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China Unhurried

Getting by in Chinese

How much language you need, the translation tools that work, and the handful of phrases worth learning.

Verified Sept 2026 2 min read Updated 1 time

How much you need

Less than you fear in the big cities, more than you expect everywhere else. Signs, menus at chains and metro announcements are bilingual. Taxi drivers, small restaurants and shops are not. The gap is closed by two things: a translation app, and having the Chinese written down.

Translation tools

  • Apple Translate with the Chinese pack downloaded works offline, including the camera mode for menus.
  • Alipay has a translator built in, including conversation mode, and it works on a Chinese network.
  • Google Translate only works with roaming data or a VPN.
  • Pleco is the dictionary serious learners use; the free version is enough for looking up a menu.

Point the camera at a menu, or hold the phone between you and the other person and take turns. People are patient with it; they use the same tools with you.

Written beats spoken
Tones are hard and a mispronounced place name goes nowhere. Show the characters instead. Every place page on this site has a **Show in Chinese** card that fills the screen with the name and address, which is what it is for.

Ten phrases

ChinesePinyinMeaning
你好nǐ hǎo Hello
谢谢xièxie Thank you
不要bú yào I don’t want it (to hawkers)
这个zhège This one (pointing)
多少钱duōshao qián How much?
买单mǎidān The bill, please
不辣bú là Not spicy
微辣wēi là Mildly spicy
厕所在哪cèsuǒ zài nǎ Where is the toilet?
扫我sǎo wǒ Scan me (paying)

AI-generated Mandarin pronunciation.

Etiquette that matters

  • Queues are respected at stations and banks, less so at bus stops.
  • Tipping is not expected anywhere. Leave the change.
  • Cards and gifts are given and received with two hands.
  • Chopsticks should not be stuck upright in rice. Rest them on the holder or the bowl edge.
  • Loudness in restaurants is normal, not rude.
  • Photographs of people are fine if you ask; of military or police sites, not.

Numbers with the hands

These gestures cover numbers one to ten. Most use one hand; the version of ten shown here uses both index fingers. Notice the direction as well as which fingers are extended, especially for eight.

1: Index finger up; all other fingers folded.
1一yī

Index finger up; all other fingers folded.

2: Index and middle fingers up in a V.
2二èr

Index and middle fingers up in a V.

3: Index, middle and ring fingers up; thumb holds the little finger down.
3三sān

Index, middle and ring fingers up; thumb holds the little finger down.

4: Four fingers up; thumb folded across the palm.
4四sì

Four fingers up; thumb folded across the palm.

5: Open palm, with all five fingers spread.
5五wǔ

Open palm, with all five fingers spread.

6: Thumb and little finger out; the other three fingers folded.
6六liù

Thumb and little finger out; the other three fingers folded.

7: Thumb, index and middle fingertips meet in an upward pinch.
7七qī

Thumb, index and middle fingertips meet in an upward pinch.

8: Index points out to the side at a gentle upward angle; thumb extended.
8八bā

Index points out to the side at a gentle upward angle; thumb extended.

9: Raise the index finger and bend it into a hook; keep the others folded.
9九jiǔ

Raise the index finger and bend it into a hook; keep the others folded.

10: Cross the index fingers of both hands: one upright, the other horizontal, like 十.
10十shí

Cross the index fingers of both hands: one upright, the other horizontal, like 十.

Common mainland gestures from 1 to 10. Eight is shown sideways; ten uses two crossed index fingers. Regional variations exist. Confirm a price by typing the number on your phone. Gesture reference: OpenLearn.

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Change history
  • 2026-09 — First published.