coffee with milk
牛奶咖啡
niú nǎi kā fēi
1. cup
杯子
bēi zi
2. handle
杯把
bēi bà
3. saucer
碟子
dié zi
Business meetings, meals with friends, or courses of study… whatever your day-to-day schedule looks like during your time in China, this section deals with the words and phrases you may require when going on errands, planning outings, and going about your everyday business.
coffee with milk
牛奶咖啡
niú nǎi kā fēi
1. cup
杯子
bēi zi
2. handle
杯把
bēi bà
3. saucer
碟子
dié zi
YOU MIGHT SAY…
Where are you going?
你要去哪儿？
nǐ yào qù nǎr
What time do you finish?
你几点结束？
nǐ jǐ diǎn jié shù
What are you doing today/tonight?
你今天／今晚有什么安排？
nǐ jīn tiān/jīn wǎn yǒu shén me ān pái
Are you free on Friday?
你星期五有空吗？
nǐ xīng qī wǔ yǒu kòng ma
Where/When would you like to meet?
你想在哪儿／几点见面？
nǐ xiǎng zài nǎr/jǐ diǎn jiàn miàn
YOU MIGHT HEAR…
I’m at work/uni.
我在上班／大学。
wǒ zài shàng bān/dà xué
I have a day off.
我休息一天。
wǒ xiū xi yī tiān
I’m going to/planning to…
我要去／打算…
wǒ yào qù/dǎ suàn
Let’s meet at 6 p.m./at the restaurant.
咱们晚上六点见／在饭店见。
zán men wǎn shàng liù diǎn jiàn/zài fàn diàn jiàn
I can’t meet up at 11 a.m., sorry.
对不起，我不能11点见你。
duì bù qǐ, wǒ bù néng shí yī diǎn jiàn nǐ
VOCABULARY
to wake up
醒来
xǐng lái
to get dressed
穿衣服
chuān yī fu
to arrive
到达
dào dá
to leave
离开
lí kāi
to study
学习
xué xí
to work
工作
gōng zuò
to meet friends
交朋友
jiāo péng you
to go home
回家
huí jiā
to go to bed
睡觉
shuì jiào
Breakfast is regarded as a very important meal in China. People normally eat a cooked breakfast, for example steamed buns or noodles. A Western-style breakfast is more popular in big cities. Commuters will often buy breakfast from street stalls and eat it on the go or in the office.
VOCABULARY
bread and butter
面包和黄油
miàn bāo hé huáng yóu
bread and jam
面包和果酱
miàn bāo hé guǒ jiàng
to spread
抹
mǒ
to have breakfast
吃早餐
chī zǎo cān
to skip breakfast
不吃早餐
bù chī zǎo cān
(Chinese) tea
茶
chá
chocolate spread
巧克力酱
qiǎo ke lì jiàng
coffee
咖啡
kā fēi
coffee with milk
牛奶咖啡
niú nǎi kā fēi
congee
粥
zhōu
deep fried breadstick and soymilk
油条和豆浆
yóu tiáo hé dòu jiāng
green tea
绿茶
lǜ chá
jam
果酱
guǒ jiàng
muesli
牛奶和麦片
niú nǎi hé mài piàn
orange juice
果汁
chéng zhī
peanut butter
花生酱
huā shēng jiàng
steamed bun
馒头
mán tou
stuffed pancake
煎饼
jiān bǐng
Unlike Western meals, there aren’t different courses in Chinese meals. If people are able to go home for lunch, they will cook a few simple dishes; if they have to stay at work, they will have a set meal - 盒饭 (hé fàn) - sold from street stalls or delivered to the office. Dinner is very important so there will normally be quite a few nutritious and delicious cooked dishes.
YOU MIGHT SAY…
What’s for dinner?
晚餐吃什么？
wǎn cān chī shén me
What time is lunch?
几点吃午饭？
jǐ diǎn chī wǔ fàn
Can I try it?
我可以试试吗？
wǒ kě yǐ shì shi ma
YOU MIGHT HEAR…
We’re having … for dinner.
我们晚饭吃…。
wǒ men wǎn fàn chī…
Lunch is at midday.
十二点吃午饭。
shí èr diǎn chī wǔ fàn
Dinner’s ready!
饭好了！
fàn hǎo le
VOCABULARY
lunch
午餐
wǔ cān
dinner
正餐
zhèng cān
supper
晚饭
wǎn fàn
recipe
菜谱
cài pǔ
to have lunch
进午餐
jìn wǔ cān
to have dinner
吃饭
chī fàn
YOU SHOULD KNOW…
Western-style food is becoming more and more popular in China, mainly with young people. However, the food is often adjusted to accommodate Chinese taste buds.
