Must-Know Chinese for Haircuts
Wǒ xiǎng jiǎn tóu fà.
我想剪头发。
I’d like a haircut.
Wǒ xiǎng jiǎn duǎn yī diǎn.
我想剪短一点。
I want it a bit shorter.
Xiū jiǎn yī xià liú hǎi.
修剪一下刘海。
Trim the bangs a little.
Xiū jiǎn fà wěi.
修剪发尾。
Trim …
50 Must-Know Phrases for Watching Chinese Dramas Without Subtitles
Let’s be honest: watching Chinese dramas without subtitles can feel like trying to run a marathon with your shoelaces tied together. But what if you could start understanding the most repeated, emotionally loaded phrases—without needing to pause every 10 seconds?
Whether you’re obsessed with historical …
How to Say “I Can’t Anymore” in Chinese
我真的不行了 (Wǒ zhēn de bù xíng le)
Literal: I really can’t go on.
Tone: Exhausted but sincere.
累死我了 (Lèi sǐ wǒ le)
Literal: I’m tired to death.
Tone: Exaggerated but casual.
我扛不住了 (Wǒ káng bù zhù le)
Literal: I can’t hold on anymore.
Tone: Colloquial …
Say Hello Like a Pro: Top Chinese Greetings for Beginners!
zǎo shang hǎo
早上好
Good morning!
Chī zǎo cān le ma?
吃早餐了吗？
Have you eaten breakfast?
Zhōng wǔ hǎo
中午好
Good noon (around midday)
xià wǔ hǎo
下午好
Good afternoon!
Chī wǔ fàn le ma?
吃午饭了吗？
Have you eaten lunch?
…
How to Say “Where’s the Bathroom?” in Chinese
Cè suǒ
厕所
Qǐng wèn, cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ?
请问，厕所在哪里？
Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
Cè suǒ zài nǎ biān?
厕所在哪边？
Which way is the bathroom?
Zhè lǐ yǒu cè suǒ ma?
这里有厕所吗？
Is there a bathroom here?
…
What to Say When You Meet a New Friend in Chinese
Nǐ hǎo, wǒ jiào…
你好，我叫…
Hi, my name is…
Hěn gāo xìng rèn shi nǐ.
很高兴认识你。
Nice to meet you.
Nǐ shì cóng nǎ lǐ lái de?
你是从哪里来的？
Where are you from?
Nǐ píng shí xǐ huān zuò shén me?
你平时喜欢做什么？…
Essential Chinese Small Talk Phrases
Nǐ zuì jìn zěn me yàng?
你最近怎么样？
How have you been lately?
Tiān qì zhēn hǎo!
天气真好！
The weather is great!
Nǐ shì zuò shén me gōng zuò de?
你是做什么工作的？
What do you do for work?
Nǐ xǐ huān zhè lǐ ma?…
Shopping in China? Learn These Chinese Phrases to Try On Clothes
Wǒ kě yǐ shì yī xià ma?
我可以试一下吗？
Can I try it on?
Dāng rán kě yǐ，nǐ xiǎng shì nǎ yī jiàn?
当然可以，你想试哪一件？
Of course! Which one would you like to try?
Wǒ xiǎng shì shì zhè ge.
我想试试这个。
I want …
Learn How to Say “I’m Full” in Chinese Like a Local!
Wǒ chī bǎo le.
我吃饱了。
I’m full.
Tài bǎo le, wǒ bù yào le.
太饱了，我不要了。
I’m too full, I don’t want any more.
Hǎo bǎo a!
好饱啊！
So full!
Bǎo dào dǎ gé le.
饱到打嗝了。
So full I’m burping.
Bǎo …
How to Ask for the Wi-Fi in Chinese
Qǐng wèn, yǒu Wi-Fi ma?
请问，有Wi-Fi吗？
Excuse me, do you have Wi-Fi?
Yǒu de, xū yào mì mǎ.
有的，需要密码。
Yes, but you’ll need the password.
Nà mì mǎ shì shén me?
那密码是什么？
What’s the password?
Shì “coffee123”, quán xiǎo xiě.
是“coffee123”，全小写。
It’s …
Unveiling Xi’an: A Family Adventure into China’s Ancient Heart and Mandarin Culture
One city that stands out for this purpose is Xi’an—a living museum where every street, wall, and market tells a story that deepens both Mandarin learning and cultural understanding for kids aged 3 to 17.
Xi’an, once the capital of thirteen dynasties and the eastern …
Discovering Suzhou: A Family Journey into China’s Living Heritage
Today, I’d like to introduce Suzhou—a gem of Jiangsu province and an inspiring destination for families who want their children to experience authentic Chinese culture beyond textbooks.
Suzhou, often described as the “Venice of the East,” is famed for its ancient canals, classical gardens, and …
“有点东西”(yǒu diǎn dōngxi): Why Chinese People Say This When They’re Impressed
It means:
“That’s actually impressive.”
“Okay, you’ve got skills.”
“There’s something special here.”
It’s a low-key way to show admiration without going over the top — kind of like saying “not bad” in English, but with a wink of real respect.
Example:
Nǐ kàn tā …
Discovering the Magic of Chinese Lantern Festivals: A Gateway to Mandarin and Culture
One of the most mesmerizing and family-friendly celebrations in Chinese culture is the Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao Jie), which marks the end of Lunar New Year festivities and lights up winter nights with wonder and joy.
For families outside China, the Lantern Festival offers a perfect …
Journey Through the Four Great Inventions: Inspiring Curiosity About Chinese Culture
Among the most exciting cultural knowledge points that consistently engage young minds are the Four Great Inventions of ancient China: papermaking, printing, the compass, and gunpowder.
Introducing these inventions during lessons not only surprises students, but also gives them a sense of connection to global …
Exploring Chinese Calligraphy: An Artistic Pathway to Mandarin for Non-Chinese Kids
Among the many cultural gateways into Mandarin, Chinese calligraphy stands out as a uniquely inspiring and accessible entry point for children aged 3–17. Today, I’d love to share how introducing your child to the world of Chinese calligraphy can foster both language skills and a …
What Chinese People Really Mean When They Say These Polite Phrases
If you’ve ever been part of a Chinese group chat, sat through a tense dinner conversation, or watched a viral drama on Tiktok, you’ve probably come across a few phrases that sound fine — but feel like a slap in the face.
Welcome to the …
How to Sound Instantly Friendlier in Chinese — 3 Go-To Phrases
1. 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) = Sorry / Excuse me (but softer and friendly)
You’ll hear this everywhere in China. Use it when you: Bump into someone Ask for help Interrupt a conversation
2. 麻烦你一下 (má fan nǐ yí xià) = Could I trouble …
Funny Ways to Say “I Don’t Want to Move”
1. 葛优躺 (gě yōu tǎng) “Ge You slouch”
Named after a famous actor’s slumped pose in a TV show, it’s the ultimate expression of being lazy and unbothered.
Example:
Jīntiān bù xiǎng dòng, jiù xiǎng gě yōu tǎng. 今天不想动，就想葛优躺。 I don’t want to move today—just …
Why Chinese People Say “我佛了”(wǒ fó le) When They’re Speechless
“我佛了” literally means “I Buddha’d” — yes, as in “Buddha.”In slang, it really means:
? “I’m speechless.”
? “I can’t even…”
? “This is too much to handle.”
“佛” (fó) sounds like “服” (fú). “我服了” means “to submit” or “to give in.”So “我佛了” can feel …