Daily Conversation Phrases 200
日常会话
The Chinese phrases people actually say every day, organized by scene — greetings, small talk, feelings, meals and plans — each with pinyin, a one-line usage note and native teacher audio.
Greetings & Goodbyes 20
The openers and closers of every Chinese conversation. Get these right and every exchange starts and ends warmly — they are also the phrases you will say most often, every single day.
The all-purpose hello — safe with anyone, at any time of day.
2 您好 Nín hǎo Hello (polite)
您 is the respectful "you" — use with elders, customers and strangers you want to honor.
Often shortened to just 早 among friends and colleagues.
A greeting when arriving in the evening — not a goodbye.
Only for actually going to bed — texted every night between couples and families.
Textbook-famous but used less than in English — 最近怎么样 sounds more natural.
The set answer to 你好吗 — 很 here is just glue, not "very."
Bounce any question back with 呢 — the easiest follow-up in Chinese.
The natural "how are you" between people who already know each other.
10 还不错 Hái búcuò Not bad
还 softens it to "pretty good, actually" — a very common humble answer.
11 马马虎虎 Mǎmǎhǔhǔ So-so
Literally "horse horse tiger tiger" — a fun idiom everyone loves hearing learners use.
12 好久不见 Hǎojiǔ bújiàn Long time no see
Yes — the English phrase is a direct loan from this Chinese one.
Literally "see again." The standard goodbye in any situation.
14 拜拜 Bàibài Bye-bye
Borrowed from English — the casual goodbye you'll hear most among younger people.
Swap in any time word before 见: 下周见 (see you next week).
16 回头见 Huítóu jiàn See you later
Literally "see you when I turn my head" — later the same day.
17 一会儿见 Yíhuìr jiàn See you in a bit
For partings of minutes, not hours — like "see you shortly."
18 欢迎 Huānyíng Welcome
Welcoming someone to your home, city or group.
19 请进 Qǐng jìn Come in
What you say when opening the door — 请 makes it politely inviting.
20 请坐 Qǐng zuò Have a seat
The host's phrase — offering a chair to any guest.
Thanks, Sorry & Politeness 19
Chinese politeness runs on a few workhorse phrases. Note the difference between a real apology (对不起) and a light social "excuse me" (不好意思) — mixing them up sounds overly dramatic.
The word you'll say most in China. Doubling up (谢谢谢谢) adds warmth.
For real gratitude — a favor done, not just a door held.
Literally "don't be a guest" — the standard reply to 谢谢.
A genuine apology for real wrongs — too heavy for bumping someone's elbow.
The everyday "oops, sorry" — also starts polite requests to strangers.
6 没关系 Méi guānxi It's okay / never mind
The gracious reply to any apology — "it doesn't matter."
7 没事儿 Méi shìr It's nothing / I'm fine
Casual northern flavor with the 儿 — brushes off apologies and worries alike.
Put it before any request or invitation: 请坐, 请进, 请说.
9 请问 Qǐngwèn Excuse me, may I ask…
The polite opener before asking a stranger anything — directions, prices, names.
10 麻烦你了 Máfan nǐ le Sorry to trouble you
Said when someone does something for you — gratitude with built-in humility.
No English equivalent — acknowledges someone's effort. Beloved by coworkers everywhere.
12 打扰一下 Dǎrǎo yíxià Excuse me (interrupting)
Before interrupting someone busy — literally "let me disturb you a moment."
13 借过一下 Jièguò yíxià Excuse me (passing through)
Squeezing through a crowd — literally "lend me a pass."
14 拜托了 Bàituō le Please — I'm counting on you
Entrusting something important to someone, with feeling.
15 别客气 Bié kèqi Don't be so polite
Also "make yourself at home" — hosts say it constantly.
16 帮我一下 Bāng wǒ yíxià Give me a hand
Casual help request between people who know each other.
17 你能帮我吗？ Nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma Can you help me?
The full polite version — works with strangers too.