STAPLE FOODS
Chinese noodles
面条
miàn tiáo
Chinese pita bread
饼
bǐng
dumplings
饺子
jiǎo zi
rice
米饭
mǐ fàn
rice noodles
米线
mǐ xiàn
steamed buns with savoury stuffing
包子
bāo zi
CLASSIC CHINESE DISHES
Beijing roast duck
北京烤鸭
běi jīng kǎo yā
braised pork
红烧肉
hóng shāo ròu
cumin lamb
孜然羊肉
zì rán yáng ròu
fish-flavoured aubergine
鱼香茄子
yú xiāng qié zi
fish-flavoured shredded pork
鱼香肉丝
yú xiāng ròu sī
home-style tofu
家常豆腐
jiā cháng dòu fu
hotpot
火锅
huǒ guō
kai lan with garlic
蒜蓉芥兰
suàn róng jiè lán
kung pao chicken
宫爆鸡丁
gōng bào jī dīng
lionhead meatballs
狮子头
shī zi tóu
mapo tofu
麻婆豆腐
má pó dòu fu
pak choi with mushrooms
香菇油菜
xiāng gū yóu cài
prawn with peas
青豆虾仁
qīng dòu xiā rén
saliva chicken
口水鸡
kǒu shuǐ jī
sour and spicy shredded potato
酸辣土豆丝
suān là tǔ dòu sī
spicy crayfish
麻辣小龙虾
má là xiǎo lóng xiā
spring roll
春卷
chūn juǎn
steamed sea bass
清蒸鲈鱼
qīng zhēng lú yú
steamed Yangcheng lake crab
清蒸大闸蟹
qīng zhēng dà zhá xiè
stir-fried egg with tomato
西红柿炒鸡蛋
xī hóng shì chǎo jī dàn
stir-fried winter melon
炒冬瓜
chǎo dōng guā
sweet and sour fish
松鼠鱼
sōng shǔ yú
sweet and sour pork
糖醋里脊
táng cù lǐ jǐ
twice-cooked pork
回锅肉
huí guō ròu
DESSERTS
candied fruit
糖葫芦
táng hú lu
custard tart
蛋挞
dàn tà
glutinous rice balls with sesame filling
汤圆
tāng yuán
mango sago
杨枝甘露
yáng zhī gān lù
moon cake
月饼
yuè bǐng
steamed bun with red bean paste
豆沙包
dòu shā bāo
China is renowned the world over for its cuisine, so it goes without saying that eating out is an important social experience in Chinese culture.
YOU MIGHT SAY…
I’d like to make a reservation.
我想订位
wǒ xiǎng dìng wèi
A table for four, please.
四个人。
sì gè rén
We’re ready to order.
我们可以点菜了。
wǒ men kě yǐ diǎn cài le
What would you recommend?
你有什么推荐的吗？
nǐ yǒu shén me tuī jiàn de ma
What are the specials today?
今天有什么特色菜？
jīn tiān yǒu shén me tè sè cài
I’d like…
我想点…
wǒ xiǎng diǎn
Are there vegetarian/vegan options?
有适合素食者的吗？
yǒu shì hé sù shí zhě de ma
I’m allergic to…
我对…过敏。
wǒ duì … guò mǐn
Excuse me, this is too cold.
不好意思，这个是冷的。
bù hǎo yì sī, zhè gè shì lěng de
This is not what I ordered.
我点的不是这个。
wǒ diǎn de bù shì zhè gè
That was delicious.
真好吃。
zhēn hǎo chī
May we have the bill, please?
请给我们买单。
qǐng gěi wǒ men mǎi dān
YOU SHOULD KNOW…
Unlike Chinese restaurants in the UK, you will not be given complimentary prawn crackers in restaurants in China. However, tea is normally free with your meal.
YOU MIGHT HEAR…
At what time?
几点？
jǐ diǎn
How many people?
几位？
jǐ wèi
Sorry, we’re fully booked.
对不起，我们都订满了。
duì bù qǐ, wǒ men dōu dìng mǎn le
Would you like anything to drink?
请问要喝什么？
qǐng wèn yào hē shén me
Are you ready to order?
可以点菜了吗？
kě yǐ diǎn cài le ma
I would recommend…
我推荐…。
wǒ tuī jiàn
The specials today are…
今天的特色菜有…
jīn tiān de tè sè cài yǒu
I will let the chef know.
