Basic Words

1. 是的

   Shì de

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic affirmative reply; also works when someone checks something with you

2. 不是

   Bú shì

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; say it gently to stay polite

3. 请

   Qǐng

   Please

   Usage

   Add it when asking for something; it also works on its own

4. 谢谢

   Xièxie

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic thank-you when you receive something or get help

5. 不好意思

   Bù hǎoyìsi

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Use to get a stranger's attention or to squeeze past someone

6. 对不起

   Duìbuqǐ

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology when you are at fault — bumping into someone, making a mistake

7. 没关系

   Méi guānxi

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Both to wave off an apology and to decline help or concern

8. 我不明白

   Wǒ bù míngbai

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say this first when the language is not getting through; people will rephrase

9. 我明白了

   Wǒ míngbai le

   I understand

   Usage

   The reply when you have understood; it also signals agreement

10. 我好了

    Wǒ hǎo le

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you are done with a meal, a payment, or a procedure

11. 请等一下

    Qǐng děng yíxià

    Please wait

    Usage

    A polite way to ask someone to hold on

12. 稍等

    Shāo děng

    Just a moment

    Usage

    For just a few seconds — while you find your wallet or your bag

13. 一位大人

    Yí wèi dàrén

    One adult, please

    Usage

    At a ticket window or entrance, to state how many people

14. 我没有预约

    Wǒ méiyǒu yùyuē

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Say this first when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking

15. 我有预约

    Wǒ yǒu yùyuē

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    At the front desk; follow it with your name

16. 请帮帮我

    Qǐng bāngbang wǒ

    Please help me

    Usage

    Call for help in an emergency — it is fine to shout this

17. 请再说一遍

    Qǐng zài shuō yí biàn

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what they just said

18. 请说慢一点

    Qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When someone speaks too fast; people almost always slow down

19. 我会说一点

    Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Keeps the conversation going while lowering expectations

20. 你会说英语吗？

    Nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Check for a shared language when you need to discuss something complicated

21. 这个

    Zhège

    This one

    Usage

    Used to pick out something near you

22. 那个

    Nàge

    That one

    Usage

    Chinese has a two-way system — "zhè" (near) and "nà" (not near). It does not split "that near you" from "that over there"; both are "nàge"

23. 这里

    Zhèlǐ

    Here

    Usage

    Refers to the spot you are standing in

24. 那里

    Nàlǐ

    There

    Usage

    Anywhere that is not "zhèlǐ" is "nàlǐ"; Chinese does not split "there by you" from "over there"

25. 我

    Wǒ

    I, me

    Usage

    Used to point to yourself

26. 你

    Nǐ

    You

    Usage

    Used to point at the person you are talking to; "nín" is the polite form for elders and superiors

27. 一起

    Yìqǐ

    Together

    Usage

    Shows that people are going, sitting, or paying together

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