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 city, neighbourhood and place on this site has a **Show in Chinese** button that fills the screen with the name and address, which is what it is for.
Ten phrases
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 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) |
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
Market sellers count on one hand. Six is thumb and little finger extended, eight is thumb and index finger, ten is a fist. If a price is ambiguous, type it on your phone and show them.
Was this still accurate when you used it?
Change history
- 2026-09 — First published.