📖 Essential Phrases for Tourists
Must know›
| Chinese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 你好 | Hello | Any greeting |
| 谢谢 | Thank you | After receiving help |
| 多少钱？ | How much? | Shopping, markets |
| 在哪里？ | Where is it? | Getting directions |
| 厕所在哪？ | Where's the toilet? | Always useful |
| 我不吃辣 | I don't eat spicy food | Restaurants in Sichuan! |
| 帮我叫出租车 | Please call me a taxi | Ask hotel staff |
| 我迷路了 | I'm lost | Emergency navigation |
| 我需要帮助 | I need help | Any emergency |
| 请叫救护车 | Please call an ambulance | Medical emergency |
📷 Translation Apps That Actually Work
Install before arrival›
Google Translate
Download Chinese offline pack before arrival. Camera translation works without internet.
Free · VPN neededBaidu Translate
Works without VPN inside China. Camera mode excellent for menus and signs.
Free · No VPNPleco
The gold standard dictionary app. Great for understanding individual characters.
Free (premium options)Pro tip: Point your camera at a restaurant menu — Baidu Translate will overlay English translations in real time. This alone is worth downloading.
💬 Real situations, line by line
Scripts›
Ordering at a restaurant
🧑🍳
几位？Jǐ wèi? — How many people?
🧳
两位，谢谢Liǎng wèi, xièxie — Two, thanks
🧳
这个，还有这个Zhège, hái yǒu zhège — This one, and this one (point at the menu)
Telling a taxi where to go
🧳
请去这个地址Qǐng qù zhège dìzhǐ — Please go to this address (show your phone)
🧳
到了叫我，谢谢Dào le jiào wǒ — Tell me when we arrive
The universal move: type or translate your destination, then show the screen. Pointing plus a smile solves 90% of language gaps.
🔢 Counting on one hand
Handy›
Vendors often show prices with one-handed finger gestures. 1–5 are intuitive; 6–10 have their own signs. When unsure, ask them to type the number on a calculator or phone — every shop expects this.