Top 50 phrases to get by China: Getting around and shopping
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Key Phrases
洗手间在哪里？
xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ
Where is the bathroom?
我想去...
wǒ xiǎng qù
I want to go to...
可以刷卡吗？
kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma
Can I use a card?
Skills You'll Learn
Asking for directions
询问方向
xún wèn fāng xiàng
Expressing destination preferences
表达去向
biǎo dá qù xiàng
Inquiring about payment methods
询问支付方式
xún wèn zhī fù fāng shì
Lesson Vocabulary & Phrases
这是哪里？
zhè shì nǎ lǐ
Where is this?
💬 [这] (juh) means 'this', and [哪] (nah) is 'where'.
🇨🇳 Asking for directions is common because new areas can be confusing even for locals.
See breakdown →洗手间在哪里？
xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ
Where is the bathroom?
💬 [洗手间] (shee show jian) literally means 'wash hands room'.
🇨🇳 Public restrooms are not always available, so knowing this phrase helps in emergencies.
See breakdown →地铁站在哪里？
dì tiě zhàn zài nǎ lǐ
Where is the subway station?
💬 [地铁] (dee tee-eh) means subway, and [站] (zhan) means station.
🇨🇳 China's subway systems are efficient and expansive, a great way to travel in big cities.
See breakdown →出租车
chū zū chē
Taxi
💬 The word [出租] (choo-zoo) means 'to rent', and [车] (chuh) means 'car'.
🇨🇳 Taxis are common and metered, but be sure to have cash or mobile payment ready.
See breakdown →左
zuǒ
Left
💬 [左] (zwor) is one of the basic direction words you must know.
🇨🇳 Unlike in some countries, drivers in mainland China drive on the right side of the road.
See breakdown →右
yòu
Right
💬 [右] (yo) sounds similar to English 'yo', making it easy to remember.
🇨🇳 Driving on the right means most right turns are easier to make in traffic.
See breakdown →直走
zhí zǒu
Straight ahead
💬 [直] (jur) means 'straight', and [走] (zow) means 'to walk' or 'to go'.
🇨🇳 Asking for directions often involves needing to know a sequence of directions like left, right, and straight ahead.
See breakdown →我想去...
wǒ xiǎng qù
I want to go to...
💬 [我想] (wo shee-ang) means 'I want', and [去] (chew) means 'go'.
🇨🇳 Prefacing your destination with [我想去] makes you sound polite and clear in your request.
See breakdown →这个地址
zhè gè dì zhǐ
This address
💬 [这个] (juh guh) means 'this', while [地址] (dee-ji) means 'address'.
🇨🇳 Given the size of some cities, having the written address is crucial for getting correct directions.
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