18 需要帮忙吗？ Xūyào bāngmáng ma Do you need help?
Offering help — what you say when someone looks lost or overloaded.
19 谢谢你的帮助 Xièxie nǐ de bāngzhù Thanks for your help
A complete-sentence thanks — good for texts and goodbyes after being helped.
Yes, No & Agreeing 18
Chinese has no single word for "yes" or "no" — you answer with the verb or one of these little response words. Master this set and you can keep any conversation moving.
Confirms identity or facts — the closest thing Chinese has to a plain "yes."
The matching "no" for 是-questions — softer than a bare 不.
3 对 Duì Right / correct
The most common agreement word in real speech — often doubled: 对对对.
Flags a mistake — "that's not right."
The standard acknowledgment — every WeChat chat is full of it.
6 行 Xíng Sure / that works
One syllable of approval — casual and very native-sounding.
7 不行 Bùxíng No / that won't work
A firm no — refusing permission or possibility.
8 可以 Kěyǐ Can / may / that's fine
Grants permission or says something's acceptable — the polite middle ground.
9 当然 Dāngrán Of course
Emphatic agreement — often 当然可以 (of course you can).
10 没问题 Méi wèntí No problem
Agreeing to a request cheerfully — "consider it done."
11 我同意 wǒ tóngyì I agree
Slightly formal agreement — meetings, discussions, debates.
12 我不同意 wǒ bú tóngyì I disagree
Direct but acceptable — soften with 我觉得 (I feel) before it.
13 你说得对 nǐ shuō de duì You're right
Conceding a point graciously — 得 marks how someone did something.
14 有道理 yǒu dàoli That makes sense
Literally "has logic" — acknowledging a good point without full surrender.
15 不一定 bú yídìng Not necessarily
The polite pushback — questions an assumption without saying "wrong."
16 可能吧 kěnéng ba Maybe
吧 adds a shrug — "I suppose it's possible."
17 应该是 yīnggāi shì Probably / should be
Confident-ish guessing — "that should be the case."
18 差不多 chàbuduō More or less
A national catchphrase — close enough, almost done, roughly right.
Asking Questions 17
The question words you will reach for constantly: what, where, when, why, how much. Most drop into the sentence right where the answer would go — no word-order gymnastics needed.
1 这是什么？ Zhè shì shénme What is this?
Point and ask — the fastest vocabulary builder there is.
2 那是什么？ Nà shì shénme What is that?
这 = this (near you), 那 = that (over there).
3 为什么？ Wèishénme Why?
Standalone or in a sentence — answers usually start with 因为 (because).
4 什么时候？ Shénme shíhou When?
Literally "what time" — asks about dates and times of events.
5 在哪里？ Zài nǎlǐ Where?
Attach to anything: 车站在哪里？ (Where's the station?)
6 谁？ Shéi Who?
Pronounced shéi in conversation — 是谁？ = "who is it?"
7 怎么了？ Zěnme le What's wrong?
Checking on someone who looks off — "what happened?"
8 怎么办？ Zěnme bàn What should we do?
The go-to phrase when trouble strikes — half question, half sigh.
9 你在干什么？ Nǐ zài gàn shénme What are you doing?
干 is the casual "do" — a constant text-message opener.
10 现在几点？ Xiànzài jǐ diǎn What time is it now?
几 asks for numbers — answers come as 三点 (3 o'clock) etc.
11 今天星期几？ Jīntiān xīngqī jǐ What day is it today?
Weekdays are numbered in Chinese: 星期一 Monday … 星期天 Sunday.
12 今天几号？ Jīntiān jǐ hào What's the date today?
号 = date of the month; answer like 五号 (the 5th).
13 你有时间吗？ Nǐ yǒu shíjiān ma Do you have time?
The lead-in before asking a favor or suggesting plans.
THE meeting-up text message — 儿 gives it a northern ring.
15 什么意思？ Shénme yìsi What does it mean?
Ask about words, signs, or someone's cryptic remark.
