zhǐyā ànmó
shingles (illness) 带状泡疹 dàizhuàng pàozhěn
ship 船 chuán
shirt 衬衫 chénshān
shoe 鞋 xié
shoe shop 鞋店 xiédiàn
shoes 鞋子 xiézi
shoot 打枪 dǎqiāng
shop 店 diàn
shop 买东西 mǎi dōngxi
shopping 逛街 guàngjiē

shopping centre 商场 shāngchǎng
short (height) 矮 ǎi
short (length) 短 duǎn
shortage 紧缺 jǐnquē
shorts 短裤 duǎnkù
shoulder 肩膀 jiānbǎng
shout 喊 hǎn
show 表演 biǎoyǎn
shower 浴室 yùshì
shrine 庙 miào
shut 关 guān
shy 害羞 hàixiū
sick 病 bìng
side 旁边 pángbiān
sign 牌子 páizi
signature 签名 qiānmíng
silk 丝绸 sīchóu
silver 银子 yínzi
silver medal 银牌 yínpái
similar 同样 tóngyàng
simple 简单 jiǎndān
since (May) 从(五月) 以来 cóng (wǔ yuè) yǐlái
sing 唱歌 chànggē
Singapore 新加坡 Xīnjiāpō
singer 歌手 gēshǒu
single (person) 单人 dānrén
single room 单人间 dānrén jiān
singlet 背心 bèixīn
sister (elder) 姐姐 jiějie
sister (younger) 妹妹 mèimei
sisters 姐妹 jiěmèi
sit 坐下 zuòxià
size (general) 大小 dàxiǎo
skateboarding 滑板 huábǎn
ski 滑雪 huáxuě
skiing 滑雪 huáxuě

skin 皮肤 pífū
skirt 裙子 qúnzi
skull 窟窿 kūlong
sky 天 tiān
sleep 睡觉 shuìjiào
sleeping bag 睡袋 shuìdài
sleeping berth 卧铺 wòpù
sleeping car 卧铺车厢 wòpù chēxiāng
sleeping pills 安眠药 ānmián yào
sleepy 犯困 fànkùn
slice (cake) 蛋糕 dàngāo
slide (film) 幻灯片 huàndēng piàn
slippers 拖鞋 tuōxié
slow 慢 màn
slowly 慢慢地 mànmande
small 小 xiǎo
smaller 更小 gèngxiǎo
smallest 最小 zuìxiǎo
smell 味道 wèidào
smile 微笑 wēixiào
smoke 抽烟 chōuyān
snack 小吃 xiǎochī
snail 蜗牛 wōniú
snake 蛇 shé
snorkelling 潜水 qiánshuǐ
snow 雪 xuě
snow pea 荷兰豆 hélán dòu
snowboarding 滑雪 huáxuě
soap 肥皂 féizào
soap opera 肥皂剧 féizào jù
soccer 足球 zúqiú
social welfare 社会福利 shèhuì fúlì
socialism 社会主义 shèhuì zhǔyì
socialist 社会主义战士 shèhuì zhǔyì zhànshì
sock(s) 袜子 wàzi
soft drink 汽水 qìshuǐ

soft seat 软座 ruǎnzuò
soft sleeper 软卧 ruǎnwò
soldier 军人 jūnrén
some 一些 yīxiē
someone 某人 mǒurén
something 一个什么的 yīge shénme de
sometimes 偶尔 ǒuʼěr
son 儿子 érzi
song 歌曲 gēqǔ
soon 快 kuài
sore 疮口 chuāngkǒu
soup 汤 tāng
sour plum drink 酸梅汤 suānméitāng
south 南 nán
souvenir 纪念品 jìniàn pǐn
souvenir shop 纪念品店 jìniànpǐn diàn
soybean 黄豆 huángdòu
soy milk (fresh) 豆浆 dòujiāng
soy milk (powdered) 豆奶粉 dòunǎi fěn
soy sauce 酱油 jiàngyóu
space 空间 kōngjiān
Spain 西班牙 Xībānyá
sparkling wine 香槟 xiāngbīn
speak 说话 shuōhuà
special 特别 tèbié
specialist 专家 zhuānjiā
speed 速度 sùdù
speed limit 最高车速 zuìgāo chēsù
speedometer 速度表 sùdù biǎo
spider 蜘蛛 zhīzhū
spinach 菠菜 bócài
spirits (Chinese alcohol) 白酒 báijiǔ
spoiled 烂掉了 làndiàole
spoon 勺 sháo
sport 体育 tǐyù
sports store 体育用品店 tǐyù yòngpǐn diàn

sportsperson 运动员 yùndòng yuán
sprain 扭伤 niǔshāng
spring (coil) 弹簧 tánhuáng
spring (season) 春天 chūntiān
Spring Festival 春节 chūnjié
square (town) 广场 guǎngchǎng
stadium 体育场 tǐyù chǎng
stairway 台阶 táijiē
stale 过时 guòshí
stamp 邮票 yóupiào
stand-by ticket 站台票 zhàntái piào
star 星星 xīngxing
(four-)star (四)星级 (sì) xīngjí
star anise 八角 bājiǎo
start 开头 kāitóu
start 开始 kāishǐ
station 车站 chēzhàn
stationer’s (shop) 文具店 wénjù diàn
statue 塑像 sùxiàng
stay (at a hotel) 住 zhù
stay (in one place) 留在 liúzài
steak (beef) 排骨 páigǔ
steal 偷 tōu
steamed bun 馒头 mántou
steep 陡 dǒu
step 台阶 táijiē
stereo 音响 yīnxiǎng
still water 净水 jìngshuǐ
stock (broth) 鸡汤 jītāng
stockings 长袜 chángwà
stolen 盗窃的 dàoqiède
stomach 肚子 dùzi
stomachache (to have a) 肚子疼 dùzi téng
stone 石头 shítou
stoned (drugged) 吃毒晕晕的 chīdú yūnyunde
stop (bus, tram, etc) 停 tíng

stop (cease) 停止 tíngzhǐ
stop (prevent) 防止 fángzhǐ
Stop! 救人! Jiùrén!
storm 风暴 fēngbào
story 故事 gùshi
stove 炉子 lúzi
straight 直接 zhíjiē
strange 奇怪 qíguài
stranger 陌生人 mòshēngrén
strawberry 草莓 cǎoméi
stream 山泉 shānquán
street 街头 jiētóu
street market 街市 jiēshì
strike 罢工 bàgōng
string 绳子 shéngzi
stroke (medical) 中风 zhòngfēng
stroll 散步 sànbù
stroller 婴儿推车 yīngʼér tuīchē
strong 有劲 yǒujìn
stubborn 固执 gùzhí
student 学生 xuéshēng
studio 工作室 gōngzuò shì
stupid 愚蠢 yúchǔn
style 风格 fēnggé
subtitles 字幕 zìmù
suburb 郊区 jiāoqū
subway 地铁 dìtiě
suffer 吃苦 chīkǔ
sugar 砂糖 shātáng
sugar cane 甘蔗 gānzhè
suitcase 旅行箱 lǚxíng xiāng
summer 夏天 xiàtiān
sun 太阳 tàiyáng
sunblock 防晒油 fángshài yóu
sunburn 晒伤 shàishāng
Sunday 星期天 xīngqītiān

sunflower seeds 瓜子 guāzǐ
sunglasses 墨镜 mòjìng
sunny 很晒 hěnshài
sunrise 日出 rìchū
sunset 日落 rìluò
sunstroke 中暑 zhòngshǔ
supermarket 超市 chāoshì
superstition 迷信 míxìn
supporter (politics) 支持者 zhīchí zhě
supporter (sport) 球迷 qiúmí
surf (waves) 海浪 hǎilàng
surface mail (land) (陆运)平信 (lùyùn) píngxìn
surface mail (sea) (海运)平信 (hǎiyùn) píngxìn
surfboard 冲浪板 chōnglàng bǎn
surfing 冲浪 chōnglàng
surname 姓 xìng
surprise 惊讶 jīngyà
sweater 上衣 shàngyī
Sweden 瑞典 Ruìdiǎn
sweet 甜 tián
sweet potato 地瓜 dìguā
sweets 甜点 tiándiǎn
swim 游泳 yóuyǒng
swimming (sport) 游泳 yóuyǒng
swimming pool 游泳池 yóuyǒng chí
swimsuit 游泳衣 yóuyǒng yī
Switzerland 瑞士 Ruìshi
swollen 肿了起来 zhǒngle qǐlái
synagogue 犹太教堂 yóutài jiàotáng
synthetic 人为的 rénwéide
syringe 注射针 zhùshè zhēn
T
table 桌子 zhuōzi

