What you'll say, and what you'll hear back

You come through arrivals and need to get online before anything else.

Shanghai ear: many people say s, c and z where Beijing says sh, ch and zh, so 是 (shì) can sound like "sì" and 十 (shí) like "sí". Shanghai speech also drops the Beijing "r" ending: people say 这里 and 哪里, not 这儿 and 哪儿.

1. You say
   你好！ nǐ hǎo Hello!
   Word 1: 你好 · hello
2. You say
   我想买一张电话卡。 wǒ xiǎng mǎi yì zhāng diànhuà kǎ I'd like to buy a SIM card.
   Word 2: 想 · would like to
3. You hear
   护照给我看一下。 hùzhào gěi wǒ kàn yíxià Let me see your passport.
   Word 3: 护照 · passport

   SIM cards are registered to your passport. Have it in your hand.

4. You hear
   要多少流量？ yào duōshao liúliàng How much data do you want?
   Word 4: 流量 · mobile data
5. You say
   一个星期的。 yí ge xīngqī de Enough for a week.
   Word 5: 星期 · week
6. You hear
   一百块。 yìbǎi kuài A hundred yuan.
   Word 6: 块 · yuan (spoken)

   Prices are written 元 (yuán) but everyone says kuài.

7. You say
   可以刷卡吗？ kěyǐ shuā kǎ ma Can I pay by card?
   Word 7: 可以 · can, may
8. You hear
   扫码就行。 sǎo mǎ jiù xíng Just scan the code.
   Word 8: 扫码 · scan the QR code

   Most places expect Alipay or WeChat Pay. Visitors can link a foreign bank card to either app before they fly.

You booked a car on DiDi, China's ride app. The driver pulls up and checks it is you.

1. You hear
   你手机尾号多少？ nǐ shǒujī wěihào duōshao What are the last four digits of your phone number?
   Word 9: 尾号 · last digits (of a phone number)

   This is how drivers confirm the booking. Practise saying your last four digits in Chinese.

2. You hear
   去哪里？ qù nǎlǐ Where to?
   Word 10: 去 · go to
3. You say
   去这个酒店。 qù zhège jiǔdiàn To this hotel. (show your screen)
   Word 11: 酒店 · hotel
4. You say
   一直走。 yìzhí zǒu Go straight on.
   Word 12: 一直 · straight on
5. You say
   左转。 zuǒ zhuǎn Turn left.
   Word 13: 左 · left
6. You say
   右转。 yòu zhuǎn Turn right.
   Word 14: 右 · right
7. You say
   在这里停。 zài zhèlǐ tíng Stop here.
   Word 15: 停 · stop
8. You hear
   到了。 dào le We're here.
   Word 16: 到 · arrive

A hotel off Nanjing Road. Reception wants your name, your passport and a deposit.

1. You say
   我有预订。 wǒ yǒu yùdìng I have a booking.
   Word 17: 预订 · booking
2. You hear
   您叫什么名字？ nín jiào shénme míngzi What's your name?
   Word 18: 名字 · name
3. You say
   我叫Mark。 wǒ jiào Mark My name is Mark.
   Word 19: 叫 · to be called
4. You hear
   押金五百。 yājīn wǔbǎi The deposit is five hundred.
   Word 20: 押金 · deposit

   Hotels hold a deposit and refund it when you check out.

5. You hear
   这是您的房卡。 zhè shì nín de fángkǎ Here is your key card.
   Word 21: 房卡 · key card
6. You hear
   早餐在二楼。 zǎocān zài èr lóu Breakfast is on the second floor.
   Word 22: 楼 · floor
7. You say
   WiFi密码是多少？ WiFi mìmǎ shì duōshao What's the wifi password?
   Word 23: 密码 · password
8. You say
   空调坏了。 kōngtiáo huài le The air-con is broken.
   Word 24: 坏 · broken
9. You say
   几点退房？ jǐ diǎn tuìfáng What time is checkout?
   Word 25: 退房 · check out

A late snack from the convenience store. You pay, and then the questions start.

Shanghai ear: older staff may greet each other in Shanghainese. 侬好 (sounds like "nong haw") is hello and 谢谢侬 (sounds like "zya-zya nong") is thank you. Answer in Mandarin and they will switch.

1. You say
   有水吗？ yǒu shuǐ ma Do you have water?
   Word 26: 水 · water
2. You say
   这个多少钱？ zhège duōshao qián How much is this?
   Word 27: 多少钱 · how much
3. You hear
   要加热吗？ yào jiārè ma Shall I heat it up?
   Word 28: 加热 · heat up

   They microwave buns, dumplings and rice boxes for you at the till.

4. You hear
   要袋子吗？ yào dàizi ma Do you want a bag?
   Word 29: 袋子 · bag

   Bags cost a few jiao, so they always ask.

5. You say
   不用，谢谢。 bú yòng, xièxie No need, thanks.
   Word 30: 不用 · no need
6. You hear
   有会员吗？ yǒu huìyuán ma Are you a member?
   Word 31: 会员 · member
7. You say
   没有。 méiyǒu No, I'm not.
   Word 32: 没有 · don't have, no

   The quickest answer to any "do you have ...?" question.