16 真的吗？ Zhēn de ma Really?
The universal surprised reaction — often just 真的？！
17 怎么样？ zěnme yàng How is it? / How about it?
Asks for opinions or proposes plans: 明天怎么样？ (How about tomorrow?)
When You Don't Understand 13
Your survival kit as a learner. Chinese speakers are famously patient with anyone who tries — one of these phrases plus a smile rescues almost any conversation.
会 = learned ability. Handy, but trying Chinese first wins hearts.
2 我会说一点中文 wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn zhōngwén I speak a little Chinese
Say this and watch the compliments pour in — 一点 = a little.
Specifically "I hear but can't understand" — the honest learner's phrase.
4 我没听清 wǒ méi tīng qīng I didn't catch that
Not about ability — you just didn't hear clearly. Politer in practice.
5 请再说一遍 qǐng zài shuō yí biàn Please say it again
遍 counts repetitions — the essential classroom and street phrase.
6 请说慢一点 qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn Please speak more slowly
Locals speak fast — this plus a smile fixes 90% of conversations.
7 这个用中文怎么说？ zhège yòng zhōngwén zěnme shuō How do you say this in Chinese?
Point at anything and learn its name — your portable dictionary.
The 了 marks the click of understanding — "ah, NOW I get it."
9 我知道 wǒ zhīdào I know
Knowing facts. Careful: repeated 知道知道 can sound dismissive.
10 我不知道 wǒ bù zhīdào I don't know
The honest answer — completely neutral, use freely.
11 我忘了 wǒ wàngle I forgot
Confessing a slipped mind — 了 marks the change of state.
12 让我想想 ràng wǒ xiǎngxiang Let me think
Doubling 想 softens it — buys you a polite pause.
Casual "huh?" — with rising tone it can sound shocked, mind the delivery.
Introducing Yourself 12
First-meeting essentials: names, hometowns, work. Chinese small talk gets personal faster than English — questions about age or family are friendly interest, not rudeness.
叫 = "to be called." The universal name question.
Follow with your name — Chinese speakers often offer a nickname too.
3 认识你很高兴 rènshi nǐ hěn gāoxìng Nice to meet you
Said at first meetings, often with a handshake — order can flip: 很高兴认识你.
4 你是哪国人？ nǐ shì nǎ guórén What country are you from?
哪国 = which country. Expect this constantly as a foreigner.
5 我是美国人 wǒ shì Měiguórén I'm American
Swap the country: 英国人 British, 加拿大人 Canadian, 日本人 Japanese.
6 你多大了？ nǐ duō dà le How old are you?
Normal small talk in China, not rude — for elders use 您多大年纪.
7 你住在哪里？ nǐ zhù zài nǎlǐ Where do you live?
Neighborhood chat — answer with a city or district, not your address.
8 你做什么工作？ nǐ zuò shénme gōngzuò What do you do for work?
Standard getting-to-know-you — 工作 covers job and career.
9 我在学中文 wǒ zài xué Zhōngwén I'm learning Chinese
在 marks ongoing action — instantly earns encouragement from locals.
10 这是我朋友 zhè shì wǒ péngyou This is my friend
The simple introduction formula: 这是我 + person.
11 怎么称呼您？ zěnme chēnghu nín How should I address you?
Extra-polite way to ask a name — great with elders and clients.
12 常联系 cháng liánxì Keep in touch
The warm goodbye after making a new friend — often said exchanging WeChats.
Feelings & Reactions 20
Quick, natural reactions — the difference between sounding like a textbook and sounding like a person. Sprinkle these into conversation and native speakers will light up.
1 太好了 tài hǎo le Great!
太…了 wraps any adjective in enthusiasm — your default happy reaction.
2 太棒了 tài bàng le Awesome!
棒 (literally "stick") means great — a notch more excited than 太好了.
3 真厉害 zhēn lìhai Impressive!
Praise for skill — the spoken equivalent of "you're amazing." Also just 厉害!