table tennis 乒乓球 pīngpāng qiú
tablecloth 桌布 zhuōbù
tail 尾巴 wěiba
tailor 裁缝 cáifeng
Taiwan 台湾 Táiwān
take 拿走 názǒu
take a photo 照相 zhàoxiàng
talk 谈话 tánhuà
tall 高 gāo
tampon 棉条 miántiáo
Taoism 道教 Dàojiào
tap 水龙头 shuǐlóngtóu
tap water 自来水 zìlái shuǐ
tape (recording) 磁带 cídài
tasty 好香 hǎoxiāng
tax 税 shuì
taxi 出租车 chūzū chē
taxi stand 出租车站 chūzū chē zhàn
tea 茶 chá
tea pot 茶壶 cháhú
teacher 老师 lǎoshī
teahouse 茶馆 cháguǎn
team 运动队 yùndòng duì
technique 做法 zuòfǎ
teeth 牙齿 yáchǐ
telegram 电报 diànbào
telephone 电话 diànhuà
telephone 打电话 dǎ diànhuà
telescope 望远镜 wàngyuǎn jìng
television 电视 diànshì
tell 告诉 gàosu
temperature (weather) 温度 wēndù
temperature (fever) 发烧 fāshāo
temple 寺庙 sìmiào
tennis 网球 wǎngqiú
tennis court 网球场 wǎngqiú chǎng

tent 帐篷 zhàngpeng
terrible 可怕的 kěpà de
test 考试 kǎoshì
thank 道谢 dàoxiè
thank you 谢谢 xièxie
that (one) 那个 nàge
theatre 剧场 jùchǎng
their 他们的 tāmen de
there 那边 nàbian
thermos 热水瓶 rèshuǐpíng
they 他们 tāmen
thick 厚 hòu
thief 小偷 xiǎotōu
thin 薄 báo
think 想 xiǎng
third 第三 dìsān
thirsty (to be) 渴 kě
this (month) 这个(月) zhège (yuè)
this (one) 这个 zhège
thread 棉线 miánxiàn
throat 脖子 bózi
thrush (health) 鹅口疮 ékǒuchuāng
thunderstorm 雷雨 léiyǔ
Thursday 星期四 xīngqī sì
Tibet 西藏 Xīzàng
ticket 票 piào
ticket collector 售票员 shòupiào yuán
ticket office 票房 piàofáng
tide 潮流 cháoliú
tight 很紧 hěnjǐn
time 时间 shíjiān
time difference 时差 shíchā
timetable 时刻表 shíkè biǎo
tin (can) 罐头 guàntou
tin opener 开罐器 kāiguànqì
tiny 微小 wēixiǎo

tip (gratuity) 消费 xiāofèi
tired 累 lèi
tissues 纸巾 zhǐjīn
to (go to, come to) 到 dào
toast 烤面包 kǎo miànbāo
tobacco 烟丝 yānsī
tobacco kiosk 烟摊 yāntān
today 今天 jīntiān
toe 脚指头 jiǎo zhǐtou
tofu 豆腐 dòufu
together 一起 yīqǐ
toilet 厕所 cèsuǒ
toilet paper 手纸 shǒuzhǐ
tomato 西红柿 xīhóngshì
tomato sauce 番茄酱 fānqié jiàng
tomb 坟墓 fénmù
tomorrow 明天 míngtiān
tomorrow afternoon 明天下午 míngtiān xiàwǔ
tomorrow evening 明天晚上 míngtiān wǎnshàng
tomorrow morning 明天早上 míngtiān zǎoshàng
tonight 今天晚上 jīntiān wǎnshàng
too (expensive, etc) 太 tài
tooth 牙齿 yáchǐ
toothache 牙齿疼 yáchǐ téng
toothbrush 牙刷 yáshuā
toothpaste 牙膏 yágāo
toothpick 牙签 yáqiān
torch (flashlight) 手电筒 shǒudiàntǒng
touch 触摸 chùmō
tour 向导游 xiàngdǎo yóu
tourist 旅客 lǚkè
tourist hotel 旅店 lǚdiàn
tourist office 旅行店 lǚxíng diàn
towards 向 xiàng
towel 毛巾 máojīn
tower (telecom) (电视)塔 (diànshì) tǎ

toxic waste 有毒废物 yǒudú fèiwù
toy shop 玩具店 wánjù diàn
track (path) 山路 shānlù
track (sport) 田径 tiánjìng
trade 行业 hángyè
tradesperson 工匠 gōngjiàng
traffic 交通 jiāotōng
traffic light 红绿灯 hónglǜdēng
trail 步行 bùxíng
train 火车 huǒchē
train station 火车站 huǒchē zhàn
tram 电车 diànchē
transit lounge 转机室 zhuǎnjī shì
translate 翻译 fānyì
transport 运输 yùnshū
travel 旅游 lǚyóu
travel agency 旅行社 lǚxíng shè
travel sickness 晕车 yùnchē
travellers cheque(s) 旅行支票 lǚxíng zhīpiào
tree 树 shù
trip (journey) 旅程 lǚchéng
trolley 车子 chēzi
trousers 休闲裤 xiūxián kù
truck 卡车 kǎchē
trust 信用 xìnyòng
try 尝试 chángshì
try 试图 shìtú
T-shirt T恤 tīxù
tube (tyre) 内胎 nèitāi
Tuesday 星期二 xīngqī èr
tumour 肿瘤 zhǒngliú
tuna 金枪鱼 jīnqiāngyú
tune 曲调 qǔdiào
turkey 火鸡 huǒjī
turn 转身 zhuǎnshēn
TV 电视 diànshì

tweezers 镊子 nièzi
twice 两次 liǎngcì
twin room 双人房 shuāngrén fáng
twins 双胞胎 shuāngbāo tāi
two 两个 liǎngge
type 类型 lèixíng
typical 通常 tōngcháng
tyre 轮胎 lúntāi
U
ultrasound 超声检查 chāoshēng jiǎnchá
umbrella 雨伞 yǔsǎn
uncomfortable 不舒服 bù shūfu
understand 懂 dǒng
underwear 内衣 nèiyī
unemployed 事业 shìyè
unfair 不公平 bù gōngpíng
uniform 工作服 gōngzuò fú
universe 宇宙 yǔzhòu
university 大学 dàxué
unleaded 无铅 wúqiān
unsafe 不安全 bù ānquán
until (Friday, etc) 一直到 yīzhí dào
unusual 反常 fǎncháng
up 上 shàng
uphill 上坡 shàngpō
urgent 要紧 yàojǐn
urinary infection 尿道感染 niàodào gǎnrǎn
USA 美国 Měiguó
useful 有用的 yǒuyòng de
V
vacancy 空房 kōngfáng

vacant 有空 yǒukòng
vacation 度假 dùjià
vaccination 免疫针 miǎnyì zhēn
vagina 阴道 yīndào
validate 确认 quèrèn
valley 山谷 shāngǔ
valuable 贵重 guìzhòng
value (price) 实价 shíjià
van 面的 miàndī
veal (beef) 牛肉 niúròu
vegetable 蔬菜 shūcài
vegetarian 吃素的 chīsù de
vein 血脉 xuèmài
venereal disease 性病 xìngbìng
venue 地点 dìdiǎn
vermicelli 粉丝 fěnsī
very 很 hěn
video recorder 录像机 lùxiàng jī
video tape 录像带 lùxiàng dài
Vietnam 越南 Yuènán
view 视野 shìyě
villa 别墅 biéshù
village 村庄 cūnzhuāng
vine (creeper) 攀藤 pānténg
vinegar 醋 cù
vineyard 葡萄园 pútáo yuán
virus 病毒 bìngdú
visa 签证 qiānzhèng
visit 拜访 bàifǎng
vitamins 维生素 wéishēngsù
vodka 伏特加 fútèjiā
voice 声音 shēngyīn
volleyball (sport) 排球 páiqiú
volume 声音大小 shēngyīn dàxiǎo
vote 投票 tóupiào

