6 useful Chinese phrases for a beginner
Introduction
Chinese is a difficult language, and it’s easy to feel intimidated by how many characters there are. However, if you’re just starting out learning Chinese, it’s important to be able to carry on basic conversations with people as soon as possible! The six phrases below will help you do just that.
Ni hao — Hello
Ni hao is a common greeting in Chinese. It means “hello” and it is used to say hello to people you know and people you don’t know.
It’s also a good idea to learn how to say ni hao because you can use it for all sorts of situations! For example, if someone enters your room or office, you can say: “Ni hao!” If someone asks how are you doing, then answer with “Wǒ hěn hǎo.” If someone says goodbye after meeting up with you, then reply back by saying Ni Hao again!
Zai jian — Goodbye
Goodbye is the most basic and important Chinese phrase for beginners to learn. It’s used when you are leaving a place without seeing someone again, whether you’re moving on from a conversation, an event or an environment.
Zai jian literally means “go to be over there.” This phrase can be used in any situation where saying goodbye is appropriate. If someone asks about your plans for the day, you might say Zai jian! Zai jian is also commonly used as an informal parting phrase of sorts — for example, if you are hanging out with friends at home and they leave the room briefly:
“Zai jian!”
If someone replies “zai jian” back to this statement or some variation thereof (e.g., “bye”), they acknowledge that they will see him/her again later on in time.
Xie xie — Thank you
This means “thank you” in Chinese. It’s similar to the English phrase and can be used for accepting a gift, compliment, or help.
Here are some common situations where you might use Xie xie:
- If someone gives you a gift, thank them by saying “Xie xie.”
- If someone compliments you on something (like your clothes or shoes), say “Xie xie.”
- If someone helps you carry something heavy or does another favor for you that requires effort on their part (like moving furniture or giving directions), thank them by saying “Xie xie”.
Bu yao — Don’t want it
Bu yao can be used to express that you do not want something. It is a useful phrase for situations such as when you have finished eating and your friend offers you more food, or when someone offers you a discount on something in a shop.
Bu yao literally means “not want”, but it is similar to the English phrase “no thanks”, which also means “I don’t want anything”.
Wo bu zhidao — I don’t know
If you’re not sure about something, or if you don’t know the answer to a question, this phrase will get you through. You can say Wo bu zhidao when someone asks you where to go next or what time the movie starts — or even just because it’s fun to say “I don’t know!”
You might hear this phrase a lot if you’re traveling with friends: they’ll ask each other questions that start with Wo bu zhidao… and then they’ll all laugh because of how silly it sounds in Chinese. Try it out!
Wo bu ming bai — I don’t understand
When you are learning Chinese and don’t understand what people are saying, you will probably want to say “Wo bu ming bai.”
This is a useful phrase that can be used in several different situations.
You could use it when you’re having trouble understanding someone’s words or accent. For example, if someone says something in an unfamiliar accent or uses some words that you don’t know, then this phrase would be appropriate for asking for clarification or repeating the last part of their sentence so that they can hear it again and make sure that they understood correctly before answering your question.
Here are some useful Chinese phrases for beginners
If you want to learn more, go to a Chinese school. There are many schools in China. They are all free of charge because the government wants people to learn their language and culture so that China can be strong. Students will be paid by the government if they decide not to work after graduating from high school or college, but most students do choose to work since they have studied so hard during their time at school!
You can also go on vacation with your friends and family in Beijing or Shanghai (or even Hong Kong). These cities are beautiful places where there’s always something fun going on: art exhibitions at museums, performances by famous singers and dancers on stage at theater performances…you’ll find lots of interesting things happening when you visit these cities!
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed reading these Chinese phrases! Remember that language can be fun, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t learn them all right away. The important thing is to keep practicing and enjoying yourself.