我会告诉厨师。
wǒ huì gào sù chú shī
Enjoy your meal!
吃好喝好！
chī hǎo hē hǎo
VOCABULARY
set menu
套餐
tào cān
daily specials
每日特色菜
měi rì tè sè cài
service charge
服务费
fú wù fèi
vegetarian
素食者
sù shí zhě
vegan
严格的素食者
yán gé de sù shí zhě
gluten-free
无麸质的
wú fū zhì de
to order
点菜
diǎn cài
to ask for the bill
结帐
jié zhàng
to be served
受到接待
shòu dào jiē dài
TABLE SETTING
1. place mat
餐垫
cān diàn
2. bowl
碗
wǎn
3. chopsticks
筷子
kuài zi
4. teacup
茶杯
chá bēi
5. soup spoon
汤匙
tāng chí
GENERAL
bar
酒吧
jiǔ bā
bill
账单
zhàng dān
chilli sauce
辣椒酱
là jiāo jiàng
menu
菜单
cài dān
salt cellar
盐瓶
yán píng
serviette
餐巾纸
cān jīn zhǐ
soy sauce and vinegar
酱醋
jiàng cù
spirit glass
白酒杯
bái jiǔ bēi
tablecloth
台布
tái bù
teaset
茶壶和茶杯
chá hú hé chá bēi
toothpicks
牙签
yá qiān
waiter/waitress
服务员／女服务员
fú wù yuán/nǚ fú wù yuán
There are different types of fast food available in China, although the majority are Western-style foods.
YOU MIGHT SAY…
I’d like to order, please.
请问我可以点菜吗？
qǐng wèn wǒ kě yǐ diǎn cài ma
Do you deliver?
你们送餐吗？
nǐ men sòng cān ma
I’m sitting in/taking away.
我在这儿吃／打包带走。
wǒ zài zhèr chī/dǎ bāo dài zǒu
That’s everything, thanks.
就这些，谢谢。
jiù zhè xiē , xiè xie
YOU MIGHT HEAR…
Can I help you?
你需要帮助吗？
nǐ xū yào bāng zhù ma
Sit-in or takeaway?
在这儿吃还是带走？
zài zhèr chī hái shì dài zǒu
We do/don’t do delivery.
我们送餐／不送餐。
wǒ men sòng cān/bù sòng cān
Would you like anything else?
还需要其它的吗？
hái xū yào qí tā de ma
VOCABULARY
fast-food chain
连锁快餐店
lián suǒ kuài cān diàn
food stall
小吃摊
xiǎo chī tān
street food
街边小吃
jiē biān xiǎo chī
vendor
摊贩
tān fàn
drive-thru
免下车的
miǎn xià chē de
an order to go/a takeaway
外卖订单
wài mài dìng dān
delivery charge
送餐费
sòng cān fèi
to place an order
下单
xià dān
to collect an order
取餐
qǔ cān
barbecued squid
烤鱿鱼
kǎo yóu yú
burger
汉堡包
hàn bǎo bāo
Chinese salad
凉拌菜
liáng bàn cài
fries
炸薯条
zhá shǔ tiáo
hot dog
热狗
rè gǒu
kebab
烤肉串
kǎo ròu chuàn
pizza
比萨饼
bǐ sà bǐng
sandwich
三明治
sān míng zhì
set meal box
盒饭
hé fàn
sushi
寿司
shòu sī
wonton soup
馄饨
hún tun
wrap
饼卷菜
bǐng juǎn cài
Technology plays a huge role in people’s everyday lives. A mere click, tap, or swipe helps us to stay in touch with friends and family, keep up to date with what’s going on, and find the information we need.
YOU MIGHT SAY/HEAR
I’ll give you a call later.
我迟点打回来。
wǒ chí diǎn dǎ huí lái
I’ll email you.
我会给你发邮件。
wǒ huì gěi nǐ fā yóu jiàn
What’s your number?
你的号码是多少？
nǐ de hào mǎ shì duō shǎo
This is a bad line.
信号不好。
xìn hào bù hǎo
I don’t have any signal.
我的手机没信号。
wǒ de shǒu jī méi xìn hào
May I have your email address?
可以告诉我你的电子邮件吗？
kě yǐ gào sù wǒ nǐ de diàn zǐ yóu jiàn ma
The website address is…
网址是…。
wǎng zhǐ shì
What’s the WiFi password?
无线网络的密码是什么？
wú xiàn wǎng luò de mì mǎ shì shén me
It’s all one word.