W
wage 工资 gōngzī
wait (for) 等 děng
waiter 服务员 fúwù yuán
waiting room 等候室 děnghòu shì
wake (someone) up 叫醒 jiàoxǐng
walk 走路 zǒulù
wall (outer) 墙壁 qiángbì
want 想要 xiǎngyào
war 战争 zhànzhēng
wardrobe 衣柜 yīguì
warehouse 仓库 cāngkù
warm 暖和 nuǎnhuo
warn 警告 jǐnggào
wash 洗 xǐ
wash cloth (flannel) 毛巾 máojīn
washing machine 洗衣机 xǐyī jī
watch 手表 shǒubiǎo
watch 观望 guānwàng
water 水 shuǐ
water bottle (hot) 热水袋 rèshuǐ dài
waterfall 瀑布 pùbù
watermelon 西瓜 xīguā
waterproof 防水 fángshuǐ
waterskiing 滑水 huáshuǐ
wave 海浪 hǎilàng
way 道 dào
we 我们 wǒmen
weak 弱 ruò
wealthy 富裕 fùyù
wear 穿 chuān
weather 气候 qìhòu
wedding 婚礼 hūnlǐ
wedding cake 喜糖 xǐtáng

wedding present 红包 hóngbāo
Wednesday 星期三 xīngqī sān
week 星期 xīngqī
(this) week (这个)礼拜 (zhège) lǐbài
weekend 周末 zhōumò
weigh 称 chēng
weight 重量 zhòngliàng
weights (lift) 健身 jiànshēn
welcome 欢迎 huānyíng
welfare 福利 fúlì
well 很好 hěnhǎo
west 西 xī
wet 湿透 shītòu
what 什么 shénme
wheel 车轮 chēlún
wheelchair 轮椅 lúnyǐ
when 什么时候 shénme shíhòu
where 哪里 nǎli
which 哪个 nǎge
whisky 威士忌 wèishìjì
white 白色 báisè
who 谁 shéi
wholemeal bread 粗谷面包 cūgǔ miànbāo
why 为什么 wèi shénme
wide 宽 kuān
wife 太太 tàitai
wild rice root 茭白 jiāobái
win 胜利 shènglì
wind 风 fēng
window 窗 chuāng
windscreen 防风屏 fángfēng píng
windsurfing 滑浪风帆 huálàng fēngfān
wine 葡萄酒 pútáo jiǔ
wings 翅膀 chìbǎng
winner 胜利者 shènglìzhě
winter 冬天 dōngtiān

wire 金属丝 jīnshǔ sī
wish 祝愿 zhùyuàn
with 跟 gēn
within (an hour) (一个小时)以内 (yīge xiǎoshí) yǐnèi
without 以外 yǐwài
wok 锅 guō
woman 女人 nǚrén
wonderful 奇妙 qímiào
won ton soup 馄饨 húntun
won ton stall 馄饨摊 húntun tān
wood 木柴 mùchái
wool 羊毛 yángmáo
word 单词 dāncí
work 工作 gōngzuò
work 打工 dǎgōng
work experience 实习 shíxí
work permit 工作证 gōngzuò zhèng
work unit 单位 dānwèi
workout 锻炼 duànliàn
workshop 工作室 gōngzuòshì
world 世界 shìjiè
World Cup 世界杯 shìjiè bēi
world record 世界纪录 shìjiè jìlù
worm 蚯蚓 qiūyǐn
worried 着急 zháojí
worship 崇拜 chóngbài
wrist 手腕 shǒuwàn
write 写 xiě
writer 作家 zuòjiā
wrong 错 cuò
Y
year 年 nián
(this) year (今)年 (jīn) nián

yellow 黄色 huángsè
yes 是 shì
yesterday 昨天 zuótiān
(not) yet 还(没有) hái (méiyǒu)
yoga 瑜伽 yújiā
yoghurt 酸奶 suānnǎi
you (inf) 你 nǐ
you (polite, Beijing) 您 nín
you (plural) 你们 nǐmen
young 年轻 niánqīng
your 你的 nǐde
youth hostel 旅栈 lǚzhàn
Z
zip/zipper 拉链 lāliàn
zodiac 星象 xīngxiàng
zoo 动物园 dòngwù yuán
zucchini 西葫芦 xī húlu

mandarin–english
一画 1 stroke
二画 2 strokes
三画 3 strokes
四画 4 strokes
五画 5 strokes
六画 6 strokes
七画 7 strokes
八画 8 strokes
九画 9 strokes
十画 10 strokes
十一画 11 strokes
十二画 12 strokes
十三画 13 strokes
十四画 14 strokes
十五画 15 strokes
十六至二十三画 16 to 23 strokes
The Mandarin-English dictionary is arranged according to the number of

strokes in the first character of the Chinese word. Thus, the dictionary
commences with 一个 yīge ‘one’ (the character 一 yī has one stroke), and
concludes with 罐头 guàntou (罐 guàn has 23 strokes). As there are many
first characters with the same number of strokes, the characters within this
number-of-strokes classification system are then ordered according to
radical – the element of a character which conveys the meaning of a word.
The symbols , and (indicating noun, adjective and verb) have been
added for clarity where an English term could be either.

这是一个中英文单词对照表,用于帮助这位老外明白您想说的话。请
从表中查出相关的中文单词,再指出所对应的英文词条。中文词条是
按首字笔画数目多少排序。同笔画字则按起笔一（横, 横钩, 提）丨
（竖, 竖钩）, 撇丿丶（捺, 点）乛（折, 钩等）排序。多谢您的热心
帮助。
(Translation: This is a Chinese–English vocabulary correspondence table,
which has been developed to help this foreigner understand what you wish
to say. Please find the relevant word from the table, and point to the
corresponding English word on the right. The Chinese words on the left
are listed by number of strokes. Characters with the same number of
strokes are ordered according to their first stroke in order of cross stroke,
down stroke, left-down, right-down and hook. Many thanks for your kind
help.)
一画 1 stroke
一个 yīge one
一无所有 yīwú suǒyǒu nothing
一切 yīqiè everything
一月 yīyuè January
一直到 yīzhí dào until (Friday, etc)
一起 yīqǐ together
一顿饭 yīdùn fàn meal
二画 2 strokes
二月 èryuè February
二等 èrděng second class
十一月 shíyī yuè November
十二月 shí’èr yuè December
十月 shíyuè October
T-恤 tīxù T-shirt
七月 qīyuè July
人 rén mankind
人参 rénshēn ginseng

入口 rùkǒu entry
入场费 rùchǎng fèi cover charge
八月 bāyuè August
儿子 érzi son
九月 jiǔyuè September
刀 dāo knife
三画 3 strokes
三月 sānyuè March
干 gān dry
干净 gānjìng clean
干部 gànbù communist party official
上 shàng up
上衣 shàngyī sweater
工人 gōngrén factory worker
工作 gōngzuò job
工程师 gōngchéng shī engineer
工程学 gōngchéng xué engineering
下(车) xiàchē get off (a train, etc)
下个 xiàge next (month)
(今天)下午 (jīntiān) xiàwǔ (this) afternoon
下雨 xiàyǔ rain
下面 xiàmian down
大 dà big
大小 dàxiǎo size
大夫 dàifu doctor
大巴 dàbā bus (city)
大米 dàmǐ rice (raw)
大衣 dàyī coat
大佛 dàfó Buddha
大使 dàshǐ ambassador
大使馆 dàshǐguǎn embassy
大学 dàxué university
大麻 dàmá dope (drugs)

