Chinese phrases | Most common phrases for everyday life

Chinese phrases – Here you will find the most common phrases in Chinese with translation. | Free & useful

Chinese phrases - Most common phrases for everyday life

Chinese phrases are short expressions or idioms often used in speech to be polite, express gratitude, greet or say goodbye or simply to have a pleasant conversation.

They are an important part of Chinese culture and can be useful in different situations, both in private and business life.

Chinese phrases you should know

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Greet someone in Chinese

If you want to greet someone in Chinese, it’s actually quite easy:

English	Chinese	IPA
Welcome! in Chinese	欢迎！	[xwán jɪ̌ŋ]
Good day to you! in Chinese	祝你今天愉快！	[ʈʂû nǐ tɕín.tʰjɛn y̌ kʰwâɪ̯]
Good morning to you! in Chinese	早上好！	[tsɑ̀ʊ̯ ʂâŋ xàʊ̯]
Good evening! in Chinese	晚上好！	[wàn ʂâŋ xàʊ̯]
Good to see you. in Chinese	很高兴见到你。	[xən˨˩˦ káʊ̯ɕîŋ tɕjɛn˥˩ tâʊ̯˥˩ nǐ˨˩˦]
I’m glad to see you. in Chinese	见到你很高兴。	[tɕjɛn˥˩ tâʊ̯˥˩ nǐ˨˩˦ xən˨˩˦ káʊ̯ɕîŋ]

If you are greeted in Chinese, the best way to respond is as follows:

English	Chinese	IPA
Have a nice day too! in Chinese	祝你也有美好的一天！	[ʈʂû nǐ jɛ̀ jǒʊ̯ měi xàʊ̯ də í tʰjɛn˥]
Thanks, it’s nice to see you too. in Chinese	谢谢，也很高兴见到你。	[ɕjɛ̂ɕjɛ jɛ̀ xən˨˩˦ káʊ̯ɕîŋ tɕjɛn˥˩ tâʊ̯˥˩ nǐ]

How is my dialogue partner?

As in any other country, it is polite to start by asking where the person you are talking to is located. Here’s how you do it:

English	Chinese	IPA
How are you doing? in Chinese	你怎么样？	[nì tsə̌n mə jâŋ]
Are you doing well? in Chinese	你过得好吗？	[nì kuô tɤ xàʊ̯ ma]

If you are asked how you feel, you can answer with the following phrases:

English	Chinese	IPA
Thank you for asking, I am fine.	谢谢你关心，我很好。	[ɕjɛ̂ɕjɛ nǐ ku̯ánɕin wɔ̌ xən˨˩˦ xàʊ̯]
Thank you, I am fine.	谢谢，我很好。	[ɕjɛ̂ɕjɛ wɔ̌ xən˨˩˦ xàʊ̯]
Thank you, I am not doing so well.	谢谢，我不太好。	[ɕjɛ̂ɕjɛ wɔ̌ pǔ tʰâɪ̯ xàʊ̯]
Thanks, I’m fine. How are you doing?	谢谢，我很好。你怎么样？	[ɕjɛ̂ɕjɛ wɔ̌ xən˨˩˦ xàʊ̯ nǐ tsə̌n mə yâŋ]

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How do I say goodbye to someone in Chinese?

Saying goodbye to a friend or stranger in Chinese is not that difficult. Just use the following phrases:

English	Chinese	IPA
Goodbye! in Chinese	再见！	[tsaɪ̯˥˩ tɕjɛn˥˩]
Take care of yourself! in Chinese	保重！	[pàʊ̯˨˩˦ ʈʂʊ̂ŋ]
Goodbye in Chinese	再见	[tsaɪ̯˥˩ tɕjɛn˥˩]
See you tomorrow in Chinese	明天见！	[mǐŋ˧˥ tʰjɛn˥ tɕjɛn˥˩]
See you soon in Chinese	回头见！	[xwei̯˧˥ tʰoʊ̯˧˥ tɕjɛn˥˩]
See you later in Chinese	待会儿见！	[taɪ̯˥ xweɚ˥˩ tɕjɛn˥˩]
Good night in Chinese	晚安！	[wàn˨˩˦ án˥]
Sleep well in Chinese	睡个好觉！	[ʂwêɪ̯ kɤ xàʊ̯ tɕjâʊ̯]
Talk to you later. in Chinese	回头聊！	[xwei̯˧˥ tʰoʊ̯˧˥ ljǎʊ̯˧˥]
Nice to have met you! in Chinese	很高兴认识你！	[xən˨˩˦ káʊ̯ɕîŋ ʐən˥˩ʂʐ̩ nǐ˨˩˦]

How do I introduce myself in Chinese?