是一个字。
shì yī gè zì
It’s upper/lower case.
大写／小写。
dà xiě/xiǎo xiě
VOCABULARY
post
发布
fā bù
social media
社交网络
shè jiāo wǎng luò
电子邮件
diàn zǐ yóu jiàn
email address
电子邮件地址
diàn zǐ yóu jiàn dì zhǐ
internet
互联网
hù lián wǎng
WiFi
无线网络
wú xiàn wǎng luò
website
网站
wǎng zhàn
link
链接
liàn jiē
icon
图标
tú biāo
mouse
鼠标
shǔ biāo
keyboard
键盘
jiàn pán
app
应用软件
yìng yòng ruǎn jiàn
data
流量
liú liàng
mobile phone
手机
shǒu jī
landline
固定电话
gù dìng diàn huà
phone call
电话
diàn huà
text message
文字短信息
wén zì duǎn xìn xī
voice mail
语音信箱
yǔ yīn xìn xiāng
touchscreen
触屏
chù píng
screen
屏幕
píng mù
button
按钮
àn niǔ
battery
电池
diàn chí
cable
电线
diàn xiàn
to make a phone call
打电话
dǎ diàn huà
to send a text
发信息
fā xìn xī
to post (online)
（在网上）发布
(zài wǎng shang) fā bù
to download/upload
下载／上传
xià zǎi/shàng chuán
to charge your phone
给手机充电
gěi shǒu jī chōng diàn
to switch on/off
开／关电源
kāi/guān diàn yuán
to click on
点击
diǎn jī
YOU SHOULD KNOW…
There are two main translations for computer: 电脑 which means “electric brain” and 计算机 which means “calculating machine”.
charger
充电器
chōng diàn qì
computer
电脑／计算机
diàn nǎo/jì suàn jī
mouse mat
鼠标垫
shǔ biāo diàn
phone case
手机壳
shǒu jī ké
power pack
移动电源
yí dòng diàn yuán
SIM card
SIM卡
S I M kǎ
smartphone
智能手机
zhì néng shǒu jī
tablet
平板电脑
píng bǎn diàn nǎo
wireless router
无线路由器
wú xiàn lù yóu qì
Compulsory eduction in China begins at the age of 6 or 7 and continues for 6 years of primary school and 3 years of junior middle school. Nursery and senior middle school are optional, although most parents would send their children to both.
YOU MIGHT SAY…
What are you studying?
你在学什么？
nǐ zài xué shén me
What year are you in?
你在几年级？
nǐ zài jǐ nián jí
What’s your favourite subject?
你最喜欢哪门课？
nǐ zuì xǐ huān nǎ mén kè
YOU MIGHT HEAR…
I’m studying…
我在学…。
wǒ zài xué
I’m in Year 6/my final year.
我上六年级／最后一年。
wǒ shàng liù nián jí/zuì hòu yī nián
I have an assignment.
我有作业。
wǒ yǒu zuò yè
VOCABULARY
nursery school
托儿所
tuō ér suǒ
primary school
小学
xiǎo xué
junior/senior middle school
初中／高中
chū zhōng/gāo zhōng
college
学院
xué yuàn
university
大学
dà xué
headteacher
中小学校长
zhōng xiǎo xué xiào zhǎng
janitor
看门人
kān mén rén
timetable
时间表
shí jiān biǎo
lesson
课程
kè chéng
lecture
讲座
jiǎng zuò
tutorial
辅导课
fǔ dǎo kè
assignment
任务
rèn wù
homework
家庭作业
jiā tíng zuò yè
exam
考试
kǎo shì
degree
学位
xué wèi
undergraduate
大学本科生
dà xué běn kē shēng
postgraduate
研究生
yán jiū shēng
assembly hall
礼堂
lǐ táng
playing field
运动场
yùn dòng chǎng
playground
操场
cāo chǎng
halls of residence
宿舍楼
sù shè lóu
student union
学生会
xué shēng huì
student card
学生证
xué shēng zhèng
to learn
学习
xué xí
to teach
讲授
jiǎng shòu
to revise
复习
fù xí
to sit an exam
参加考试
cān jiā kǎo shì
to graduate
毕业
bì yè
to study
学习
xué xí
YOU SHOULD KNOW…
Most Chinese schools have a school uniform policy. There are strict rules about wearing accessories.