川 chuān river
小 xiǎo small
小刀 xiǎodāo penknife
小心! Xiǎoxīn! Careful!
小吃 xiǎochī snack
小时 xiǎoshí hour
小卖部 xiǎo màibù convenience store • kiosk
小姐 xiǎojiě Ms/Miss
小娃娃 xiǎo wáwa baby
小路 xiǎolù path
口 kǒu mouth
口红 kǒuhóng lipstick
山 shān mountain
门票钱 ménpiàoqián admission price • fare
勺 sháo spoon
广东话 Guǎngdōng huà Cantonese (language)
女人 nǚrén woman
女士 nǚshì Mrs
女同性恋 nǚ tóngxìng liàn lesbian
女性 nǚxìng female
女朋友 nǚpéngyou girlfriend
女孩子 nǚháizi daughter • girl
已婚 yǐ hūn married
卫生巾 wèishēngjīn panty liners • sanitary napkins
叉子 chāzi fork
广场 guǎngchǎng square (town)
飞 fēi fly
飞机 fēijī aeroplane
飞机场 fēijī chǎng airport
乡下 xiāngxià countryside
四画 4 strokes
开车 kāichē drive
开放 kāifàng open

开罐器 kāiguàn qì can • tin opener
无聊 wúliáo boring
元旦 yuándàn New Year’s Day
艺术 yìshù art
艺术馆 yìshùguǎn art gallery
艺术家 yìshùjiā artist
不可能 bù kěnéng impossible
不对 bùduì no
不同 bùtóng different
不吸烟 bù xīyān nonsmoking
不舒服 bù shūfu uncomfortable
长 cháng long
长城 Chángchéng Great Wall
长途车 chángtú chē bus (intercity)
长途车站 chángtú chēzhàn bus station
长袜 chángwà pantyhose
长裤 chángkù pants (trousers)
木柴 mùchái wood
支票 zhīpiào cheque
太阳 tàiyáng sun
比赛 bǐsài match (sports)
五月 wǔyuè May
车子 chēzi trolley
车号 chēhào car registration
车灯 chēdēng headlights
车闸 chēzhá brakes
车站 chēzhàn bus stop • station
车租赁 chē zūlìn car hire
牙齿疼 yáchǐ téng toothache
牙医 yáyī dentist
牙刷 yáshuā toothbrush
牙膏 yágāo toothpaste
切 qiē cut
止痛药 zhǐtòngyào painkiller
少 shǎo less
中午 zhōngwǔ midday

中文 Zhōngwén Chinese (language)
中心 zhōngxīn centre
中国 Zhōngguó China
中华人民共和国 Zhōnghuá rénmín gònghé guó PRC
中医 Zhōngyī Chinese medicine doctor
中药 Zhōngyào Chinese medicine
日本 Rìběn Japan
日出 rìchū dawn
日常 rìcháng daily
日期 rìqī date (day)
日程表 rìchéng biǎo itinerary
日出 rìchū sunrise
日落 rìluò sunset
月 yuè month
水 shuǐ water
水龙头 shuǐlóngtóu faucet • tap
水果 shuǐguǒ fruit
内衣 nèiyī underwear
牛仔裤 niúzǎi kù jeans
牛奶 niúnǎi milk
牛肉 niúròu beef
午饭 wǔfàn lunch
午夜 wǔyè midnight
气 qì chi • qi
手 shǒu hand
手工艺 shǒugōngyì handicrafts
手工的 shǒugōng de handmade
手电筒 shǒudiàntǒng flashlight • torch
手袋 shǒudài handbag
手提包 shǒutíbāo briefcase
手机 shǒujī mobile phone
手套 shǒutào glove(s)
手纸 shǒuzhǐ toilet paper
手续 shǒuxù paperwork
手表 shǒubiǎo watch
毛巾 máojīn towel

毛衣 máoyī jumper • sweater
毛毯 máotǎn blanket
斤 jīn jīn (measure)
什么时候 shénme shíhòu when
反胃 fǎnwèi nausea
父亲 fùqin father
从 cóng from
父母 fùmǔ parents
火车 huǒchē train
火车站 huǒchēzhàn railway station
火柴 huǒchái matches (for lighting)
今天 jīntiān today
今天晚上 jīntiān wǎnshàng tonight
分 fēn fēn (measure)
分钟 fēnzhōng minute
公斤 gōngjīn kilogram
公司 gōngsī company (business)
公用 gōngyòng share
公用电话 gōngyòng diànhuà public telephone
公园 gōngyuán park
公安 gōng’ān police officer (in country)
公安局 gōng’ān jú PSB
公里 gōnglǐ kilometre
公厕 gōngcè public toilet
公寓 gōngyù apartment (upmarket)
风俗 fēngsú custom
风水 fēngshuǐ feng shui
方向 fāngxiàng direction
六月 liùyuè June
文具店 wénjù diàn stationer’s (shop)
计算器 jìsuànqì calculator
计算机 jìsuànjī computer
心脏 xīnzàng heart
心脏病 xīnzàngbìng heart condition
为什么 wèi shénme why
双边插座 shuāngbiān chāzuò adaptor

双人床 shuāngrén chuáng double bed
双人间 shuāngrén jiān double room
双人房 shuāngrén fáng twin room
双程(票) shuāngchéng (piào) return (ticket)
书 shū book
幻灯片 huàndēng piàn slide (film)
五画 5 strokes
未婚夫 wèihūnfū fiancé
未婚妻 wèihūnqī fiancée
去 qù go
玉米 yùmǐ corn
打开 dǎkāi open
打火机 dǎhuǒjī cigarette lighter
打电话 dǎ diànhuà telephone
打印机 dǎyìnjī printer (computer)
打扫 dǎsǎo clean
打扮 dǎbàn make-up
打针 dǎzhēn injection
古代 gǔdài ancient
古典 gǔdiǎn classical
古董 gǔdǒng antique
古董市场 gǔdǒng shìchǎng antique market
艾滋病 àizībìng AIDS
节日 jiérì festival
左边 zuǒbian left (direction)
右边 yòubian right (direction)
石油 shíyóu oil (food)
头 tóu head
头巾 tóujīn scarf
头疼 tóuténg headache
头等舱 tóuděng cāng first class
商务舱 shāngwù cāng business class
东方 dōngfāng east

北边 běibian north
北京烤鸭 Běijīng kǎoyā Peking duck
以上 yǐshàng on
以外 yǐwài without
以后 yǐhòu after • later
目的地 mùdì dì destination
兄弟 xiōngdi brother
叫 jiào call
叫醒 jiàoxǐng wake (someone) up
(美)元 (Měi) yuán dollar (American)
号码 hàomǎ number
电子用品店 diànzǐ yòngpǐn diàn electrical store
电子邮件 diànzǐ yóujiàn email
电子舞会 diànzǐ wǔhuì rave
电风扇 diànfēngshàn fan (machine)
电池 diànchí battery
电报 diànbào telegram
电视 diànshì television
电话 diànhuà telephone
电话卡 diànhuà kǎ phone card
电梯 diàntī elevator • lift
电影 diànyǐng movie
电影院 diànyǐngyuàn cinema
四月 sìyuè April
生日 shēngrì birthday
生意 shēngyì business
皮革 pígé leather
付款 fùkuǎn payment
代理费 dàilǐ fèi commission
他 tā he
他的 tāde his
乐队 yuèduì band (music)
冬天 dōngtiān winter
外套 wàitào jacket
外国人 wàiguó rén foreigner
外面 wàimian outside

