Beginner course – Lesson 5 of 15
Basic Mandarin Phrases for Beginners
These are the first phrases I teach every beginner. Each one shows the Chinese characters, the pinyin to help you say it, and the English meaning.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 你好 | nǐ hǎo | Hello |
| 您好 | nín hǎo | Hello (polite) |
| 谢谢 | xièxie | Thank you |
| 不客气 | bú kèqi | You're welcome |
| 对不起 | duìbuqǐ | Sorry |
| 没关系 | méi guānxi | It's OK / Never mind |
| 再见 | zàijiàn | Goodbye |
| 请 | qǐng | Please |
| 是 | shì | Yes (it is) |
| 不是 | bú shì | No (it is not) |
| 我叫… | wǒ jiào… | My name is… |
| 你叫什么名字？ | nǐ jiào shénme míngzi? | What is your name? |
| 我听不懂 | wǒ tīng bù dǒng | I don't understand |
| 请再说一遍 | qǐng zài shuō yí biàn | Please say that again |
| 多少钱？ | duōshao qián? | How much is it? |
| 厕所在哪里？ | cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ? | Where is the toilet? |
你好
nǐ hǎo
Hello
您好
nín hǎo
Hello (polite)
谢谢
xièxie
Thank you
不客气
bú kèqi
You're welcome
对不起
duìbuqǐ
Sorry
没关系
méi guānxi
It's OK / Never mind
再见
zàijiàn
Goodbye
请
qǐng
Please
是
shì
Yes (it is)
不是
bú shì
No (it is not)
我叫…
wǒ jiào…
My name is…
你叫什么名字？
nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?
What is your name?
我听不懂
wǒ tīng bù dǒng
I don't understand
请再说一遍
qǐng zài shuō yí biàn
Please say that again
多少钱？
duōshao qián?
How much is it?
厕所在哪里？
cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the toilet?
More beginner guides
How to Say Hello and Thank You in Mandarin
Everyday and polite ways to say hello and thank you.
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Mandarin Tones Explained
The four tones and the neutral tone, with simple pitch shapes.
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Numbers 1 to 10 in Mandarin
Count from 1 to 10, then build numbers up to 99.
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Chinese New Year Greetings in Mandarin
The greetings you will hear everywhere during Spring Festival.
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Pinyin Explained for Beginners
How Mandarin is written in letters, and the sounds that catch English speakers out.
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How to Introduce Yourself in Mandarin
Say your name, where you live and what you do.
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Numbers to 100 and Money in Mandarin
Count to 100, ask prices and talk about money.
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Days of the Week and Dates in Mandarin
Days, months and how to say the date.
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Telling the Time in Mandarin
Ask the time, and say hours, minutes and times of day.
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Family Members in Mandarin
Parents, siblings, children and grandparents.
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Question Words in Mandarin
Ask what, who, where, when, why and how.
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How to Order Food in Mandarin
Order dishes and drinks, and ask for the bill.
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Shopping Phrases in Mandarin
Ask prices, sizes and colours, and pay.
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Mandarin Travel Phrases for Beginners
Directions, transport, hotels and asking for help.
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Measure Words in Mandarin
The small words between numbers and nouns.
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Mandarin vs Cantonese: What Is the Difference?
Where each is spoken, how they differ, and which to learn first.
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Simplified vs Traditional Chinese Characters
Where each is used, how they differ, and which to learn.
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How Long Does It Take to Learn Mandarin?
Realistic milestones for English speakers, and how to progress faster.
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