Dive into the vibrant world of Mandarin Chinese, a language that's more than just a set of sounds and symbols—it's your VIP pass to a culture that's as ancient as it is booming. If you’re itching to say more than just 你好 (nǐ hǎo, hello) at your local dim sum spot, or want to impress with more than 谢谢 (xiè xie, thank you) at the end of a business meeting, you’re in the right place.

In this quick guide, you'll snag the essential phrases and sentences to make friends, shop till you drop, and chow down like a local. And let's not forget: saying 干杯 (gān bēi, cheers) in Mandarin is bound to make you the most popular person at the dinner table. So, loosen up, get ready to roll your tones, and let's turn your Mandarin from "meh" to 牛 (niú, awesome) - yes that's technically the word for cow, but it's also slang for awesome! Let's get this language party started!

Greetings and Goodbyes - free video lesson 

Hello - 你好 (nǐ hǎo)

Goodbye - 再见 (zài jiàn)

Good morning - 早 (zǎo) or 早上好 (zǎo shàng hǎo)

See you tomorrow - 明天见 (míng tiān jiàn)

Let's keep in touch over the phone - 咱们电话联系 (zán men diàn huà lián xì)

Introducing Yourself - free video lesson 

Nice to meet you - 很高兴认识你 (hěn gāo xìng rèn shi nǐ)

Hello, my name is... - 你好，我的名字是... (nǐ hǎo, wǒ de míng zì shì...)

I come from... - 我来自... (wǒ lái zì...)

I am learning Chinese - 我在学习中文 (wǒ zài xué xí zhōng wén)

My hobby is... - 我的爱好是... (wǒ de ài hào shì...)

I work at... - 我在...工作 (wǒ zài ... gōng zuò)

I like Chinese culture - 我喜欢中国文化 (wǒ xǐ huān zhōng guó wén huà)

I have been learning Chinese for... years - 我学中文已经...年了 (wǒ xué zhōng wén yǐ jīng ... nián le)

My Chinese is not very good yet, please give me your guidance. - 我的中文还不太好，请多指教。 - (wǒ de zhōng wén hái bú tài hǎo, qǐng duō zhǐ jiào)

I want to learn more about the local culture and customs. - 我想了解更多的本地文化和习惯。 (wǒ xiǎng liǎo jiě gèng duō de běn dì wén huà hé xí guàn)

Dining Out

Please get this for me - 请给我来个这个 (qǐng gěi wǒ lái ge zhèi ge)

How much is this? - 这个多少钱 (zhèi ge duō shǎo qián)

Please bring me the menu - 麻烦给我拿下菜单 (má fán gěi wǒ ná xia cài dān)

Check, please - 买单 (mǎi dān)

This is delicious - 这个很好吃 (zhèi ge hěn hǎo chī)

I am allergic to... - 我对...过敏 (wǒ duì ... guò mǐn)

Please don’t add MSG - 请不要放味精 (qǐng bú yào fàng wèi jīng)

What is this made of? - 这个是什么做的？(zhèi ge shì shén me zuò de)

Do you have a vegetarian menu? - 你们有没有素食菜单？(nǐ men yǒu méi yǒu sù shí cài dān)

Please bring me a bottle of water - 请给我来一瓶水 (qǐng gěi wǒ lái yì píng shuǐ)

Waiter / Waitress - 服务员 (fú wù yuán)

Can I get this to go? - 我可以打包吗 (wǒ kě yǐ dǎ bāo ma)

Making Friends

Are you a local? - 请问您是本地人吗 (qǐng wèn nín shì běn dì rén ma)

What do you do for work? - 您是做什么工作的？(nín shì zuò shén me gōng zuò de)

My name is... I'm from... - 我叫...我是从...来的 (wǒ jiào ... wǒ shì cóng ... lái de)

Do you mind adding WeChat? - 您方便加一下微信吗 (nín fāng biàn jiā yí xià wēi xìn ma)

