Important Phrases for Basic Conversation

When you start out learning Chinese, it can be daunting to even say the smallest of phrases. From getting the tones wrong to learning vocabulary, the challenges are never-ending. The best way to learn a language though is to practice, no matter how silly you may think you sound or how many times you pronounce words wrong.

Here are some basic phrases that can help you start a conversation with someone in Chinese:

Greetings

Hello!
你好/您好!
Nǐ hǎo/nín hǎo!

Note: “你 nǐ” is informal, while “您 nín” is formal. If you are addressing someone older or higher in rank than you, it is safest to go with “您 nín”.

The literal translation of “你好 nǐ hǎo” is “you good”. When asking “How are you?” in Chinese, you literally say “you good?”

How are you?
你好吗?
Nǐ hǎo ma?

To respond to the question, you simply say “good” or “bad”.

I’m great/good/bad.
很好/好/不好
Hěn hǎo/hǎo/bù hǎo.

Hello (phone only)
喂
Wèi

Good Morning
早上好
Zǎoshang hǎo

Good Afternoon
下午好
Xiàwǔ hǎo

Good Evening
晚上好
Wǎnshàng hǎo

Introducing Yourself

What’s your name?
你叫什么名字?
Nǐ jiào shénme míngzì?

My name is…
我叫... Wǒ jiào..

Where are you from?
你是从哪里来的?
Nǐ shì cóng nǎlǐ lái de?

I’m from…
我是从....来的.
Wǒ shì cóng.... Lái de.

Do you speak English?
你会说英文吗?
Nǐ huì shuō yīngwén ma?

Do you speak Chinese?
你会说中文吗?
Nǐ huì shuō zhōngwén ma?

Sorry!
对不起!
Duìbùqǐ!

Thank You!
谢谢!
Xièxiè!

Saying Goodbye

Goodbye
再见/拜拜
Zàijiàn/bàibài

“拜拜 bàibài” is just one of many examples of where some modern Chinese language has taken after English.

Goodnight
晚安
Wǎn'ān

Have a good journey!
一路平安!
Yīlù píng'ān!

“一路平安! Yīlù píng'ān!” literally translates to “Peace on the road!”

No matter if you are travelling or just want to learn another language, these basic yet important phrases can help you get started in feeling confident in striking up a conversation in Chinese.