Top 20 Mandarin Survival Phrases for Your First Trip to China
June 6, 2025
Top 20 Mandarin Survival Phrases for Your First Trip to China
Landing in Beijing with zero Chinese is like stepping into a karaoke bar where you don’t know the lyrics. Memorise the 20 lines below and you’ll order dumplings, haggle for souvenirs, and find the restroom without frantic charades.
| 🇨🇳 Mandarin | 📝 Pinyin | 🇺🇸 Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 你好 | nǐ hǎo | Hello |
| 谢谢 | xièxie | Thank you |
| 不客气 | bú kèqi | You’re welcome |
| … | … | … |
| 厕所在哪里？ | cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ? | Where’s the restroom? |
(Download the full one-page cheat sheet at the end.)
Pronunciation Tips
Focus on the 3rd-tone dip in nǐ hǎo and the falling 4th tone in xièxie.
How Leyo.ai Helps
- Phrase-of-the-Day Alerts keep each line top-of-mind while you pack.
- Scenario Simulations – Role-play ordering 小笼包 with an AI waiter until you nail it.
- Offline Flashcards – Perfect for the Great Firewall’s patchy Wi-Fi zones.
Grab the printable cheat sheet + a free Leyo.ai travel lesson here.
一路顺风 — safe travels!