包 bāo bag • packet
包子 bāozi dumpling (steamed)
包括 bāokuò included
包裹 bāoguǒ package • parcel
写 xiě write
市中心 shìzhōngxīn city centre
市场 shìchǎng market
白天 báitiān day
白色 báisè white
半个 bànge half
礼物 lǐwù present
记者 jìzhě journalist
民主主义 mínzhǔ zhǔyì democracy
出口 chūkǒu exit
出去 chūqù go out
出发 chūfā departure
出生日 chūshēngrì date of birth
出生证 chūshēngzhèng birth certificate
出纳 chūnà cashier
出事 chūshì emergency
出差 chūchāi business trip
出租车 chūzū chē taxi
出租车站 chūzū chē zhàn taxi stand
奶奶 nǎinai grandmother (paternal)
奶酪 nǎilào cream (dairy)
加油站 jiāyóu zhàn service station
加拿大 Jiānádà Canada
加油站 jiāyóu zhàn petrol station
发动机 fādòngjī engine
发烧 fāshāo fever
发票 fāpiào receipt
边界 biānjiè border
圣诞节 shèngdànjié Christmas
对方付款电话 duìfāng fùkuǎn diànhuà collect call
台阶 táijiē stairway
台湾 Táiwān Taiwan

母亲 mǔqīn mother
幼儿园 yòu’éryuán childminding
丝绸 sīchóu silk
六画 6 strokes
买 mǎi buy
买东西 mǎi dōngxi shop
亚麻布 yàmá bù linen (material)
交换 jiāohuàn exchange
价格 jiàgé cost • price
休闲裤 xiūxián kù trousers
休息 xiūxi intermission
会议 huìyì conference (big)
会合 huìhé conference (small)
传真机 chuánzhēnjī fax machine
伤害 shānghài injury
先生 xiānsheng Mr
光 guāng light
光盘(CD) CD (English pronunciation) CD
共产主义 gòngchǎn zhǔyì communism
关 guān shut
关口 guānkǒu pass (mountain)
关门 guānmén closed
关闭 guānbì close
再一个 zài yīge another
再见 zàijiàn goodbye
军人 jūnrén soldier
农民 nóngmín farmer (peasant)
冰 bīng ice
冰冻 bīngdòng frozen
冰箱 bīngxiāng refrigerator
动物 dòngwù animal
动物园 dòngwù yuán zoo
危险 wēixiǎn dangerous

吃饭 chīfàn eat
吃的 chīde food
吃素的 chīsù de vegetarian
同……一样 tóng … yīyàng like
同伙 tónghuǒ companion
同志(吧) tóngzhì (bā) gay (bar)
同事 tóngshì colleague
同性恋 tóngxìng liàn homosexual
名字 míngzi given name • name
后 hòu rear (seat etc)
后天 hòutiān day after tomorrow
团体旅行 tuántǐ lǚxíng guided tour
因特网 yīntèwǎng Internet
回来 huílái return (come back)
在……上 zài … shàng aboard
在……里面 zài … lǐmian in
地方 dìfāng local
地址 dìzhǐ address
地图 dìtú map
地铁 dìtiě subway
地铁站 dìtiě zhàn subway station
地震 dìzhèn earthquake
(网球)场 (wǎngqiú) chǎng court (tennis)
多 duō more
她的 tāde her
好 hǎo good
好香 hǎoxiāng tasty
字幕 zìmù subtitles
存钱 cúnqián deposit (bank)
孙子 sūnzi grandchild
安全 ānquán safe
安全性交 ānquán xìngjiāo safe sex
安全带 ānquándài seatbelt
安静 ānjìng quiet
导游 dǎoyóu guide (person)
年 nián year

年龄 niánlíng age
忙得 mángde in a hurry
收费公路 shōufèi gōnglù motorway (tollway)
收音机 shōuyīnjī radio
收银台 shōuyín tái cash register
早 zǎo early
早上 zǎoshàng morning
早饭 zǎofàn breakfast
有毛病 yǒu máobìng faulty
约会 yuēhuì appointment
有事 yǒushì engaged (occupied)
有空 yǒukòng free (available) • vacant
有空调的 yǒu kōngtiáo de air-conditioned
有保证 yǒu bǎozhèng guaranteed
有病 yǒubìng ill
有暖气 yǒu nuǎnqì heated
机场税 jīchǎng shuì airport tax
杂技 zájì circus
灰色 huīsè grey
爷爷 yéye grandfather (paternal)
百货商店 bǎihuò shāngdiàn department store
米 mǐ metre
米饭 mǐfàn rice (cooked)
红色 hóngsè red
纪念品 jìniàn pǐn souvenir
纪念品店 jìniànpǐn diàn souvenir shop
网吧 wǎngbā Internet café
网球 wǎngqiú tennis
网球场 wǎngqiú chǎng tennis court
羊毛 yángmáo wool
羊肉 yángròu lamb
耳朵 ěrduo ear
老 lǎo old
老公 lǎogōng husband
老师 lǎoshī teacher
老百姓 lǎobǎixìng common people

老婆 lǎopo wife
肉 ròu meat
肉店 ròudiàn butcher’s shop
自动取款机 zìdòng qǔkuǎn jī automated teller machine (ATM)
自行车 zìxíngchē bicycle
自行车骑手 zìxíngchē qíshǒu cyclist
自助 zìzhù self service
血型 xuèxíng blood group
血液 xuè yè blood
行李 xíngli luggage
行李寄存 xíngli jìcún luggage lockers
行李领取处 xíngli lǐngqǔ qù baggage claim
衣服 yīfu clothing
西 xī west
西药房 xīyào fáng pharmacy
西班牙 Xībānyá Spain
西藏 Xīzàng Tibet
许可证 xǔkězhèng pass (permit)
过时 guòshí off (spoiled)
过夜 guòyè overnight
超重(行李) chāozhòng xíngli excess (baggage)
那个 nàge that (one)
那边 nàbian there
防晒油 fángshài yóu sunblock
七画 7 strokes
两个 liǎngge two
两个都 liǎnggedōu both
住宿 zhùsù accommodation
体育用品店 tǐyù yòngpǐn diàn sports • sports shop • store
体育场 tǐyù chǎng stadium
运动员 yùndòng yuán sportsperson
佛寺 fósì monastery (Buddhist)
佛教 Fójiào Buddhism

佛教徒 Fójiào tú Buddhist
你 nǐ you (inf)
克 kè gram
免疫针 miǎnyì zhēn vaccination
免费 miǎnfèi free (gratis)
免费行李 miǎnfèi xíngli baggage allowance
兑现 duìxiàn cash (a cheque)
兑换率 duìhuàn lǜ exchange rate
冷 lěng cold
医学 yīxué medicine (study, profession)
医药 yīyào medicine (medication)
医院 yīyuàn hospital
吵 chǎo loud
帐单 zhàngdān bill (restaurant etc)
听 tīng listen (to)
坏了 huàile out of order
坟地 féndì cemetery
妓女 jìnǚ prostitute
尿裤 niàokù diaper • nappy
层 céng floor (storey)
岛 dǎo island
床 chuáng bed
床单 chuángdān bed linen
弟弟 dìdi brother (younger)
快 kuài fast • soon
快乐 kuàilè happy
快递(信) kuàidì xìn express (mail)
怀孕 huáiyùn pregnant
我 wǒ I • me
我们的 wǒmen our
我的 wǒde my
戒指 jièzhi ring (on finger)
扶梯 fútī escalator
投诉 tóusù complaint
折扣 zhékòu discount
抗菌素 kàngjūnsù antibiotics

护士 hùshi nurse
护照 hùzhào passport
护照号码 hùzhào hàomǎ passport number
扭伤 niǔshāng sprain
报纸 bàozhǐ newspaper
抛锚 pāomáo broken down (car)
时刻表 shíkè biǎo timetable
时差反应 shíchā fǎnyìng jet lag
更大 gèngdà bigger
更小 gèngxiǎo smaller
更好 gènghǎo better
更衣室 gēngyīshì changing room
来信 láixìn mail (letters)
步行 bùxíng hike
每(天) měitiān per (day)
每个 měige each
每个人 měige rén everyone
每次 měicì every
沙滩 shātān beach
沙漠 shāmò desert
汽油 qìyóu oil (petroleum) • petrol
没空 méikòng no vacancy
男人 nánrén man (male person)
男女事 nánnǚ shì sex
男朋友 nánpéngyou boyfriend
男孩子 nán háizi boy
社会主义战士 shèhuì zhǔyì zhànshì socialist
私人 sīrén private
纸巾 zhǐjīn tissues
纸币 zhǐbì banknote
罕见 hǎnjiàn rare (uncommon)
肚子 dùzi stomach
肚子疼 dùzi téng indigestion • stomachache
肠胃炎 chángwèiyán gastroenteritis
花园 huāyuán garden
花粉热 huāfěn rè hay fever