4 好可爱 hǎo kě'ài So cute
For babies, pets, and anything adorable — 好 + adjective = "so ___."
5 好漂亮 hǎo piàoliang So beautiful
Compliments things and people alike — scenery, dresses, photos.
6 真有意思 zhēn yǒu yìsi Really interesting / fun
有意思 = "has meaning" → interesting. A warm, common compliment.
7 好玩儿 hǎo wánr Fun
Places and activities that are fun — 北京好玩儿吗？ (Is Beijing fun?)
8 无聊 wúliáo Boring
Describes boring things AND being bored: 我好无聊 (I'm so bored).
9 我喜欢 wǒ xǐhuān I like it
Add the thing after it, or say it alone about what's in front of you.
10 我不喜欢 wǒ bù xǐhuān I don't like it
Direct but fine — Chinese speakers state preferences plainly.
Weightier than in English — many express love through actions instead.
想 = think of → miss. The staple of long-distance texts.
13 你真好 nǐ zhēn hǎo You're so kind
Thanking someone's character, not just their act — warmer than 谢谢.
14 我很开心 wǒ hěn kāixīn I'm very happy
开心 = "open heart" — everyday happiness.
15 我很难过 wǒ hěn nánguò I'm very sad
难过 = "hard to pass" — how sadness feels in Chinese.
16 太可惜了 tài kěxī le What a pity
For missed chances and near-misses — "such a shame."
17 真遗憾 zhēn yíhàn That's a shame
A formal-leaning regret — condolences and serious disappointments.
18 吓我一跳 xià wǒ yí tiào You startled me!
Literally "scared me into a jump" — said with a hand on the chest.
19 真倒霉 zhēn dǎoméi What bad luck
倒霉 = down on luck — grumble it when the day goes wrong.
20 原来如此 Yuánlái rúcǐ So that's how it is
The "aha, now I see" phrase — clicks when a mystery resolves.
Encouragement & Concern 11
How Chinese speakers look after each other in words: cheering someone on, telling them to rest, reminding them to be careful. Saying these builds warmth fast.
1 别担心 bié dānxīn Don't worry
别 + verb = "don't ___" — the universal comfort formula.
2 放心吧 fàngxīn ba Rest assured
Literally "put your heart down" — trust me, it's handled.
3 别生气 bié shēngqì Don't be angry
生气 = "generate qi" — calming someone down, or pre-apologizing.
4 冷静一点 lěngjìng yìdiǎn Calm down
冷静 = cool and quiet — for heated moments.
5 加油 Jiāyóu You can do it!
Literally "add oil!" — shouted at marathons, exams and life in general.
6 小心 Xiǎoxīn Watch out
Warning word — 小心! (careful!) for wet floors and traffic alike.
7 注意安全 Zhùyì ānquán Stay safe
The caring send-off — parents say it every time you leave.
8 休息一下吧 Xiūxi yíxià ba Take a break
一下 softens any verb into "a little" — rest a little.
9 我累了 Wǒ lèi le I'm tired
The simple end-of-day confession — 累死了 = dead tired.
10 我困了 Wǒ kùn le I'm sleepy
困 is sleepy specifically — different from 累 (tired).
11 保重 Bǎozhòng Take care
A heartfelt goodbye for longer partings — "look after yourself."
Opinions & Decisions 12
Agreeing on where to eat, what to do, who decides — these are the phrases that settle (or dodge) every small decision of daily life. 随便 alone will save you daily.
The famous answer to "what do you want to eat?" — friendly, or a trap.
2 都可以 dōu kěyǐ Either is fine
都 = all/both — genuinely easy-going agreement to any option.
3 看情况 kàn qíngkuàng It depends
"Look at the situation" — the diplomatic non-answer.
4 没办法 méi bànfǎ Nothing can be done
The shrug of Chinese life — resigned acceptance, said daily.
5 算了 suànle Forget it
Dropping the matter — from mild (never mind) to huffy, by tone.
