Top 50 phrases to get by China: Getting around and shopping
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Key Phrases
地铁在哪儿？
dì tiě zài nǎ ér
Where is the subway?
这个多少钱？
zhè gè duō shǎo qián
How much is this?
可以手机支付吗？
kě yǐ shǒu jī zhī fù ma
Can I pay by phone?
Skills You'll Learn
Ask for directions and navigate public transportation
询问路线并使用公共交通
xún wèn lù xiàn bìng shǐ yòng gōng gòng jiāo tōng
Shop for items and ask about prices
购物并询问价格
gòu wù bìng xún wèn jià gé
Use common payment methods and request assistance
使用常见支付方式并寻求帮助
shǐ yòng cháng jiàn zhī fù fāng shì bìng xún qiú bāng zhù
Lesson Vocabulary & Phrases
地铁在哪儿？
dì tiě zài nǎ ér
Where is the subway?
公交车站在哪儿？
gōng jiāo chē zhàn zài nǎ ér
Where is the bus stop?
怎么去？
zěn me qù
How do I get there?
💬 [怎么] is a handy "how" word for methods: [怎么去？] means "how do I get there?" and you can swap the verb, like [怎么走？] for "how do I go/walk there?".
See breakdown →我要去这里。
wǒ yào qù zhè lǐ
I want to go here.
💬 [要] here means "want to" or "am going to," not just "need." You can reuse the pattern [我要去 + place]: [我要去机场] means "I want to go to the airport."
See breakdown →请带我去这里。
qǐng dài wǒ qù zhè lǐ
Please take me here.
💬 [带] means "take/bring someone," so [请带我去这里] is literally "please take me to here." The same pattern works with other destinations, like [请带我去酒店] for "please take me to the hotel."
See breakdown →多少钱？
duō shǎo qián
How much is the fare?
可以刷卡吗？
kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma
Can I pay by card?
💬 [刷卡] is the set phrase for paying by bank card, literally "swipe card." You can reuse [可以 ... 吗？] to ask if something is possible: [可以拍照吗？] means "can I take photos?".
See breakdown →可以手机支付吗？
kě yǐ shǒu jī zhī fù ma
Can I pay by phone?
🇨🇳 In China, phone payment is extremely common, often more common than bank cards in small shops, taxis, and street stalls. If card payment fails, asking about [手机支付] is often the more practical next question.
See breakdown →请在这里停车。
qǐng zài zhè lǐ tíng chē
Please stop here.
💬 [在这里] means "here," but literally "at this place," and it usually comes before the verb: [请在这里停车] = "please stop here." You can reuse that order in [请在这里等我] — "please wait for me here."
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