8. You hear
   微信还是支付宝？ Wēixìn háishi Zhīfùbǎo WeChat or Alipay?
   Word 33: 还是 · or (in a question)
9. You say
   谢谢！ xièxie Thanks!
   Word 34: 谢谢 · thank you

There is a milk tea shop on every corner, and they all ask the same three questions.

1. You hear
   你好，喝点什么？ nǐ hǎo, hē diǎn shénme Hi, what would you like to drink?
   Word 35: 喝 · drink
2. You say
   我要一杯奶茶。 wǒ yào yì bēi nǎichá I'll have a milk tea.
   Word 36: 我要 · I'll have

   Wǒ yào plus anything is how you order. No "please" needed.

3. You hear
   大杯还是中杯？ dà bēi háishi zhōng bēi Large or medium?
   Word 37: 杯 · cup
4. You hear
   甜度呢？ tiándù ne How sweet?
   Word 38: 甜 · sweet
5. You say
   少糖。 shǎo táng Less sugar.
   Word 39: 少 · less
6. You say
   去冰。 qù bīng No ice.
   Word 40: 冰 · ice
7. You hear
   在这里喝还是带走？ zài zhèlǐ hē háishi dàizǒu Drink here or take away?
   Word 41: 带走 · take away

Lunch at a small noodle shop with plastic stools and a menu on the wall.

1. You hear
   吃什么？ chī shénme What are you eating?
   Word 42: 吃 · eat
2. You say
   一碗牛肉面。 yì wǎn niúròu miàn A bowl of beef noodles.
   Word 43: 碗 · bowl
3. You hear
   要辣吗？ yào là ma Do you want it spicy?
   Word 44: 辣 · spicy
4. You say
   微辣。 wēi là Just a little spicy.
   Word 45: 微 · slightly

   In Sichuan and Hunan, "a little" is still very spicy.

5. You say
   不要香菜。 bú yào xiāngcài No coriander.
   Word 46: 香菜 · coriander
6. You say
   我吃素。 wǒ chī sù I'm vegetarian.
   Word 47: 素 · vegetarian
7. You say
   这个是什么？ zhège shì shénme What is this?
   Word 48: 什么 · what
8. You say
   好吃！ hǎochī Delicious!
   Word 49: 好吃 · delicious
9. You say
   打包。 dǎbāo Can I take the rest away?
   Word 50: 打包 · pack to go

A busy hotpot restaurant. You order by scanning a code on the table.

1. You hear
   几位？ jǐ wèi How many of you?
   Word 51: 几 · how many
2. You say
   四个人。 sì ge rén Four people.
   Word 52: 人 · person, people
3. You hear
   扫码点菜。 sǎo mǎ diǎn cài Scan the code to order.
   Word 53: 点菜 · order food
4. You say
   服务员！ fúwùyuán Excuse me! (calling the server)
   Word 54: 服务员 · server, waiter

   Say it with a hand raised. In small places people call the owner lǎobǎn (老板).

5. You say
   我对花生过敏。 wǒ duì huāshēng guòmǐn I'm allergic to peanuts.
   Word 55: 过敏 · allergic

   For a serious allergy, carry a written card checked by a native speaker.

6. You say
   再来两瓶啤酒。 zài lái liǎng píng píjiǔ Two more bottles of beer.
   Word 56: 啤酒 · beer
7. You say
   干杯！ gānbēi Cheers!
   Word 57: 干杯 · cheers

   It means "dry glass". Expect to finish yours.

8. You say
   买单！ mǎidān The bill, please!
   Word 58: 买单 · the bill

A clothes and gadget market. Nothing has a price tag and the first number is high.

Shanghai ear: sellers often count in Shanghainese among themselves. Ask them to say the price in Mandarin, or to type it on a calculator or phone.

1. You hear
   看看吧！ kànkan ba Have a look!
   Word 59: 看 · look
2. You say
   我只是看看。 wǒ zhǐshì kànkan I'm just looking.
   Word 60: 只是 · just, only
3. You say
   有大一点的吗？ yǒu dà yìdiǎn de ma Do you have a bigger one?
   Word 61: 大 · big
4. You say
   能试一下吗？ néng shì yíxià ma Can I try it on?
   Word 62: 试 · try
5. You hear
   三百。 sānbǎi Three hundred.
   Word 63: 百 · hundred
6. You say
   太贵了！ tài guì le Too expensive!
   Word 64: 贵 · expensive
7. You say
   便宜一点吧。 piányi yìdiǎn ba Make it a bit cheaper.
   Word 65: 便宜 · cheap

   Smile, start low and be ready to walk away. They often call you back.

8. You say
   一百五，行吗？ yìbǎi wǔ, xíng ma A hundred and fifty, OK?
   Word 66: 行 · OK, will do
9. You hear
   好吧，给你。 hǎo ba, gěi nǐ Fine, here you go.
   Word 67: 给 · give

Shanghai's metro is fast and cheap. You go through security, then scan your phone at the gate.