6 好主意 hǎo zhǔyi Good idea
Endorsing a plan — 主意 = idea.
7 你觉得怎么样？ nǐ juéde zěnmeyàng What do you think?
觉得 = feel/think — invites an honest opinion.
8 我觉得很好 wǒ juéde hěn hǎo I think it's good
The standard positive verdict — swap 很好 for any judgment.
9 开玩笑的 kāi wánxiào de Just kidding
开玩笑 = crack a joke — defuses anything you shouldn't have said.
10 别开玩笑了 bié kāi wánxiào le Stop joking
"Be serious" — or disbelief: "you can't be serious!"
11 相信我 Xiāngxìn wǒ Trust me
相信 = believe in — staking your credibility on it.
12 别骗我 Bié piàn wǒ Don't lie to me
骗 = deceive — playful or serious depending on tone.
Meals Together 17
Food is the center of Chinese social life — 你吃饭了吗 even doubles as a greeting. These phrases cover eating with friends, from first bite to fighting over the bill.
1 你吃饭了吗？ nǐ chīfàn le ma Have you eaten?
Doubles as "how are you" — the classic caring Chinese greeting.
The two words that start every meal decision.
3 我渴了 wǒ kě le I'm thirsty
渴 rhymes with 喝 (drink) — nature's mnemonic.
4 好吃 hǎochī Delicious
The highest praise for any dish — 太好吃了 for raves.
5 好喝 hǎohē Tasty (drink)
Drinks get their own word — 吃 for food, 喝 for liquids.
6 我吃饱了 wǒ chībǎo le I'm full
Also the polite refusal of more food — hosts WILL keep serving otherwise.
7 你想吃什么？ nǐ xiǎng chī shénme What do you want to eat?
The most-asked question in China — beware answering 随便.
8 多吃点 duō chī diǎn Eat a little more
Chinese hospitality in three syllables — resistance is futile.
9 一起吃吧 yìqǐ chī ba Let's eat together
吧 turns statements into friendly suggestions.
10 我请客 wǒ qǐngkè My treat
请客 = host a treat. Fighting for the bill is a national sport.
11 AA制吧 AA zhì ba Let's split the bill
AA制 = going Dutch — normal among younger friends now.
12 叫外卖吧 jiào wàimài ba Let's order delivery
外卖 = takeout delivery — a giant part of modern Chinese life.
13 尝尝这个 chángchang zhège Try this
Doubled 尝 = "have a little taste" — table generosity in action.
14 味道怎么样？ wèidao zěnmeyàng How does it taste?
味道 = flavor — the cook is fishing for 好吃!
15 我减肥呢 wǒ jiǎnféi ne I'm on a diet
减肥 = reduce fat — the standard (often futile) dessert defense.
Literally "dry the cup" — traditionally means bottoms-up, pace yourself.
17 我不喝酒 wǒ bù hējiǔ I don't drink
A clear, accepted boundary at banquets — repeat as needed with a smile.
On the Way & Running Late 12
The real-time logistics of meeting up: I'm coming, almost there, stuck in traffic. Essential for texting — these are among the most-typed phrases on WeChat.
1 等一下 děng yíxià Wait a moment
The universal "hang on" — spoken and texted constantly.
2 快点 kuàidiǎn Hurry up
Casual urging — for friends and family, not strangers.
3 慢慢来 mànman lái Take your time
The kind opposite of 快点 — no rush at all.
4 别急 bié jí No rush
急 = anxious/urgent — calms an impatient person.
5 我先走了 wǒ xiān zǒu le I'm off / gotta go
The polite exit line — 先 (first) implies others may stay.
6 我马上来 wǒ mǎshàng lái I'll be right there
马上 = "on horseback" → immediately. Optimistic, like ETA texts everywhere.
7 我来了 wǒ lái le I'm coming
Answering a call or knock — "coming!"
8 我到了 Wǒ dào le I've arrived
The standard arrival text — two characters, infinitely useful.