When travelling in China, sooner or later you will come into contact with local people. Naturally, you’ll want to introduce yourself in Chinese and know who you’re talking to.

English	Chinese	IPA
My name is Jonas.	我叫约纳斯。	[wɔ̀ tɕjâʊ̯ ɥœ̄ nâ sɯ̄]
What is your name?	你叫什么名字？	[nì tɕjâʊ̯ ʂə̌.mɤ mǐŋ.tsɯ]
What is your surname? –	你姓什么？	[nì ɕîŋ ʂə̌.mɤ]
What is your first name? –	你的名字是什么？	[nǐ tɤ mǐŋ.tsɯ ʂɤ̂ ʂə̌.mɤ]
What is your surname?	你姓什么？	[nì ɕîŋ ʂə̌.mɤ]

If you want to tell people where you come from, the following sentences are useful:

English	Chinese	IPA
Where do you come from? –	你来自哪里？	[nǐ lǎɪ̯ tsɨ˥˩ nǎ lǐ]
I am from London.	我来自伦敦。	[wɔ̌ lǎɪ̯ tsɨ˥˩ lǔn tūn]
Are you from Birmingham?	你来自伯明翰吗？	[nǐ lǎɪ̯ tsɨ˥˩ pwɔ̌ mǐŋ xân ma]
No, I’m from Madrid.	不，我来自马德里。	[pû, wɔ̌ lǎɪ̯ tsɨ˥˩ mǎ tɤ́ lǐ]
Great, I’m from Madrid too.	太好了，我也来自马德里。	[tʰâɪ̯ xàʊ̯ lɤ̌, wɔ̌ jɛ̀ lǎɪ̯ tsɨ˥˩ mǎ tɤ́ lǐ]
Where do you live?	你住在哪里？	[nǐ ʈʂû tsâɪ̯ nǎ lǐ]
I live in Berlin.	我住在柏林。	[wɔ̌ ʈʂû tsâɪ̯ pwɔ̌ lǐn]

If you have problems with your Chinese, it is good to know which languages are still spoken:

English	Chinese	IPA
Do you speak English?	你会说英语吗？	[ni˨˩˦ xwêɪ̯ ʂwó jɪ́ŋ.ỳ ma]
Yes, I speak English.	是的，我会说英语。	[ʂɻ̩̂ tɤ˙ wɔ˨˩˦ xwêɪ̯ ʂwó jɪ́ŋ.ỳ]
Yes, I speak some English.	是的，我会说一点英语。	[ʂɻ̩̂ tɤ˙ wɔ˨˩˦ xwêɪ̯ ʂwó î.tjɛn˨˩˦ jɪ́ŋ.ỳ]
No, I do not speak any English.	不，我不会说英语。	[pû, wɔ˨˩˦ pʰù xwêɪ̯ ʂwó jɪ́ŋ.ỳ]
I only speak English.	我只会说英语。	[wɔ˨˩˦ ʈʂɻ̩̌ xwêɪ̯ ʂwó jɪ́ŋ.ỳ]
I understand some Chinese.	我懂一点中文。	[wɔ˨˩˦ tʊ̌ŋ î.tjɛn˨˩˦ tʂʊ́ŋ wən˧˥]

Useful sentences with ‘I am…’

The following sentences will help you orientate yourself in Chinese and express your wishes and concerns:

English	Chinese	IPA
I am English. in Chinese	我是英国人。	[wɔ˨˩˦ ʂɻ̩̂ íŋ.kwɔ̌.ɻən˧˥]
I am injured. in Chinese	我受伤了。	[wɔ˨˩˦ ʂôʊ̯ ʂáŋ lɤ˙]
I am here. in Chinese	我在这里。	[wɔ˨˩˦ tsâɪ̯ ʈʂɤ̂ li˥]
I am hungry. in Chinese	我饿了。	[wɔ˨˩˦ ɤ̂ lɤ˙]
I am thirsty. in Chinese	我渴了。	[wɔ˨˩˦ kʰɤ̀ lɤ˙]
I am a single person. in Chinese	我单身。	[wɔ˨˩˦ tán ʂən˥]
I need help! in Chinese	我需要帮助！	[wɔ˨˩˦ ɕŷ.jàʊ̯ páŋ.ʈʂû]
I am tired. in Chinese	我累了。	[wɔ˨˩˦ lêɪ̯ lɤ˙]
I am happy. in Chinese	我很高兴。	[wɔ˨˩˦ xən˨˩˦ káʊ̯ɕîŋ]
I am sad. in Chinese	我很难过。	[wɔ˨˩˦ xən˨˩˦ nǎn kûɔ]
I am in love. in Chinese	我恋爱了。	[wɔ˨˩˦ lîɛn âɪ̯ lɤ˙]
I am ill. in Chinese	我生病了。	[wɔ˨˩˦ ʂə̌ŋ pîŋ lɤ˙]
I am ready. in Chinese	我准备好了。	[wɔ˨˩˦ ʈʂwə̌n pêɪ̯ xàʊ̯ lɤ˙]
I am busy. in Chinese	我很忙。	[wɔ˨˩˦ xən˨˩˦ mǎŋ]
I am lost. in Chinese	我迷路了。	[wɔ˨˩˦ mǐ lû lɤ˙]
I am a tourist. in Chinese	我是游客。	[wɔ˨˩˦ ʂɻ̩̂ jóʊ̯ kʰɤ̂]
I am new here. in Chinese	我刚到这里。	[wɔ˨˩˦ kāŋ tâʊ̯ ʈʂɤ̂ li˥]
I am confident. in Chinese	我很自信。	[wɔ˨˩˦ xən˨˩˦ tsɤ̂ ɕîn]
I am proud. in Chinese	我很自豪。	[wɔ˨˩˦ xən˨˩˦ tsɤ̂ xáʊ̯]
I am a teacher. in Chinese	我是老师。	[wɔ˨˩˦ ʂɻ̩̂ lɑ̌ʊ̯ ʂɻ̩̌]
I am late. in Chinese	我迟到了。	[wɔ˨˩˦ ʈʂʰɨ̌ tâʊ̯ lɤ˙]
I am 30 years old. in Chinese	我三十岁。	[wɔ˨˩˦ sān ʂɻ̩̌ sweî̯]
I am in a hurry. in Chinese	我很急。	[wɔ˨˩˦ xən˨˩˦ tɕǐ]
I am happy. in Chinese	我很高兴。	[wɔ˨˩˦ xən˨˩˦ káʊ̯ɕîŋ]
I am surprised. in Chinese	我很惊讶。	[wɔ˨˩˦ xən˨˩˦ tɕīŋ jâ]
I am angry. in Chinese	我很生气。	[wɔ˨˩˦ xən˨˩˦ ʂə̄ŋ tɕʰî]

Apologising in Chinese

Here’s how to apologise to a Chinese speaker:

English	Chinese	IPA
I apologise.	我道歉。	[wɔ̌ tâʊ̯ tɕʰjɛn˥˩]
Sorry, that was not the intention.	对不起，那不是故意的。	[twêɪ̯ pù tɕʰì nâ pǔ ʂʐ̩̂ kû î tə]
Sorry, I did not do it on purpose.	对不起，我不是故意的。	[twêɪ̯ pù tɕʰì wɔ̌ pǔ ʂʐ̩̂ kû î tə]
Sorry, that was very clumsy of me.	对不起，我太笨拙了。	[twêɪ̯ pù tɕʰì wɔ̌ tʰâɪ̯ pə̂n ʈʂwɔ̌ lɤ˙]

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Useful signs and notices in Chinese

Useful signs and messages in Chinese that you will often see.

English	Chinese	IPA
Entrance in Chinese	入口	[ʐû kʰǒʊ̯]
Toilet in Chinese	厕所	[tsʰɤ̂ swɔ̌]
Exit in Chinese	出口	[ʈʂʰū kʰǒʊ̯]
Attention! in Chinese	注意！	[ʈʂû î]
Police in Chinese	警察	[tɕǐŋ ʈʂʰá]
Emergency services in Chinese	急救	[tɕí tɕjôʊ̯]
Fire brigade in Chinese	消防队	[ɕjāʊ̯ fáŋ twêɪ̯]
Passage forbidden. in Chinese	禁止通行。	[tɕîn ʈʂɻ̩̌ tʰʊ̄ŋ ɕíŋ]
Caution! in Chinese	小心！	[ɕjǎʊ̯ ɕīn]
This building is under video surveillance. in Chinese	此建筑已被视频监控。	[tsʰɻ̩̌ tɕjɛn̂ ʈʂû ǐ pêɪ̯ ʂɻ̩̂ pʰín tɕjɛn̄ kʰʊ̂ŋ]

Numbers to 25 in Chinese

Counting in Chinese is not that difficult. Here are the numbers in Chinese from 1 to 25.