苏格兰 Sūgélán Scotland
证件 zhèngjiàn identification • papers (official documents)
词典 cídiǎn dictionary
豆浆 dòujiāng soy milk (fresh)
豆腐 dòufu tofu
走廊 zǒuláng aisle (on plane)
走路 zǒulù walk
足够 zúgòu enough
足球 zúqiú football (soccer)
身份证 shēnfēn zhèng identification card (ID)
近 jìn near
这个 zhège this (one)
这里 zhèlǐ here
进港口 jìngǎngkǒu arrivals
远 yuǎn far
连衣裙 liányīqún dress
连接 liánjiē connection
迟到 chídào late
邮电 yóudiàn mail (postal system)
邮政编码 yóuzhèng biānmǎ post code
邮局 yóujú post office
邮票 yóupiào stamp
针灸 zhēnjiǔ acupuncture
针线 zhēnxiàn needle (sewing)
阿姨 āyí aunt
阿斯匹林 āsīpǐlín aspirin
附近 fùjìn nearby
(陆运)平信 (lùyùn) píngxìn surface mail (land)
饭馆 fànguǎn restaurant
饮料 yǐnliào drink
鸡 jī chicken
鸡蛋 jīdàn egg (chicken)
八画 8 strokes

现代 xiàndài modern
现在 xiànzài now
现金 xiànjīn cash
表演 biǎoyǎn show art
武术 (中国功夫) wǔshù (Zhōngguó gōngfu) martial arts (Chinese Kung
fu)
其他 qítā other
取消 qǔxiāo cancel
抽烟 chōuyān smoke
拉稀 lāxī diarrhoea
拉链 lāliàn zip • zipper
事故 shìgù accident
卧室 wòshì bedroom
卧铺车厢 wòpù chēxiāng sleeping car
直接 zhíjiē direct
直播 zhíbō direct-dial
苦 kǔ bitter
英文 Yīngwén English
英文老师 Yīngwén lǎoshī English teacher
英国 Yīngguó England
英俊 yīngjùn handsome
雨伞 yǔsǎn umbrella
雨衣 yǔyī raincoat
杯子 bēizi cup
枕头 zhěntou pillow
画 huà painting (a work)
画画儿 huàhuàr painting (the art)
画家 huàjiā painter
厕所 cèsuǒ toilet
矿泉水 kuàngquán shuǐ mineral water
转机室 zhuǎnjī shì transit lounge
软卧 ruǎnwò soft sleeper
软座 ruǎnzuò soft seat
软盘 ruǎnpán disk (floppy)
轮椅 lúnyǐ wheelchair
轮胎 lúntāi tyre

欧元 Ōuyuán euro
欧洲 Ōuzhōu Europe
到 dào to (go to, come to)
垃圾 lājī garbage
垃圾箱 lājī xiāng garbage can
周末 zhōumò weekend
味道 wèidào smell
咖啡 kāfēi coffee
咖啡色 kāfēi sè brown
咖啡屋 kāfēi wū café
国际象棋 guójì xiàngqí chess (International)
国家 guójiā country (nation)
明天 míngtiān tomorrow
明天下午 míngtiān xiàwǔ tomorrow afternoon
明天早上 míngtiān zǎoshàng tomorrow morning
明天晚上 míngtiān wǎnshàng tomorrow evening
明信片 míngxìnpiàn postcard
朋友 péngyou friend
服务 fúwù service
服务员 fúwù yuán waiter
服务费 fúwù fèi service charge
服装店 fúzhuāngdiàn clothing store
肥皂 féizào soap
图书馆 túshū guǎn library
账单 zhàngdān (bank) account
账单 zhàngdān check (bill)
钓鱼 diàoyú fishing
刮脸 guāliǎn shave
刮痧 guāshā cupping (therapy)
季节 jìjié season
岳父 yuèfù father-in-law
岳母 yuèmǔ mother-in-law
昏迷 hūnmí concussion
货币兑换 huòbì duìhuàn currency exchange
往后退 wǎnghòutuì delay
炸 zhá fry (stir-fry)

炒菜 chǎocài cook
贪污 tānwū corrupt
鱼 yú fish
鱼摊 yútān fish shop
狗 gǒu dog
京剧 jīngjù classical theatre
京剧 jīngjù opera (Chinese)
夜总会 yèzǒnghuì nightclub
店 diàn shop
废墟 fèixū ruins
闹钟 nàozhōng alarm clock
定 dìng book (make a booking)
定满 dìngmǎn booked out
宝贝 bǎobèi child
实惠 shíhuì cheap
空 kōng empty
空房 kōngfáng vacancy
法国 Fǎguó France
法律 fǎlǜ law (study, professsion)
注射针 zhùshè zhēn needle (syringe)
浅色 qiǎnsè light (of colour)
单人 dānrén single (person)
单人间 dānrén jiān single room
单程 dānchéng one-way (ticket)
学生 xuéshēng student
房东 fángdōng landlady
房地产公司 fángdìchǎn gōngsī estate agency
房间 fángjiān room
房间号 fángjiān hào room number
肩膀 jiānbǎng shoulder
衬衫 chènshān shirt
视野 shìyě view
建筑师 jiànzhùshī architect
建筑学 jiànzhùxué architecture
录像机 lùxiàng jī video recorder
录像带 lùxiàng dài video tape

妹妹 mèimei sister (younger)
姐姐 jiějie sister (elder)
姓 xìng family name
驾照 jiàzhào drivers licence
纸 zhǐ paper
经络按摩 jīngluò ànmó pressure point massage
经济舱 jīngjì cāng economy class
九画 9 strokes
春天 chūntiān spring (season)
毒品 dúpǐn drug (illicit)
玻璃杯 bōli bēi glass (drinking)
玻璃 bōli glass (material)
帮助 bāngzhù help
帮 bāng help
城市 chéngshì city
项链 xiàngliàn necklace
挂号 guàhào registered mail/post
指 zhǐ point
指头 zhǐtou finger
指南书 zhǐnán shū guidebook
按摩 ànmó massage
按摩师 ànmó shī masseur • masseuse
垫子 diànzi mattress
政治 zhèngzhì politics
胡同 hútòng alleyway
点心 diǎnxīn dim sum
药片 yàopiàn pill
药方 yàofāng prescription
药剂师 yàojì shī chemist (pharmacist)
药房 yàofáng chemist (shop)
药品 yàopǐn drug (medication)
茶馆 cháguǎn teahouse
南 nán south

要紧 yàojǐn urgent
树荫 shùyīn shade
迷路 mílù lost (one’s way)
厘米 límǐ centimetre
残疾 cánjí disabled
面包 miànbāo bread
面馆 miànguǎn noodle house
面条 miàntiáo noodles
止泻药 zhǐxiè yào laxative
轻 qīng light (not heavy)
背 bèi back (body)
背包 bèibāo backpack
背面 bèimiàn behind
尝试 chángshì try
新加坡 Xīnjiāpō Singapore
星期 xīngqī week
星期一 xīngqī yī Monday
星期二 xīngqī èr Tuesday
星期三 xīngqī sān Wednesday
星期四 xīngqī sì Thursday
星期五 xīngqī wǔ Friday
星期六 xīngqī liù Saturday
星期天 xīngqī tiān Sunday
哪里 nǎli where
哪个 nǎge which
是 shì yes
昨天 zuótiān yesterday
贵 guì expensive
罚款 fákuǎn fine (penalty)
贵重 guìzhòng valuable
钥匙 yàoshi key
钢笔 gāngbǐ pen (ballpoint)
重 zhòng heavy
重要 zhòngyào important
香烟 xiāngyān cigarette
香港 Xiānggǎng Hong Kong