9 快到了 Kuài dào le Almost there
The most common (and most suspect) location update in China.
10 我在路上 Wǒ zài lù shang I'm on my way
在路上 = on the road — buys a few more minutes.
11 堵车了 Dǔchē le There's a traffic jam
堵 = blocked — the eternal big-city excuse, usually true.
12 迟到了 Chídào le (I'm) late
迟到 = arrive late — pair with 不好意思 for the apology.
Making Plans & Keeping in Touch 12
Setting a plan, postponing it, and staying connected afterwards. In China everything runs on WeChat (微信), so 加个微信吧 is the modern "let's exchange numbers."
The two syllables that end every hangout decision — up, and out.
2 出发吧 Chūfā ba Let's head out
出发 = set off — for trips and departures with intent.
3 改天吧 Gǎitiān ba Let's do it another day
The soft postponement — sometimes sincere, sometimes a gentle no.
4 下次吧 Xià cì ba Maybe next time
Declining this once while leaving the door open.
5 约好了 Yuēhǎo le It's settled then
约 = arrange to meet — the plan is locked in.
6 说定了 Shuōdìng le It's a deal
Stronger than 约好了 — no backing out now.
7 就这样吧 Jiù zhèyàng ba Let's leave it at that
Wraps up discussions and phone calls — "so it's decided."
8 别迟到 Bié chídào Don't be late
The friendly warning when making plans — 别 + verb again.
9 打电话给我 Dǎ diànhuà gěi wǒ Call me
打电话 = "hit a phone call" — 打 is the verb for calls.
10 我给你发微信 Wǒ gěi nǐ fā Wēixìn I'll message you on WeChat
发 = send — WeChat (微信) is how all of China communicates.
11 加个微信吧 Jiā ge Wēixìn ba Let's add each other on WeChat
The modern "can I get your number" — expect a QR code scan.
12 手机没电了 Shǒujī méi diàn le My phone is dead
没电 = no electricity — the 21st century's favorite excuse.
Small Talk & Good Wishes 17
Weather chat, festival greetings and the good wishes that decorate Chinese conversation. Set phrases like 新年快乐 are expected on the right occasion — locals will be delighted you know them.
1 今天天气真好 Jīntiān tiānqì zhēn hǎo The weather is great today
Weather talk works in every language — 真 = really.
2 今天很热 Jīntiān hěn rè It's hot today
Summer small talk — upgrade to 热死了 (dying of heat) for drama.
3 今天很冷 Jīntiān hěn lěng It's cold today
The winter counterpart — 冷死了 when it's bitter.
4 下雨了 Xià yǔ le It's raining
了 announces the new situation — "it's started raining."
5 带伞了吗？ Dài sǎn le ma Did you bring an umbrella?
带 = carry along — everyday caring in question form.
6 挺好的 Tǐng hǎo de Pretty good
挺…的 = quite ___ — the relaxed positive review.
7 还行 hái xíng It's alright
Lukewarm approval — "passable, can't complain."
8 听我说 Tīng wǒ shuō Listen to me
Getting the floor before explaining something — "hear me out."
9 你先请 Nǐ xiān qǐng After you
Doorway courtesy — 先 = first, 请 = please.
10 有空常来 Yǒu kòng cháng lái Come by whenever you're free
The warm host's goodbye — 有空 = have free time.
Doubled as 恭喜恭喜 for weddings, babies, promotions — and New Year.
…快乐 = happy ___ — the pattern behind every festival greeting.
Works for both January 1st and Chinese New Year.
祝 starts every formal wish — "I wish you ___."
15 祝你周末愉快 Zhù nǐ zhōumò yúkuài Have a nice weekend
The Friday farewell — 愉快 = pleasant.
Send-off for anyone heading out to play — 得 links verb and manner.
17 一路平安 Yílù píng'ān Have a safe trip
"Peace the whole road" — the traveler's blessing, said at every departure.
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