A few key Chinese phrases can make your road trip across China much easier — from refueling and checking into hotels to asking for directions or ordering food. Here’s a compact guide with useful words and phrases to help you along the way.

Basic Greetings

  • 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) – Hello

  • 谢谢 (Xièxiè) – Thank you

  • 对不起 (Duìbùqǐ) – Sorry / Excuse me

  • 没关系 (Méi guānxi) – It’s okay / No problem

  • 再见 (Zàijiàn) – Goodbye

  • 请问 (Qǐng wèn) – May I ask…

On the Road & Logistics

  • 租车 (Zū chē) – Rent a car

  • 取车 (Qǔ chē) – Pick up the car

  • 还车 (Huán chē) – Return the car

  • 加油 (Jiā yóu) – Refuel

  • 充电 (Chōng diàn) – Charge (for EVs)

  • 停车 (Tíng chē) – Park

  • 收费站 (Shōu fèi zhàn) – Toll station

  • 高速公路 (Gāo sù gōng lù) – Highway

  • 买票 (Mǎi piào) – Buy a ticket

Hotels & Check-In

  • 入住 (Rù zhù) – Check in

  • 退房 (Tuì fáng) – Check out

  • 预订 (Yù dìng) – Reservation / Booking

  • 护照 (Hù zhào) – Passport

  • 房卡 (Fáng kǎ) – Room key

Asking for Directions

  • 怎么走？(Zěnme zǒu?) – How do I get there?

  • 在哪里？(Zài nǎ lǐ?) – Where is it?

  • 左转 (Zuǒ zhuǎn) – Turn left

  • 右转 (Yòu zhuǎn) – Turn right

  • 直走 (Zhí zǒu) – Go straight

  • 停一下 (Tíng yī xià) – Stop for a moment

Eating & Shopping

  • 多少钱？(Duō shǎo qián?) – How much is it?

  • 太贵了！(Tài guì le!) – Too expensive!

  • 便宜一点可以吗？(Pián yí yī diǎn kě yǐ ma?) – Can it be cheaper?

  • 现在营业吗？(Xiàn zài yíng yè ma?) – Are you open now?

  • 有什么菜推荐？(Yǒu shénme cài tuījiàn?) – Any dishes you recommend?

  • 不要辣 (Bú yào là) – No spicy

  • 我要这个 (Wǒ yào zhè gè) – I’ll take this one

  • 买单 (Mǎi dān) – The bill, please

Emergencies & Help

  • 帮帮我！(Bāng bāng wǒ!) – Help me!

  • 发生事故了 (Fāshēng shìgù le) – There’s been a traffic accident

  • 医院 (Yī yuàn) – Hospital 

  • 警察 (Jǐng chá) – Police

  • 报警 (Bào jǐng) – Call the police

  • 打电话 (Dǎ diàn huà) – Make a phone call

Don’t worry if you only know a few words — locals will love that you’re trying! Use Google Translate to practice pronunciation (just tap the speaker icon and repeat), and mix those phrases with a smile. You’ll be amazed how much smoother — and friendlier — your trip across China becomes.