Let’s go for a drink when you're free - 有空我们去喝一杯 (yǒu kòng wǒ men qù hē yì bēi)

Shopping Spree

Too expensive - 太贵了 (tài guì le)

Can it be cheaper? - 便宜点可以吗？(pián yí diǎn kě yǐ ma)

Can I try this on? - 我可以试一下吗？(wǒ kě yǐ shì yī xià ma)

I like this color - 我喜欢这个颜色 (wǒ xǐ huān zhèi ge yán sè)

Can I use a credit card? - 能用信用卡吗？(néng yòng xìn yòng kǎ ma)

Asking for Directions

Excuse me, where is the bathroom? - 请问，洗手间在哪里？(qǐng wèn, xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ)

Is this the way to...? - 这是去...的路吗？(zhè shì qù ... de lù ma)

Where is the nearest subway station? - 最近的地铁站在哪里？(zuì jìn de dì tiě zhàn zài nǎ lǐ)

I’m lost, can you help me? - 我迷路了，你能帮我吗？(wǒ mí lù le, nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma)

How do I get to...? - ...怎么走？(... zěn me zǒu)

Asking for Help

Please help me - 请帮我一下(qǐng bāng wǒ yí xià)

I need a doctor - 我需要医生(wǒ xū yào yī shēng)

Can you help me call a taxi? - 能帮我叫出租车吗？(néng bāng wǒ jiào chū zū chē ma)

I don’t understand, could you say that again? - 我不懂，你能再说一遍吗？(wǒ bù dǒng, nǐ néng zài shuō yí biàn ma)

Please speak a bit more slowly - 请慢点儿说 (qǐng màn diǎnr shuō)

At the Hotel

I would like to book a room - 我要预订一个房间 (wǒ yào yù dìng yí gè fáng jiān)

Can I see the room? - 我可以看一下房间吗？(wǒ kě yǐ kàn yí xià fáng jiān ma)

What time is breakfast? - 早餐几点开始？(zǎo cān jǐ diǎn kāi shǐ)

What time is check-out? - 退房时间是几点？(tuì fáng shí jiān shì jǐ diǎn)

Please wake me up tomorrow morning at 7AM - 请明天早上七点叫我 (qǐng míng tiān zǎo shang qī diǎn jiào wǒ)

Public Transportation

Does this bus/train go to the downtown? - 这辆车去市中心吗？(zhè liàng chē qù shì zhōng xīn ma)

Which stop should I get off at? - 我该在哪一站下车？(wǒ gāi zài nǎ yí zhàn xià chē)

Excuse me, is this my seat? - 请问这是我的座位吗？(qǐng wèn zhè shì wǒ de zuò wèi ma)

Where can I buy a ticket? - 车票在哪里买？(chē piào zài nǎ lǐ mǎi)

What is the next stop? - 下一站是什么？(xià yí zhàn shì shén me)

Expressing Emergencies

Help! - 救命！(jiù mìng)

I've had something stolen from me - 我被偷了 (wǒ bèi tōu le)

I’ve lost my bag - 我的包丢了 (wǒ de bāo diū le)

We hope you'll find these very commonly used sentences or phrases helpful! Mastering the basics of Mandarin can open doors to new cultures, friendships, and opportunities. Whether you're prepping for a trip, looking to connect with friends or family, or just eager to learn a language spoken by over a billion people worldwide, the key is to start with a strong foundation.

That's where Yoyo Chinese comes in. With our comprehensive course structure - starting with our free pinyin lessons - you'll not only get these phrases down but also gain a deeper understanding of Mandarin's rhythms and sounds. Our lessons are designed to make learning accessible, enjoyable, and practical, with cultural insights and tips sprinkled throughout to keep you engaged.

Don't just learn Chinese; immerse yourself in it with Yoyo Chinese! SIGN UP today for free, and take the first step on your Mandarin learning journey. It's an investment in a skill that will stay with you for a lifetime, and we can't wait to be a part of that journey.

Join us, and let's say "你好" (nǐ hǎo) to a whole new world together!