秋天 qiūtiān autumn • fall
科学 kēxué science
科学家 kēxué jiā scientist
复活节 fùhuójié Easter
饺子 jiǎozi dumpling (boiled)
便秘 biànmì constipation
保险 bǎoxiǎn insurance
修理 xiūlǐ repair
信 xìn letter (mail)
信用 xìnyòng credit
信用卡 xìnyòng kǎ credit card
信息 xìnxī message
信息 xìnxī information
信息技术 xìnxī jìshù IT
信箱 xìnxiāng mailbox
徒步旅行 túbù lǚxíng hiking
很硬 hěn yìng hard (not soft)
律师 lǜshī lawyer
很疼 hěnténg painful
食品 shípǐn grocery
受伤 shòushāng injured
独自一个人 dú zì yīge rén alone
急救车 jíjiù chē ambulance
急急忙忙 jíji mángmang busy (at a certain time)
急救装备 jíjiù zhuàngbèifirst-aid kit
临时保姆 línshí bǎomǔ babysitter
亭子 tíngzi pavillion
疮口 chuāngkǒu cut (wound)
度假 dùjià vacation
音乐会 yīnyuè huì concert
音乐 yīnyuè music
音像店 yīnxiàng diàn music shop
皇帝 huángdì emperor
皇后 huánghòu empress
美丽 měilì beautiful
姜 jiāng ginger

美国 Měiguó USA
首饰 shǒushì jewellery
前一个 qián yīgè last (previous)
前天 qiántiān day before yesterday
宫殿 gōngdiàn palace
客户 kèhù client
洪水 hóngshuǐ flood
洋(货) yáng (huò) foreign (goods)
洗 xǐ wash (something)
洗衣店 xǐyī diàn launderette
洗衣服 xǐyīfu laundry (clothes)
洗衣机 xǐyī jī washing machine
测光表 cèguāng biǎo light meter
派出所 pàichū suǒ police station
剃刀 tìdāo razor
剃刀片 tìdāo piàn razor blade
语言 yǔyán language
祖先 zǔxiān ancestors
说明书 shuōmíng shū brochure
退休职工 tuìxiū zhígōng pensioner
退钱 tuìqián refund
孩子们 háizimen children
除夕 chúxī New Year’s Eve
十画 10 strokes
换 huàn change • exchange
换钱 huànqián change (money)
热 rè hot
热气 rèqì heat
热水瓶 rèshuǐpíng thermos
热水袋 rèshuǐ dài hot water bottle
哥哥 gēge brother (elder)
恭喜 gōngxǐ congratulations
荷兰 Hélán Netherlands

桥 qiáo bridge
粉色 fěnsè pink
夏天 xiàtiān summer
党员 dǎngyuán communist (party member)
轿车 jiàochē car
晒伤 shàishāng sunburn
晕车 yùnchē travel sickness
晚上 wǎnshàng evening • night
晚上活动 wǎnshàng huódòng night out
晚饭 wǎnfàn dinner
胳膊 gēbo arm
胶卷 jiāojuǎn film (for camera)
胸 xiōng chest (body)
脆弱 cuìruò fragile
脏 zāng dirty
钱 qián money
钱包 qiánbāo purse
铅笔 qiānbǐ pencil
乘客 chéngkè passenger
租赁 zūlìn rent
透镜 tòujìng lens
预定 yùdìng reservation (booking)
饿 è hungry (to be)
笔记本 bǐjì běn notebook
健美中心 jiànměi zhōngxīn gym (place)
烟丝 yānsī tobacco
烤面包 kǎo miànbāo toast
烧伤 shāoshāng burn
烧焦 shāojiāo burnt
爱 ài love
爱尔兰 Ài’ěrlán Ireland
爱情 àiqíng love
逛酒吧 guàng jiǔbā party (night out)
酱油 jiàngyóu soy sauce
离开 líkāi depart (leave)
离婚 líhūn divorced

高 gāo high
高尔夫场 gāo’ěrfū chǎng golf course
高速公路 gāosù gōnglù highway
准时 zhǔnshí on time
座位 zuòwèi seat (place)
病 bìng sick
疼 téng pain
旁边 pángbian beside
站台 zhàntái platform
站台票 zhàntái piào stand-by ticket
资本主义 zīběn zhǔyì capitalism
旅行支票 lǚxíng zhīpiào travellers cheque
旅行店 lǚxíng diàn tourist office
旅行社 lǚxíng shè travel agency
旅行箱 lǚxíngxiāng suitcase
旅店 lǚdiàn tourist hotel
旅栈 lǚzhàn youth hostel
旅程 lǚchéng journey
航空信 hángkōng xìn airmail
航空公司 hángkōng gōngsī airline
航班 hángbān flight
家 jiā home
家具 jiājù furniture
家庭 jiātíng family
宾馆 bīnguǎn guesthouse
酒吧 jiǔbā bar
酒店 jiǔdiàn hotel
酒 jiǔ drink (alcoholic)
酒精 jiǔjīng alcohol
消毒剂 xiāodújì antiseptic
消费 xiāofèi tip (gratuity)
海 hǎi sea
海外 hǎiwài overseas
海关 hǎiguān custom (immigration)
(海运)平信 (hǎiyùn) píngxìn surface mail (sea)
浴室 yùshì bathroom • shower

浴缸 yùgāng bath
润滑油 rùnhuá yóu lubricant
(电)流 (diàn) liú current (electricity)
递送 dìsòng deliver
浪漫 làngmàn romantic
瓶子 píngzi bottle
逛街 guàngjiē go shopping
谁 shéi who
袜子 wàzi sock(s)
剧 jù play (theatre)
剧场 jùchǎng theatre
展览 zhǎnlǎn exhibition
陶瓷 táocí ceramics
娱乐指南 yúlè zhǐnán entertainment guide
预备食品 yùbèi shípǐn food supplies
十一画 11 strokes
理发 lǐfà haircut
理发屋 lǐfà wū hairdresser
推荐 tuījiàn recommend
博物馆 bówù guǎn museum
搭便车 dā biànchē hitchhike
票 piào ticket
票房 piàofáng ticket office
黄色 huángsè yellow
黄金 huángjīn gold
剪刀 jiǎndāo scissors
剪指刀 jiǎnzhǐ dāo nail clippers
菊花 júhuā chrysanthemum
菜单 càidān menu
营业时间 yíngyè shíjiān opening hours
非典 fēidiǎn SARS
雪 xuě snow
救人! Jiùrén! Stop!

厨子 chúzi cook
厨房 chúfáng kitchen
奢侈 shēchǐ luxury
插头 chātóu plug (electricity)
帽子 màozi hat
喝 hē drink
啤酒 píjiǔ beer
啤酒摊 píjiǔ tān liquor store
眼睛 yǎnjīng eye(s)
眼镜 yǎnjìng glasses (spectacles)
累 lèi tired
脖子 bózi throat
脚 jiǎo foot
脚踝 jiǎohuái ankle
脸 liǎn face
野餐 yěcān picnic
银子 yínzi silver
银行 yínháng bank (money)
银行账户 yínháng zhànghù bank account
甜 tián sweet
剩余额 shèngyú é balance (account)
停(车) tíngchē park (a car)
您 nín you (pol)
假期 jiàqī holidays
领事馆 lǐngshìguǎn consulate
象棋 xiàngqí chess (Chinese)
猪肉 zhūròu pork
猫 māo modem
毫米 háomǐ millimetre
深色 shēnsè dark (of colour)
痒 yǎng itch
麻将 májiàng Mahjong
商人 shāngrén businessman • businesswoman
商场 shāngchǎng shopping centre
盗窃的 dàoqiède stolen
船 chuán boat

