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🇨🇳Essential Chinese phrases for beginners

If you're starting Chinese from zero, these are the phrases to learn first. They cover the moments you'll hit on day one — saying hello, being polite, asking for help, ordering food and finding your way. Each one is native-checked, with romanization to help you say it, and a tap through to usage and related phrases.

How to use this list: don't try to memorize all of them at once. Learn the greetings and the courtesy phrases first — they're the ones you'll use every single day — then add a few situational ones (directions, food, emergencies) before a trip. Say each out loud; reading silently won't build the muscle. When you're ready, practice them with a real Chinese speaker.
  1. 1
    你好嗎，邁克？

    How are you, Mike?
  2. 2
    浴室在哪里？

    Where are the showers?
  3. 3
    甚麼水果是紅色的？

    What fruit is red?
  4. 4
    她說了什麼?

    What did she say?
  5. 5
    哪裡疼?

    Where does it hurt?
  6. 6
    晚上好，你好吗？

    Good evening, how are you?
  7. 7
    您会开车吗？

    Can you drive a car?
  8. 8
    我需要找人帮忙。 Wǒ xūyào zhǎo rén bāngmáng.

    I need help.
  9. 9
    明天有空吗？ Míngtiān yǒu kōng ma?

    Do you have time tomorrow?
  10. 10
    今天午饭你吃什么？

    What are you eating for lunch?
  11. 11
    飞机预计几点到？

    What's the flight's scheduled arrival time?
  12. 12
    你有多少钱？

    How much money do you have?
  13. 13
    我需要一些帮助。 Wǒ xūyào yīxiē bāohù.

    I need some help.
  14. 14
    教育的最终目的到底是什么?

    What is the ultimate purpose of education?
  15. 15
    你的胃會痛嗎?

    Do you feel any pain in your stomach?
  16. 16
    上课迟到怎么办？ Shàngkè dào wǎn nándáiliànshì?

    What should I do if I'm late for class?
  17. 17
    不，谢谢。我不需要塑料袋。

    No thank you, I don't need a plastic bag.
  18. 18
    吃了没。

    Have you eaten?
  19. 19
    钱能不能买到幸福？

    Can money buy happiness?
  20. 20
    柳橙汁或香檳?

    Orange juice or champagne?
  21. 21
    欢迎再来。

    Do come again.
  22. 22
    我吃得很飽。

    My stomach's full.
  23. 23
    不是有一点小吗?

    Isn't it a bit small?
  24. 24
    今天的工作怎么样？ Jīntiān de gōngzuò zěnme yàng?

    How is your work today?

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From phrasebook to real conversation

These essentials get you started. To actually speak Chinese, practice them out loud — free with native-speaker peers, or 1-1 with a vetted tutor.

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