Simplified Chinese Phrases for Beginners: 60+ Essential Expressions With Pinyin
Start with 常用短语 (chángyòng duǎnyǔ), the everyday phrases that help you greet people, ask questions, get help, and sound much less like a confused translation app with feelings.
If you are learning simplified Chinese, phrases give you the fastest payoff. Single words are useful. Grammar is useful. But whole phrases are what actually get you through a coffee order, a small conversation, a polite apology, or that awkward moment when someone speaks at full speed and your brain quietly leaves the room.
This guide gives you high-utility beginner phrases first, then shows you how to use them in real life with hanzi, pinyin, English meanings, and example sentences. Brand new to the language? Start with Start Here. Want more core words? Head to Vocabulary. Need the glue that makes phrases expand into real sentences? Visit Grammar. Want more playful, cultural, and slangy material? Wander into Culture & Fun. Need books, tools, and study help? The Resources guide has you covered.
Yak Tip: Learn Phrases In Chunks, Not As Word Salad
Do not memorize 你好 (nǐ hǎo), 谢谢 (xièxie), and 对不起 (duìbuqǐ), then stare blankly when a real conversation grows extra limbs. Memorize whole chunks like 请再说一遍 (qǐng zài shuō yí biàn) and 这个多少钱？ (zhège duōshao qián?) so your mouth already knows what to do before your inner panic committee has time to vote.
How To Learn Phrases So They Actually Stick
The best beginner phrases do three jobs at once: they are common, they are flexible, and they unlock new conversation. A phrase like 我听不懂 (wǒ tīng bù dǒng) is not glamorous, but it is wildly useful. A phrase like 我想…… (wǒ xiǎng……) lets you order food, make plans, and express preferences without needing ten separate sentence templates.
- Learn the phrase as one chunk first, then notice the moving parts later.
- Say the pinyin out loud. Silent studying feels productive right up until a real human appears.
- Swap just one word at a time. Change coffee to tea, today to tomorrow, expensive to cheap, and suddenly one phrase becomes five.
Five Reusable Patterns That Do Most Of The Heavy Lifting
| Pattern | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 请 + … | qǐng + … | please … | 请坐。 | qǐng zuò. | Please sit. |
| 可以……吗？ | kěyǐ……ma? | can / may …? | 可以拍照吗？ | kěyǐ pāizhào ma? | May I take a photo? |
| 我想…… | wǒ xiǎng…… | I want / I would like … | 我想喝茶。 | wǒ xiǎng hē chá. | I’d like to drink tea. |
| 不 + … | bù + … | not / do not … | 我不明白。 | wǒ bù míngbai. | I do not understand. |
| 太……了 | tài……le | too / so … | 太贵了。 | tài guì le. | It is too expensive. |
Pronunciation matters more than brave guessing, so pair this page with the Pinyin Guide and the Four Tones Guide. When these phrases start feeling like little Lego bricks, the Word Order Guide and the main Grammar Guide make the patterns much less mysterious.
Essential Phrase Cards
你好
nǐ hǎo
Hello
谢谢
xièxie
Thank you
对不起
duìbuqǐ
Sorry
请再说一遍
qǐng zài shuō yí biàn
Please say it again
我听不懂
wǒ tīng bù dǒng
I do not understand
这个多少钱？
zhège duōshao qián?
How much is this?
我要这个
wǒ yào zhège
I want this
加油
jiā yóu
You can do it
Core Simplified Chinese Phrases By Situation
These are the phrases that carry a shocking amount of beginner conversation. Learn them by situation, not by alphabet. Real life does not arrive sorted like a dictionary, because apparently life enjoys drama.
Greetings And Politeness
| Hanzi | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 你好 | nǐ hǎo | hello | 你好，很高兴见到你。 | nǐ hǎo, hěn gāoxìng jiàn dào nǐ. | Hello, nice to see you. |
| 嗨 | hāi | hi | 嗨，你今天怎么样？ | hāi, nǐ jīntiān zěnmeyàng? | Hi, how are you today? |
| 早上好 | zǎoshang hǎo | good morning | 老师，早上好。 | lǎoshī, zǎoshang hǎo. | Good morning, teacher. |
| 下午好 | xiàwǔ hǎo | good afternoon | 王经理，下午好。 | Wáng jīnglǐ, xiàwǔ hǎo. | Good afternoon, Manager Wang. |
| 晚安 | wǎn’ān | good night | 很晚了，晚安。 | hěn wǎn le, wǎn’ān. | It is late. Good night. |
| 再见 | zàijiàn | goodbye | 我先走了，再见。 | wǒ xiān zǒu le, zàijiàn. | I am leaving first. Goodbye. |
| 谢谢 | xièxie | thank you | 谢谢你的帮助。 | xièxie nǐ de bāngzhù. | Thank you for your help. |
| 不客气 | bú kèqi | you are welcome | 不客气，这是我应该做的。 | bú kèqi, zhè shì wǒ yīnggāi zuò de. | You are welcome. It is what I should do. |
| 对不起 | duìbuqǐ | sorry | 对不起，我迟到了。 | duìbuqǐ, wǒ chídào le. | Sorry, I am late. |
| 没关系 | méi guānxi | it is okay / no problem | 没关系，我们还没开始。 | méi guānxi, wǒmen hái méi kāishǐ. | It is okay. We have not started yet. |
Want a deeper run at the basics? Go next to How to Say Hello in Chinese and Thank You in Chinese.