奥运会 Àoyùn huì Olympic Games
盘 pán dish (food item)
盘子 pánzi plate
寄存处 jīcúnqù cloakroom • left luggage office
寄特快 jì tèkuài express mail (by)
清洁 qīngjié cleaning
清真 qīngzhēn halal
清真寺 qīngzhēn sì mosque
隐形眼镜 yǐnxíng yǎnjìng contact lenses
绷带 bēngdài bandage
绿色 lǜsè green
骑马 qímǎ horse riding
骑自行车 qí zìxíngchē cycle
十二画 12 strokes
裁缝 cáifeng tailor
超市 chāoshì supermarket
越南 Yuènán Vietnam
朝鲜 Cháoxiǎn Korea (North)
葡萄酒 pútáo jiǔ wine
韩国 Hánguó Korea (South)
棉条 miántiáo tampon
森林 sēnlín forest
硬币 yìngbì coins
硬卧 yìngwò hard sleeper
硬座 yìngzuò hard seat
确认 quèrèn validate
确定 quèdìng confirm (a booking)
紫色 zǐsè purple
最大 zuìdà biggest
最小 zuìxiǎo smallest
最后的 zuìhòude last (final)
最好的 zuìhǎode best
最近 zuìjìn nearest

最高车速 zuìgāo chēsù speed limit
晾干 liànggān dry (clothes)
遗失物 yíshī wù lost property
黑白(片) hēibái (piàn) B&W (film)
黑色 hēisè black
黑暗 hēi’àn dark
锁 suǒ padlock
锁上 suǒshàng lock
锁上了 suǒshàng le locked (door)
锅 guō wok
锅贴 guōtiē dumpling (fried)
等 děng wait (for)
等候室 děnghòu shì waiting room
街头 jiētóu street
街市 jiēshì street market
舒服 shūfu comfortable
短 duǎn short (length)
短裤 duǎnkù shorts
窗 chuāng window
短语集 duǎnyǔ jí phrasebook
湖 hú lake
温度 wēndù temperature (weather)
渴 kě thirsty (to be)
滑雪 huáxuě skiing
渡船 dùchuán ferry
游泳 yóuyǒng swim
游泳池 yóuyǒng chí swimming pool
游泳衣 yóuyǒng yī swimsuit
普通话 pǔtōnghuà Mandarin
道教 Dàojiào Taoism
道路 dàolù road
裙子 qúnzi skirt
谢谢 xièxie thank you
登 dēng board (a plane, ship etc)
登记台 dēngjì tái check-in (desk)
登机牌 dēngjī pái boarding pass

十三画 13 strokes
摄影 shèyǐng photography
摄影家 shèyǐng jiā photographer
摇滚 yáogǔn rock (music)
蒙古 Ménggǔ Mongolia
蓝色 lánsè blue
零钱 língqián change (coins)
楼 lóu building
楼房 lóufáng apartment (downmarket)
感光度 gǎnguāngdù film speed
感冒 gǎnmào influenza
感冒药 gǎnmào yào cough medicine
感染 gǎnrǎn infection
感谢 gǎnxiè grateful
碗 wǎn bowl
暖气管 nuǎnqì guǎn heater
照片 zhàopiàn (or zhàopiānr) photo
暖和 nuǎnhuo warm
照相 zhàoxiàng take a photo
照相机 zhàoxiàng jī camera
睡觉 shuìjiào sleep
睡袋 shuìdài sleeping bag
腿 tuǐ leg
跳舞 tiàowǔ dance
矮 ǎi short (height)
筷子 kuàizi chopsticks
签证 qiānzhèng visa
车锁 chēsuǒ lock
微波炉 wēibō lú microwave (oven)
解放军 jiěfàng jūn People’s Liberation Army (PLA)
煤气 méiqì gas (for cooking)
遥控 yáokòng remote control
新 xīn new
新西兰 Xīnxīlán New Zealand

新闻 xīnwén news
新鲜 xīnxiān fresh
塑像 sùxiàng sculpture
塞子 sāizi plug (bath)
满 mǎn full
十四画 14 strokes
碟子 díézi disk (CD-ROM)
磁带 cídài tape (recording)
棒 bàng great (fantastic)
慢慢地 mànmande slowly
墨镜 mòjìng sunglasses
舞蹈 wǔdǎo dancing
辣椒 làjiāo chilli
辣椒酱 làjiāo jiàng chilli sauce
鼻子 bízi nose
演出 yǎnchū performance
演员 yǎnyuán actor
蜜月 mìyuè honeymoon
熊猫 xióngmāo panda
十五画 15 strokes
蔬菜 shūcài vegetable
醉 zuì drunk
鞋 xié shoe
鞋店 xiédiàn shoe shop
膝盖 xīgài knee
镊子 nièzi tweezers
镑 bàng pound (money, weight)
箱子 xiāngzi box
德国 Déguó Germany
摩托车 mótuō chē motorcycle
颜色 yánsè colour

澳大利亚 Àodàlìyà Australia
十六至二十三画 16 to 23 strokes
橙色 chéngsè orange (colour)
糖尿病 tángniàobìng diabetes
赠(票) zèng (piào) complimentary (tickets)
穆斯林 Mùsīlín Muslim
避孕套 bìyùntào condom
餐巾 cānjīn napkin
餐车 cānchē dining car
翻译 fānyì interpreter • translator
警察 jǐngchá police • police officer (in city)
罐头 guàntou can • tin

What kind of traveller are you?
A. You’re eating chicken for dinner again because it’s the only word you
know.
B. When no one understands what you say, you step closer and shout
louder.

C. When the barman doesn’t understand your order, you point frantically at
the beer.
D. You’re surrounded by locals, swapping jokes, email addresses and
experiences
– other travellers want to borrow your phrasebook or audio guide.
If you answered A, B, or C, you NEED Lonely Planet’s language

products ...
Lonely Planet Phrasebooks – for every phrase you need in every
language you want
Lonely Planet Language & Culture – get behind the scenes of English
as it’s spoken around the world – learn and laugh
Lonely Planet Fast Talk & Fast Talk Audio – essential phrases for
short trips and weekends away – read, listen and talk like a local
Lonely Planet Small Talk – 10 essential languages for city breaks
... and this is why

Talk to everyone everywhere Over 120 languages, more than any other
publisher
The right words at the right time Quick-reference colour sections, two-
way dictionary, easy pronunciation, every possible subject – and audio to
support it
Lonely Planet Offices

AUSTRALIA
The Malt Store, Level 3, 551 Swanston St, Carlton,
Victoria 3053
03 8379 8000
fax 03 8379 8111
IRELAND
Digital Depot, Roe Lane (off Thomas St), Digital Hub,
Dublin 8, D08 TCV4

USA
124 Linden St, Oakland,
CA 94607
510 250 6400, toll free 800 275 8555,
fax 510 893 8572
UK
240 Blackfriars Rd,
London SE1 8NW
020 3771 5100
fax 020 3771 5101
lonelyplanet.com


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Text © Lonely Planet 2018

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in

Lonely Planet does not allow its name or logo to be appropriated by

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Lonely Planet’s Language Products team consists of: Tali Budlender

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finding things in this book

using the audio

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the pinyin system

the pinyin system

Pinyin was officially adopted by the Chinese in 1958 as a way of writing

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pinyin english equivalent mandarin example

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pinyin english equivalent mandarin example

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Many words in Mandarin appear to have the same basic pronunciation.

tone example meaning

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The most important thing to keep in mind with Mandarin pronunciation is

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a/an & the

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a/an & the

adjectives see describing things

articles see a/an & the

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A negative command is formed by putting ‘not want’ bùyào 不要

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pointing things out

that one 那个 nàge

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1st person (sg) my 我的 wǒde

For other personal pronouns, see pronouns.

prepositions see time and location

1st person (sg) I/me 我 wǒ

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I eat a meal. 我吃饭。 Wǒ chī fàn.

Not only do Mandarin verbs not change according to who or what is

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You’re likely to hear the word duì 对 as an equivalent to ‘yes’ as well. It