50 Essential Chinese Phrases for International Students Living in China

What are the Chinese phrases you will actually use every day as a student in China? This guide covers fifty practical expressions for greetings, classrooms, restaurants, shopping, transport and emergencies — with pinyin, characters and when to use each one.

Last reviewed: September 2026 · Part of our Learn Chinese guide series.

The Chinese Phrases You Need for Daily Life in China

Moving to China for study is an exciting experience. However, one of the first challenges many international students face is communication. Even if you are still learning Chinese, knowing some basic phrases can make daily life much easier. These expressions can help you:

• Communicate with classmates
• Order food
• Use transportation
• Shop in stores
• Ask for help
• Handle daily situations

This guide introduces 50 essential Chinese phrases every international student should know before living in China.

1. Basic Greetings and Introductions

1. 你好

Nǐ hǎo
Hello
The most common Chinese greeting. You can use it with:

• Teachers
• Classmates
• Shop staff
• New friends

2. 早上好

Zǎoshang hǎo
Good morning
Used in:

• University classes
• Morning conversations

3. 晚上好

Wǎnshàng hǎo
Good evening

4. 再见

Zàijiàn
Goodbye

5. 谢谢

Xièxie
Thank you
One of the most important words to remember.

6. 不客气

7. 对不起

Duìbuqǐ
Sorry
Useful when:

• Making mistakes
• Asking someone to move
• Apologizing

8. 没关系

Méiguānxi
It’s okay / No problem

2. Introducing Yourself

9. 我叫……

10. 我是留学生

Wǒ shì liúxuéshēng
I am an international student. Very useful when communicating with:

• University staff
• Police
• Service workers

11. 我来自……

12. 你叫什么名字？

Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi? What is your name?

3. Asking for Help

13. 请问……

14. 我听不懂

Wǒ tīng bù dǒng
I don’t understand. Very useful for beginners.

15. 请再说一遍

Qǐng zài shuō yí biàn
Please say it again.

16. 可以说慢一点吗？

Kěyǐ shuō màn yìdiǎn ma? Could you speak slower?

17. 你可以写下来吗？

Nǐ kěyǐ xiě xiàlái ma? Can you write it down? Useful when pronunciation is difficult.

4. University and Classroom Phrases

18. 老师好

Lǎoshī hǎo
Hello teacher. Common greeting in Chinese universities.

19. 我有问题

Wǒ yǒu wèntí
I have a question.

20. 可以问一个问题吗？

Kěyǐ wèn yí ge wèntí ma? Can I ask a question?

21. 作业什么时候交？

Zuòyè shénme shíhou jiāo? When is the homework due?

22. 我需要帮助

Wǒ xūyào bāngzhù
I need help.

5. Food and Restaurants

23. 我要这个

Wǒ yào zhège
I want this. Useful when ordering food.

24. 多少钱？

Duōshao qián? How much does it cost?

25. 太贵了

Tài guì le
Too expensive.

26. 可以便宜一点吗？

Kěyǐ piányi yìdiǎn ma? Can you make it cheaper?

27. 不要辣

Bú yào là
No spicy food. Important for many international students.

28. 我不能吃……

29. 买单

Mǎidān
Bill, please. Used in restaurants.

6. Shopping and Payments

30. 可以刷卡吗？

Kěyǐ shuākǎ ma? Can I pay by card?

31. 可以用支付宝吗？

Kěyǐ yòng Zhīfùbǎo ma? Can I use Alipay?

32. 可以用微信支付吗？

Kěyǐ yòng Wēixìn zhīfù ma? Can I use WeChat Pay?

33. 我没有现金

Wǒ méiyǒu xiànjīn
I don’t have cash.

34. 给我一个袋子

Gěi wǒ yí ge dàizi
Give me a bag, please.

7. Transportation

35. 地铁站在哪里？

Dìtiě zhàn zài nǎlǐ? Where is the subway station?

36. 我要去……

37. 这个车去哪里？

Zhège chē qù nǎlǐ? Where does this bus/train go?

38. 下一站是什么？

Xià yí zhàn shì shénme? What is the next stop?

39. 我要下车

Wǒ yào xià chē
I want to get off.

8. Accommodation

40. 我的房间在哪里？

Wǒ de fángjiān zài nǎlǐ? Where is my room?

41. 房间有问题

Fángjiān yǒu wèntí
There is a problem with the room.

42. 热水在哪里？

Rèshuǐ zài nǎlǐ? Where is hot water?

43. WiFi密码是多少？

WiFi mìmǎ shì duōshao? What is the WiFi password?

9. Emergency and Important Situations

44. 帮帮我

Bāngbang wǒ
Help me.

45. 我迷路了

Wǒ mílù le
I am lost.

46. 我生病了

Wǒ shēngbìng le
I am sick.

47. 我要去医院

Wǒ yào qù yīyuàn
I need to go to the hospital.

48. 请帮我叫出租车

Qǐng bāng wǒ jiào chūzūchē
Please help me call a taxi.

10. Useful Everyday Expressions

49. 没问题

Méi wèntí
No problem.

50. 我正在学习中文

Wǒ zhèngzài xuéxí Zhōngwén
I am learning Chinese. This phrase is especially useful because native speakers are usually more patient when they know you are learning Chinese.

How to Practice These Phrases

1. Learn by Situation

Do not memorize isolated sentences. Group them:

• Restaurant phrases
• Campus phrases
• Transportation phrases
• Emergency phrases

2. Speak Out Loud

Chinese pronunciation depends on:

• Tones
• Rhythm
• Listening ability

Reading silently is not enough.

3. Use Them Immediately

After arriving in China, try using Chinese every day: Order food: 我要这个。 Ask directions: 地铁站在哪里？ Small conversations build confidence quickly.

Free Chinese Phrase Learning Method

A practical learning cycle:

Day 1

Learn 5 phrases.

Day 2

Review yesterday’s phrases.

Day 3

Use them in real situations.

Day 7

Review everything. Consistency is more important than studying many phrases at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to speak Chinese before coming to China?

No. Many international students arrive with zero Chinese knowledge. However, learning basic phrases before arrival makes daily life much easier.

How many Chinese words do I need for daily life?

Around 500–1,000 common words will carry you through many everyday situations — a rule of thumb reported by teachers, not an official threshold. For comparison, the HSK 2.0 beginner levels cover 150 words (HSK 1) and 300 words (HSK 2), so 500–1,000 words sits roughly between HSK 2 and HSK 3.

Are Chinese people friendly to foreigners speaking Chinese?

Generally, many Chinese people appreciate foreigners making an effort to speak Chinese. Even simple phrases can create positive interactions.

Final Thoughts

You do not need perfect Chinese to start living in China. A few practical phrases can help you:

• Make friends
• Solve daily problems
• Feel more confident
• Adapt faster

Start with these 50 expressions, practice every day, and gradually expand your Chinese vocabulary. Your Chinese learning journey begins with simple conversations.

Recommended tools: Pleco — the dictionary app most students in China rely on (a commercial product, not an official source). For the official reference behind the vocabulary and grading used in Chinese tests, see the Chinese Test Service Network and the Center for Language Education and Cooperation.

Sources

• Chinese Test Service Network (CTI) — official HSK and HSKK syllabi and graded word lists (accessed 2026-09)
• Center for Language Education and Cooperation — official Chinese language learning resources and standards (accessed 2026-09)
• Pleco — the dictionary app most students in China rely on — a commercial product, not an official source (accessed 2026-09)

Disclaimer: This is a practical learning guide, not an official standard. Language norms and syllabi are revised periodically. Always confirm with the relevant authority, institution or official source before you rely on it.