1. You say
   地铁站在哪里？ dìtiě zhàn zài nǎlǐ Where is the metro station?
   Word 68: 地铁 · metro
2. You hear
   请安检。 qǐng ānjiǎn Security check, please.
   Word 69: 安检 · security check

   Every station has a bag scanner, like a small airport.

3. You say
   去外滩坐几号线？ qù Wàitān zuò jǐ hào xiàn Which line goes to the Bund?
   Word 70: 线 · line
4. You hear
   二号线，南京东路下。 èr hào xiàn, Nánjīng Dōng Lù xià Line 2, get off at East Nanjing Road.
   Word 71: 下 · get off
5. You say
   在哪里换乘？ zài nǎlǐ huànchéng Where do I change lines?
   Word 72: 换乘 · change (lines)
6. You say
   借过一下。 jiè guò yíxià Excuse me, coming through.
   Word 73: 借过 · let me through
7. You hear
   出口在那边。 chūkǒu zài nàbiān The exit is over there.
   Word 74: 出口 · exit

Tickets, opening times and somebody to take your photo.

1. You say
   两张票。 liǎng zhāng piào Two tickets.
   Word 75: 票 · ticket

   Use liǎng, not èr, when counting things.

2. You hear
   要网上预约。 yào wǎngshàng yùyuē You have to book online.
   Word 76: 预约 · book ahead

   Popular sights, such as the Forbidden City in Beijing, have to be booked online in advance with your passport number.

3. You say
   几点关门？ jǐ diǎn guānmén What time does it close?
   Word 77: 关门 · close
4. You say
   去这里要多久？ qù zhèlǐ yào duōjiǔ How long does it take to get here?
   Word 78: 多久 · how long
5. You hear
   走路十分钟。 zǒulù shí fēnzhōng Ten minutes on foot.
   Word 79: 分钟 · minutes
6. You say
   能帮我拍照吗？ néng bāng wǒ pāizhào ma Could you take a photo of me?
   Word 80: 拍照 · take a photo
7. You say
   太漂亮了！ tài piàoliang le It's beautiful!
   Word 81: 漂亮 · beautiful

Shanghai to Beijing in under five hours on the fastest trains. Stations are as big as airports.

Beijing ear: Beijingers add an "r" sound to many words, so 这里 becomes 这儿 (zhèr), 哪里 becomes 哪儿 (nǎr) and 一点 becomes 一点儿 (yìdiǎnr). It is the same word, just the northern accent.

1. You say
   我要买去北京的高铁票。 wǒ yào mǎi qù Běijīng de gāotiě piào I'd like a high-speed train ticket to Beijing.
   Word 82: 高铁 · high-speed train
2. You hear
   哪天走？ nǎ tiān zǒu Which day are you going?
   Word 83: 哪天 · which day
3. You say
   明天上午。 míngtiān shàngwǔ Tomorrow morning.
   Word 84: 明天 · tomorrow
4. You hear
   一等座还是二等座？ yī děng zuò háishi èr děng zuò First class or second class?
   Word 85: 二等座 · second class seat

   Second class is comfortable and the one most people book.

5. You hear
   车晚点了。 chē wǎndiǎn le The train is delayed.
   Word 86: 晚点 · delayed
6. You say
   厕所在哪里？ cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ Where is the toilet?
   Word 87: 厕所 · toilet

   Carry tissues. Many public toilets do not supply paper.

7. You say
   这是我的座位。 zhè shì wǒ de zuòwèi This is my seat.
   Word 88: 座位 · seat

Finding a pharmacy when you feel ill, and the words you hope you will never need.

1. You say
   不好意思，药店在哪里？ bù hǎo yìsi, yàodiàn zài nǎlǐ Excuse me, where is a pharmacy?
   Word 89: 不好意思 · excuse me, sorry

   The everyday "excuse me". It also works as a light "sorry".

2. You say
   我肚子疼。 wǒ dùzi téng I have a stomach ache.
   Word 90: 疼 · hurt, ache
3. You say
   我发烧了。 wǒ fāshāo le I have a fever.
   Word 91: 发烧 · fever
4. You hear
   一天三次。 yì tiān sān cì Three times a day.
   Word 92: 次 · times
5. You say
   我迷路了。 wǒ mílù le I'm lost.
   Word 93: 迷路 · lost
6. You say
   我听不懂。 wǒ tīng bu dǒng I don't understand.
   Word 94: 听不懂 · don't understand (what I hear)
7. You say
   请说慢一点。 qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn Please speak more slowly.
   Word 95: 慢 · slow
8. You say
   你会说英语吗？ nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma Do you speak English?
   Word 96: 英语 · English
9. You say
   救命！ jiùmìng Help!
   Word 97: 救命 · help (emergency)
10. You say
    叫警察！ jiào jǐngchá Call the police!
    Word 98: 警察 · police

    Emergency numbers in mainland China: police 110, ambulance 120.

11. You hear
    没关系。 méi guānxi It's fine, don't worry.
    Word 99: 没关系 · it's OK
12. You say
    拜拜！ bàibài Bye!
    Word 100: 拜拜 · bye