Meeting People And Basic Conversation
| Hanzi | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 你叫什么名字？ | nǐ jiào shénme míngzi? | what is your name? | 你叫什么名字？我叫安娜。 | nǐ jiào shénme míngzi? wǒ jiào Ānnà. | What is your name? My name is Anna. |
| 我叫…… | wǒ jiào…… | my name is … | 我叫马克。 | wǒ jiào Mǎkè. | My name is Mark. |
| 你来自哪里？ | nǐ láizì nǎli? | where are you from? | 你来自哪里？ | nǐ láizì nǎli? | Where are you from? |
| 我来自美国。 | wǒ láizì Měiguó. | I am from the United States. | 我来自美国，现在住在上海。 | wǒ láizì Měiguó, xiànzài zhù zài Shànghǎi. | I am from the United States, and now I live in Shanghai. |
| 你会说英语吗？ | nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma? | do you speak English? | 你会说英语吗？我中文不太好。 | nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma? wǒ Zhōngwén bú tài hǎo. | Do you speak English? My Chinese is not very good. |
| 我会一点中文。 | wǒ huì yìdiǎn Zhōngwén. | I speak a little Chinese. | 我会一点中文，但是说得很慢。 | wǒ huì yìdiǎn Zhōngwén, dànshì shuō de hěn màn. | I speak a little Chinese, but slowly. |
| 很高兴认识你。 | hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ. | nice to meet you | 你好，很高兴认识你。 | nǐ hǎo, hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ. | Hello, nice to meet you. |
| 你好吗？ | nǐ hǎo ma? | how are you? | 你好，好久不见，你好吗？ | nǐ hǎo, hǎojiǔ bú jiàn, nǐ hǎo ma? | Hi, long time no see, how are you? |
| 我很好。 | wǒ hěn hǎo. | I am fine. | 谢谢，我很好。 | xièxie, wǒ hěn hǎo. | Thanks, I am fine. |
| 你呢？ | nǐ ne? | and you? | 我今天很忙，你呢？ | wǒ jīntiān hěn máng, nǐ ne? | I am busy today, and you? |
To build smoother intros and small talk, continue with How to Introduce Yourself in Chinese and Basic Questions in Chinese.
Survival Phrases And Getting Help
| Hanzi | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 我听不懂。 | wǒ tīng bù dǒng. | I do not understand what I hear | 你可以再说一遍吗？我听不懂。 | nǐ kěyǐ zài shuō yí biàn ma? wǒ tīng bù dǒng. | Can you say it again? I do not understand. |
| 我不知道。 | wǒ bù zhīdào. | I do not know | 对不起，我不知道。 | duìbuqǐ, wǒ bù zhīdào. | Sorry, I do not know. |
| 请再说一遍。 | qǐng zài shuō yí biàn. | please say it again | 说太快了，请再说一遍。 | shuō tài kuài le, qǐng zài shuō yí biàn. | You spoke too fast. Please say it again. |
| 请说慢一点。 | qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn. | please speak more slowly | 我的中文一般，请说慢一点。 | wǒ de Zhōngwén yìbān, qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn. | My Chinese is average. Please speak more slowly. |
| 这是什么意思？ | zhè shì shénme yìsi? | what does this mean? | “免费”这是什么意思？ | “miǎnfèi” zhè shì shénme yìsi? | What does “free of charge” mean? |
| 这个用中文怎么说？ | zhège yòng Zhōngwén zěnme shuō? | how do you say this in Chinese? | “receipt”这个用中文怎么说？ | “receipt” zhège yòng Zhōngwén zěnme shuō? | How do you say “receipt” in Chinese? |
| 洗手间在哪里？ | xǐshǒujiān zài nǎli? | where is the restroom? | 不好意思，洗手间在哪里？ | bù hǎoyìsi, xǐshǒujiān zài nǎli? | Excuse me, where is the restroom? |
| 这个多少钱？ | zhège duōshao qián? | how much is this? | 这个多少钱？可以刷卡吗？ | zhège duōshao qián? kěyǐ shuākǎ ma? | How much is this? Can I pay by card? |
| 可以帮我吗？ | kěyǐ bāng wǒ ma? | can you help me? | 我找不到地铁站，可以帮我吗？ | wǒ zhǎo bú dào dìtiězhàn, kěyǐ bāng wǒ ma? | I cannot find the subway station. Can you help me? |
| 我迷路了。 | wǒ mílù le. | I am lost | 不好意思，我迷路了。 | bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ mílù le. | Sorry, I am lost. |
For the ultra-practical stuff, keep going with I Don’t Know in Chinese and Toilet Phrases in Chinese.
