Essential Chinese phrases with pinyin: directions, doctors, payment

2026-11-10 Culture & Customs

You do not need to speak Chinese before arriving. Keep these everyday phrases on your phone or print a card and most daily situations become manageable.

1. Directions and addresses

Chinese	Pinyin	English
请问地铁站在哪里？	Qǐngwèn dìtiězhàn zài nǎlǐ?	Where is the metro station?
我要去这个地址	Wǒ yào qù zhège dìzhǐ	I want to go to this address
请在这里停	Qǐng zài zhèlǐ tíng	Please stop here
我不懂中文，请写下来	Wǒ bù dǒng Zhōngwén, qǐng xiě xiàlái	I don't understand Chinese, please write it down

2. At the doctor

Chinese	Pinyin	English
我要挂号	Wǒ yào guàhào	I need to register for an appointment
我发烧 / 我肚子疼	Wǒ fāshāo / Wǒ dùzi téng	I have a fever / a stomach ache
我对青霉素过敏	Wǒ duì qīngméisù guòmǐn	I am allergic to penicillin
我在吃这个药	Wǒ zài chī zhège yào	I take this medicine
请给我发票和病历	Qǐng gěi wǒ fāpiào hé bìnglì	Please give me the invoice and medical record

3. Shopping, payment and paperwork

Chinese	Pinyin	English
多少钱？	Duōshǎo qián?	How much is it?
可以刷卡 / 扫码吗？	Kěyǐ shuākǎ / sǎomǎ ma?	Can I pay by card / QR code?
请给我收据	Qǐng gěi wǒ shōujù	Please give me a receipt
我需要办理住宿登记	Wǒ xūyào bànlǐ zhùsù dēngjì	I need to register my accommodation
请帮我叫警察 / 救护车	Qǐng bāng wǒ jiào jǐngchá / jiùhùchē	Please call the police / an ambulance for me

4. Small tricks that help

Keep your Chinese address, hospital name and medicine names at the top of your notes app — available even without network.
When using a translation app, show the large Chinese text rather than reading pinyin aloud.
Show your passport and a card with your Chinese address when calling the police or visiting a hospital.
For emergency numbers and phrases, see our Emergency help in China guide.

Everyday language reference, not official policy content. For documents and procedures, follow the latest official rules.

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