Getting Started at a Restaurant
我有预约。 (Wǒ yǒu yù yuē.) I have a reservation.
请给我一份菜单。 (Qǐng gěi wǒ yī fèn cài dān.) Please give me a menu.
有英文菜单吗？ (Yǒu yīng wén cài dān ma?) Do you have an English menu?
Ordering Your Meal
你们有什么推荐吗？ (Nǐ men yǒu shén me tuī jiàn ma?) What do you recommend?
这道菜是什么？ (Zhè dào cài shì shén me?) What is this dish?
我要这个。 (Wǒ yào zhè ge.) I'll have this one.
这道菜辣吗？ (Zhè dào cài yǒu là ma?) Is this dish spicy?
我不吃辣。 (Wǒ bù chī là.) I don't eat spicy food.
我吃素。 (Wǒ chī sù.) I'm vegetarian.
我对海鲜过敏。 (Wǒ duì hǎi xiān guò mǐn.) I'm allergic to seafood.
Beverages & Special Requests
请给我一杯水。 (Qǐng gěi wǒ yī bēi shuǐ.) Please give me a glass of water.
我想要一杯冰茶。 (Wǒ xiǎng yào yī bēi bīng chá.) I'd like a glass of iced tea.
请不要放太多盐/糖。 (Qǐng bú yào fàng tài duō yán/táng.) Please don't put too much salt/sugar.
Paying the Bill
麻烦买单。 (Má fan mǎi dān.) Please bring the check.
账单一共多少钱? (Zhàng dān yī gòng duō shao qián?) What's the total?
我可以用信用卡/微信支付/支付宝吗？ (Wǒ kě yǐ yòng xìn yòng kǎ/wēi xìn zhī fù/zhī fù bǎo ma?) Can I pay with a credit card/WeChat/Alipay?
我请客。 (Wǒ qǐng kè.) My treat.

Shopping in China

Basic Shopping Phrases
你好，我可以帮你吗? (Nǐ hǎo, wǒ kě yǐ bāng nǐ ma?) Hello, can I help you?
我只是看看。 (Wǒ zhǐ shì kàn kan.) I'm just browsing.
这个多少钱? (Zhè ge duō shao qián?) How much is this?
你们有其他颜色吗? (Nǐ men yǒu qī tā yán sè ma?) Do you have other colors?
你们有其他尺码吗? (Nǐ men yǒu qī tā chǐ ma ma?) Do you have other sizes?
Haggling & Negotiating
Note: Haggling (讨价还价 - tǎo jià huán jià) is a traditional practice in Chinese markets and shops, especially for items without fixed prices. In malls and major stores, prices are usually non-negotiable, but it's perfectly acceptable at street markets and small shops.
有折扣吗? (Yǒu zhé kòu ma?) Is there a discount?
你们可以给几折? (Nǐ men kě yǐ gěi jǐ zhé?) What discount can you give?
能便宜点吗? (Néng pián yi diǎn ma?) Can you make it cheaper?
能讲价吗? (Néng jiǎng jià ma?) Can I make an offer?
如果我多买些，可以给我打折吗? (Rú guǒ wǒ duō mǎi xiē, kě yǐ gěi wǒ dǎ zhé ma?) Will you give me a discount if I buy more?
就30元了，凑个整吧。 (Jiù 30 yuán le, còu ge zhěng ba.) Let's make it 30 yuan, a round number.
这个价格超出了我的预算。 (Zhè ge jià gé chāo chū le wǒ de yù suàn.) This price is beyond my budget.
买一赠一怎么样? (Mǎi yī zèng yī zěn me yang?) How about buying one and getting one free?
Checkout & Payment
我就要这个。 (Wǒ jiù yào zhè ge.) I'll take this.
我可以试试吗? (Wǒ kě yǐ shì shi ma?) Can I try it?
这个可以换吗? (Zhè ge kě yǐ huàn ma?) Can I exchange this?
你们接受支付宝/微信/信用卡吗? (Nǐ men jiē shòu zhī fù bǎo/wēi xìn/xìn yòng kǎ ma?) Do you accept Alipay/WeChat/credit cards?

Transportation

Taking the Subway
我坐地铁。 (Wǒ zuò dì tiě.) I take the subway.
地铁站在哪里? (Dì tiě zhàn zài nǎ li?) Where's the subway station?
我要去……地铁怎么坐? (Wǒ yào qù……dì tiě zěn me zuò?) How do I take the subway to……?
地铁很挤。 (Dì tiě hěn jǐ.) The subway is crowded.
Taxis & Ride-sharing
出租车在哪里? (Chū zū chē zài nǎ li?) Where can I find a taxi?
我要去这个地址。 (Wǒ yào qù zhè ge dì zhǐ.) I want to go to this address.
大约需要多少钱? (Dà yuē xū yào duō shao qián?) About how much will it cost?
能用滴滴/高德地图吗? (Néng yòng dī dī/gāo dé dì tú ma?) Can I use Didi/Amap (ride-sharing apps)?
General Travel
去……怎么走? (Qù……zěn me zǒu?) How do I get to……?
这里离……远吗? (Zhè li lí……yuǎn ma?) Is this far from……?
有地图吗? (Yǒu dì tú ma?) Do you have a map?
公共汽车在哪里? (Gōng gòng qì chē zài nǎ li?) Where's the bus station?