Time, Dates, Numbers, And Planning
| Hanzi | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 今天 | jīntiān | today | 今天我不上班。 | jīntiān wǒ bú shàngbān. | I am not working today. |
| 明天 | míngtiān | tomorrow | 明天我们见面吧。 | míngtiān wǒmen jiànmiàn ba. | Let’s meet tomorrow. |
| 昨天 | zuótiān | yesterday | 昨天太忙了。 | zuótiān tài máng le. | Yesterday was too busy. |
| 现在几点？ | xiànzài jǐ diǎn? | what time is it now? | 不好意思，现在几点？ | bù hǎoyìsi, xiànzài jǐ diǎn? | Excuse me, what time is it now? |
| 现在三点。 | xiànzài sān diǎn. | it is three o’clock now | 现在三点，我们可以出发了。 | xiànzài sān diǎn, wǒmen kěyǐ chūfā le. | It is three o’clock now, and we can leave. |
| 今天星期几？ | jīntiān xīngqī jǐ? | what day is it today? | 今天星期几？我有点糊涂。 | jīntiān xīngqī jǐ? wǒ yǒudiǎn hútu. | What day is it today? I am a little confused. |
| 今天星期五。 | jīntiān xīngqīwǔ. | it is Friday today | 今天星期五，大家都很开心。 | jīntiān xīngqīwǔ, dàjiā dōu hěn kāixīn. | It is Friday today, and everyone is happy. |
| 几号？ | jǐ hào? | what date is it? | 今天几号？ | jīntiān jǐ hào? | What is today’s date? |
| 今天是三月十一号。 | jīntiān shì Sānyuè shíyī hào. | today is March 11th | 今天是三月十一号，我们有课。 | jīntiān shì Sānyuè shíyī hào, wǒmen yǒu kè. | Today is March 11th, and we have class. |
| 我们几点见？ | wǒmen jǐ diǎn jiàn? | what time shall we meet? | 明天我们几点见？ | míngtiān wǒmen jǐ diǎn jiàn? | What time shall we meet tomorrow? |
Dates and time words snowball fast, so the best next reads are Numbers in Chinese and Chinese Date Formats Explained.
Food, Shopping, And Daily Life
| Hanzi | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 我要这个。 | wǒ yào zhège. | I want this | 老板，我要这个。 | lǎobǎn, wǒ yào zhège. | Shopkeeper, I want this. |
| 我要一杯咖啡。 | wǒ yào yì bēi kāfēi. | I would like a coffee | 你好，我要一杯热咖啡。 | nǐ hǎo, wǒ yào yì bēi rè kāfēi. | Hello, I would like a hot coffee. |
| 我要一碗面。 | wǒ yào yì wǎn miàn. | I would like a bowl of noodles | 中午我想要一碗面。 | zhōngwǔ wǒ xiǎng yào yì wǎn miàn. | At lunch I want a bowl of noodles. |
| 不要辣。 | bú yào là. | no spicy | 我的那份不要辣。 | wǒ de nà fèn bú yào là. | Mine should not be spicy. |
| 少糖。 | shǎo táng. | less sugar | 奶茶少糖，谢谢。 | nǎichá shǎo táng, xièxie. | Milk tea with less sugar, thank you. |
| 可以打包吗？ | kěyǐ dǎbāo ma? | can I get it to go? | 吃不完，可以打包吗？ | chī bú wán, kěyǐ dǎbāo ma? | I cannot finish it. Can I pack it up? |
| 我买单。 | wǒ mǎidān. | I will pay / the bill is on me | 今天我买单。 | jīntiān wǒ mǎidān. | I will pay today. |
| 可以便宜一点吗？ | kěyǐ piányi yìdiǎn ma? | can it be a little cheaper? | 这个可以便宜一点吗？ | zhège kěyǐ piányi yìdiǎn ma? | Can this be a little cheaper? |
| 有微信支付吗？ | yǒu Wēixìn zhīfù ma? | do you take WeChat Pay? | 你们有微信支付吗？ | nǐmen yǒu Wēixìn zhīfù ma? | Do you accept WeChat Pay? |
| 我在找地铁站。 | wǒ zài zhǎo dìtiězhàn. | I am looking for the subway station | 不好意思，我在找地铁站。 | bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ zài zhǎo dìtiězhàn. | Excuse me, I am looking for the subway station. |
Hungry already? Build this set out with Coffee Ordering Phrases in Chinese and Food in Chinese.
