Chinese Phrases and Translation Tools for Travelers
Screenshot-ready Chinese language cards for taxis, hotels, food allergies, hospitals, stations, payment trouble, lost passports and politely refusing unwanted sales pressure.
You do not need a language course to travel well in China. You need a few sentences that work when the signal is poor, the room is noisy, or the person helping you is in a hurry.
Set up an offline translation option before flying, keep your hotel address in Chinese as an image, and save the cards below. Show the Chinese first, then use the English line to check what you meant.
Make your phone useful before you need it
Download an offline language pack in the translation app you prefer. Test camera, text, and conversation modes while you still have reliable internet. Translation apps can be excellent for menus and short messages, but they are not a substitute for a human interpreter in a medical or legal emergency.
For rides, enter the destination in Chinese and confirm the vehicle plate in the app before getting in. Shanghai's official visitor guidance notes that DiDi can run in English and shows the driver's vehicle details; the same principle applies anywhere: use the app record, not a message from a stranger.
The screenshot cards
Taxi, hotel, and station
| English | Chinese |
|---|---|
| Please take me to this address. | 请带我去这个地址。 |
| Please use the meter. | 请打表。 |
| Please stop here. | 请在这里停车。 |
| I have a reservation under this name. | 我用这个名字预订了。 |
| I need to register my accommodation. | 我需要办理住宿登记。 |
| Which platform does this train leave from? | 这趟火车从哪个站台出发？ |
| Please help me find the ticket office. | 请帮我找售票处。 |
Food and allergies
| English | Chinese |
|---|---|
| I have a serious allergy to [food]. | 我对**[食物]**严重过敏。 |
| Does this contain [food]? | 这个里面有**[食物]**吗？ |
| Please do not add [food]. | 请不要放**[食物]**。 |
| Is there any meat, fish, or seafood in this? | 这个里面有肉、鱼或海鲜吗？ |
| Not spicy, please. | 请不要辣。 |
For a severe allergy, replace the bracketed word before you travel and carry a clinician-approved card. A translation is a communication aid, not a guarantee against cross-contact. See Eating in China for more specific ordering questions.
Health and help
| English | Chinese |
|---|---|
| I need a doctor. | 我需要看医生。 |
| Please call an ambulance. | 请叫救护车。 |
| I have chest pain. | 我胸口疼。 |
| I am allergic to this medicine. | 我对这个药过敏。 |
| I have lost my passport. | 我的护照丢了。 |
| My phone has no battery. | 我的手机没电了。 |
| My payment did not go through. | 我的付款没有成功。 |
In an emergency, call 120 for an ambulance or 110 for police. Show your passport, hotel address, medical information, and insurer details. If the issue is serious, ask your embassy or consulate for help and do not rely only on a machine translation.
A polite firm no
| English | Chinese |
|---|---|
| No, thank you. | 不用了，谢谢。 |
| I am not interested. | 我不感兴趣。 |
| Please do not follow me. | 请不要跟着我。 |
| I only use the official booking channel. | 我只用官方预订渠道。 |
| I need to check first. | 我需要先确认一下。 |
Short, calm, and repetitive works better than a long explanation. If someone keeps pressuring you, walk into a hotel, shop, station, or another public place and ask staff for help.
A note about names and addresses
Save the following as images, not just a bookmark:
- hotel name, address, and telephone number in Chinese;
- the next station or airport terminal;
- your emergency contact;
- allergies and medications; and
- your embassy or consulate's contact details.
When handing over a phone, keep hold of it. When someone needs an address, show the image rather than unlocking messages or payment apps.
Sources and further reading
- Shanghai Municipal Government, visitor guidance on translation tools: https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-CIIE2025/20251017/4e9e429ab19a4d8eaeadca5a1e0b1433.html
- Shanghai Municipal Government, DiDi in English and vehicle confirmation: https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-UsefulApps/20240206/976515bc601f4803b9ce2f64ae9f0cd3.html
- Beijing Municipal Government, police and ambulance emergency numbers: https://focacsummit.mfa.gov.cn/eng/hyfw_1/201807/t20180723_5859459.htm
- UK Government, China emergency contacts: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china/getting-help
Last reviewed: 24 July 2026.