English	Chinese	IPA
1 in Chinese	一	[i˥]
2 in Chinese	二	[aɚ̯˥˩]
3 in Chinese	三	[san˥]
4 in Chinese	四	[sɻ̩˥˩]
5 in Chinese	五	[u˨˩˦]
6 in Chinese	六	[li̯oʊ̯˥˩]
7 in Chinese	七	[tɕʰi˥]
8 in Chinese	八	[pa˥]
9 in Chinese	九	[tɕioʊ̯˨˩˦]
10 in Chinese	十	[ʂʐ̩˧˥]
11 in Chinese	十一	[ʂʐ̩˧˥ i˥]
12 in Chinese	十二	[ʂʐ̩˧˥ aɚ̯˥˩]
13 in Chinese	十三	[ʂʐ̩˧˥ san˥]
14 in Chinese	十四	[ʂʐ̩˧˥ sɻ̩˥˩]
15 in Chinese	十五	[ʂʐ̩˧˥ u˨˩˦]
16 in Chinese	十六	[ʂʐ̩˧˥ li̯oʊ̯˥˩]
17 in Chinese	十七	[ʂʐ̩˧˥ tɕʰi˥]
18 in Chinese	十八	[ʂʐ̩˧˥ pa˥]
19 in Chinese	十九	[ʂʐ̩˧˥ tɕioʊ̯˨˩˦]
20 in Chinese	二十	[aɚ̯˥˩ ʂʐ̩˧˥]
21 in Chinese	二十一	[aɚ̯˥˩ ʂʐ̩˧˥ i˥]
22 in Chinese	二十二	[aɚ̯˥˩ ʂʐ̩˧˥ aɚ̯˥˩]
23 in Chinese	二十三	[aɚ̯˥˩ ʂʐ̩˧˥ san˥]
24 in Chinese	二十四	[aɚ̯˥˩ ʂʐ̩˧˥ sɻ̩˥˩]
25 in Chinese	二十五	[aɚ̯˥˩ ʂʐ̩˧˥ u˨˩˦]

The colours in Chinese

The most common colours in Chinese with phonetic transcription for pronunciation.

English	Chinese	IPA
Red in Chinese	红色	[xʊ̌ŋ sɤ̂]
Orange in Chinese	橙色	[ʈʂʰə̌ŋ sɤ̂]
Yellow in Chinese	黄色	[xu̯ǎŋ sɤ̂]
Green in Chinese	绿色	[lŷ sɤ̂]
Blue in Chinese	蓝色	[lǎn sɤ̂]
Purple in Chinese	紫色	[tsɿ̌ sɤ̂]
Pink in Chinese	粉色	[fə̌n sɤ̂]
Brown in Chinese	棕色	[tsʊŋ˥ sɤ̂]
Black in Chinese	黑色	[xə́ɪ̯ sɤ̂]
White in Chinese	白色	[pǎɪ̯ sɤ̂]

Days of the week, months and seasons in Chinese

Of course, you will also need the days of the week in Chinese and the pronunciation of the months and seasons in dialogues and daily communication in Chinese.

English	Chinese	IPA
Monday in Chinese	星期一	[ɕiŋ˥˥ t͡ɕʰi˥ i˥]
Tuesday in Chinese	星期二	[ɕiŋ˥˥ t͡ɕʰi˥ aɚ̯˥˩]
Wednesday in Chinese	星期三	[ɕiŋ˥˥ t͡ɕʰi˥ san˥]
Thursday in Chinese	星期四	[ɕiŋ˥˥ t͡ɕʰi˥ sɯ˥˩]
Friday in Chinese	星期五	[ɕiŋ˥˥ t͡ɕʰi˥ u˨˩˦]
Saturday in Chinese	星期六	[ɕiŋ˥˥ t͡ɕʰi˥ li̯oʊ̯˥˩]
Sunday in Chinese	星期日	[ɕiŋ˥˥ t͡ɕʰi˥ ʐ̩̂]
January in Chinese	一月	[i˥ ɥê]
February in Chinese	二月	[aɚ̯˥˩ ɥê]
March in Chinese	三月	[san˥ ɥê]
April in Chinese	四月	[sɯ˥˩ ɥê]
May in Chinese	五月	[u˨˩˦ ɥê]
June in Chinese	六月	[li̯oʊ̯˥˩ ɥê]
July in Chinese	七月	[t͡ɕʰi˥ ɥê]
August in Chinese	八月	[pa˥ ɥê]
September in Chinese	九月	[t͡ɕioʊ̯˨˩˦ ɥê]
October in Chinese	十月	[ʂʐ̩˧˥ ɥê]
November in Chinese	十一月	[ʂʐ̩˧˥ i˥ ɥê]
December in Chinese	十二月	[ʂʐ̩˧˥ aɚ̯˥˩ ɥê]
Spring in Chinese	春天	[t͡ʂʰwən˥ tʰjɛn˥]
Summer in Chinese	夏天	[ɕi̯a˥˩ tʰjɛn˥]
Autumn in Chinese	秋天	[t͡ɕʰjoʊ̯˥ tʰjɛn˥]
Winter in Chinese	冬天	[tʊŋ˥ tʰjɛn˥]

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