Feelings, Opinions, And Friendly Social Phrases
| Hanzi | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 我喜欢。 | wǒ xǐhuan. | I like it | 我喜欢这家店。 | wǒ xǐhuan zhè jiā diàn. | I like this shop. |
| 我不喜欢。 | wǒ bù xǐhuan. | I do not like it | 我不喜欢太甜的饮料。 | wǒ bù xǐhuan tài tián de yǐnliào. | I do not like very sweet drinks. |
| 很好。 | hěn hǎo. | very good | 这个主意很好。 | zhège zhǔyì hěn hǎo. | This idea is very good. |
| 还可以。 | hái kěyǐ. | it is okay / not bad | 这家餐厅还可以。 | zhè jiā cāntīng hái kěyǐ. | This restaurant is okay. |
| 我很忙。 | wǒ hěn máng. | I am busy | 今天我很忙，晚上再聊。 | jīntiān wǒ hěn máng, wǎnshang zài liáo. | I am busy today. Let’s talk tonight. |
| 我累了。 | wǒ lèi le. | I am tired | 走了一天，我累了。 | zǒu le yì tiān, wǒ lèi le. | We walked all day. I am tired. |
| 加油。 | jiā yóu. | you can do it / keep it up | 明天考试，加油。 | míngtiān kǎoshì, jiā yóu. | You have an exam tomorrow. You can do it. |
| 祝你好运。 | zhù nǐ hǎo yùn. | good luck to you | 面试加油，祝你好运。 | miànshì jiāyóu, zhù nǐ hǎo yùn. | Good luck with the interview. |
| 生日快乐。 | shēngrì kuàilè. | happy birthday | 祝你生日快乐。 | zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè. | Happy birthday to you. |
| 新年快乐。 | xīnnián kuàilè. | happy new year | 大家新年快乐！ | dàjiā xīnnián kuàilè! | Happy New Year, everyone! |
For more social confidence, move on to Good Luck in Chinese and Happy Birthday in Chinese.
Common Beginner Mistakes With Chinese Phrases
- Using 你好 (nǐ hǎo) for every single greeting. It is correct, but real speech often gets more specific with morning, evening, context, or relationship.
- Memorizing a phrase without learning what can swap in and out. If you know 我要…… (wǒ yào……), you can order half the planet.
- Skipping tones in pinyin. Tone marks are not decorative sprinkles. They matter.
- Learning only polite classroom phrases and none of the rescue phrases. I do not understand is often more useful than hello. Unromantic, but true.
- Trying to force English word order into everything. Chinese likes its own furniture arrangement, thanks very much.
Quick Reference Summary
- Start with greeting, help, money, time, and opinion phrases before chasing fancy idioms.
- Learn chunks like 请再说一遍 (qǐng zài shuō yí biàn) and 我听不懂 (wǒ tīng bù dǒng) early.
- Use phrase patterns like 可以……吗？ (kěyǐ……ma?) and 我想…… (wǒ xiǎng……) to build new sentences fast.
- Pair phrase study with pronunciation, tones, and word order so you do not plateau at tourist mode forever.
- Once these 60 feel easy, branch into topic guides for greetings, food, dates, or exam prep.
Final Yak Box
If you only keep ten phrases from this guide, make them 你好 (nǐ hǎo), 谢谢 (xièxie), 对不起 (duìbuqǐ), 请再说一遍 (qǐng zài shuō yí biàn), 我听不懂 (wǒ tīng bù dǒng), 这个多少钱？ (zhège duōshao qián?), 可以帮我吗？ (kěyǐ bāng wǒ ma?), 我要这个 (wǒ yào zhège), 我喜欢 (wǒ xǐhuan), and 加油 (jiā yóu). That set covers politeness, rescue, shopping, opinions, and encouragement. Which is honestly a better survival kit than many people bring to actual travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Learn Phrases Or Grammar First?
Start with phrases first, then use grammar to explain what you already know. That order feels more natural for most beginners because you get usable language immediately instead of collecting abstract rules like a very stressed linguist.
Do I Need To Learn Hanzi Right Away?
It helps, yes, but you do not need to wait for perfect character knowledge before using phrases. Learn hanzi, pinyin, and sound together. Seeing all three at once builds stronger memory than pretending one of them will politely wait its turn.
Is 你好 (nǐ hǎo) Always Safe?
Yes, 你好 (nǐ hǎo) is safe and correct. It just is not the only greeting people use. Once you are comfortable, add more natural options based on time of day and situation.
What Should I Study After These Phrases?
After this page, go broader with the full Learn Simplified Chinese roadmap. If you want a structured exam path, read HSK Levels Explained and HSK Books Guide.