SCHOOL
classroom
教室
jiào shì
colouring pencils
彩色铅笔
cǎi sè qiān bǐ
eraser
橡皮擦
xiàng pí cā
exercise book
笔记本
bǐ jì běn
felt-tip pens
记号笔
jì hào bǐ
fountain pen
钢笔
gāng bǐ
hole punch
打孔机
dǎ kǒng jī
paper
纸
zhǐ
paper clip
曲别针
qū bié zhēn
pen
水性笔
shuǐ xìng bǐ
pencil
铅笔
qiān bǐ
pencil case
铅笔盒
qiān bǐ hé
pupil
学生
xué shēng
ruler
尺子
chǐ zi
schoolbag
书包
shū bāo
scissors
剪刀
jiǎn dāo
sharpener
卷笔刀
juǎn bǐ dāo
stapler
订书机
dìng shū jī
teacher
教师
jiào shī
textbook
教科书
jiào kē shū
whiteboard
白色书写板
bāi sè shū xiě bǎn
HIGHER EDUCATION
campus
校园
xiào yuán
canteen
食堂
shí táng
lecture hall
讲堂
jiǎng táng
lecturer
讲师
jiǎng shī
library
图书馆
tú shū guǎn
student
学生
xué shēng
Office hours tend to be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Many businesses will have a lunch break of 1-2 hours, though this is now less commonplace in larger Chinese cities.
YOU MIGHT SAY/HEAR…
Can we arrange a meeting?
我们可以开个会吗？
wǒ men kě yǐ kāi gè huì m
May I speak to…?
我可以和…说话吗？
wǒ kě yǐ hé … shuō huà ma
Can you send me…?
你可以把…发给我吗？
nǐ kě yǐ bǎ … fā gěi wǒ ma
I have a meeting with…
我要和…开会。
wǒ yào hé … kāi huì
Mr/Ms… is on the phone.
…先生／女士在打电话。
… xiān sheng/nǚ shì zài dǎ diàn huà
Here’s my business card.
这是我的名片。
zhè shì wǒ de míng piàn
Who’s calling?
谁打来的？
shuí dǎ lái de
Can I call you back?
我可以给你打回来吗？
wǒ kě yǐ gěi nǐ dǎ huí lái ma
VOCABULARY
manager
经理
jīng lǐ
staff
工作人员
gōng zuò rén yuán
colleague
同事
tóng shì
client
客户
kè hù
human resources
人力资源
rén lì zī yuán
figures
数字
shù zì
spreadsheet
电子计算表
diàn zǐ jì suàn biǎo
presentation
陈述
chén shù
report
报告
bào gào
meeting
会议
huì yì
conference call
电话会议
diàn huà huì yì
video conference
视频会议
shì pín huì yì
ink cartridge
墨盒
mò hé
inbox
收件箱
shōu jiàn xiāng
attachment
附件
fù jiàn
username
用户名
yòng hù míng
password
密码
mì mǎ
to give a presentation
做报告
zuò bào gào
to hold a meeting
开会
kāi huì
to log on/off
登录／登出
dēng lù/dēng chū
YOU SHOULD KNOW…
At lunchtime, eating at one’s office desk rather than taking a break with colleagues is seen as unusual, even rude, by many Chinese people working in public sectors.
desk
办公桌
bàn gōng zhuō
filing cabinet
文件柜
wén jiàn guì
folder
文件夹
wén jiàn jiā
in/out tray
收／发件盘
shōu/fā jiàn pán
laptop
笔记本电脑
bǐ jì běn diàn nǎo
notepad
记事本
jì shì běn
photocopier
复印机
fù yìn jī
printer
打印机
dǎ yìn jī
ring binder
扣眼活页簿
kòu yǎn huó yè bù
scanner
扫描仪
sǎo miáo yí
sticky notes
便利贴
biàn lì tiē
sticky tape
胶带
jiāo dài
swivel chair
转椅
zhuàn yǐ
telephone
电话
diàn huà
USB stick
U盘
u pán
Most banks are open during normal business hours from Monday to Friday, and also on Saturday mornings, though this can vary.
YOU MIGHT SAY…
I’d like to…
我想…
wǒ xiǎng
… register for online banking.
…开通网上银行。
kāi tōng wǎng shàng yín háng
Is there a fee for this service?
这项服务收费吗？
zhè xiàng fú wù shōu fèi ma
I need to cancel my debit/credit card.
我要注销我的借记卡／信用卡。
wǒ yào zhù xiāo wǒ de jiè jì kǎ/xìn yòng kǎ
YOU MIGHT HEAR…
May I see your ID, please?
请问可以给我看你的身份证吗？
qǐng wèn kě yǐ gěi wǒ kàn nǐ de shēn fèn zhèng ma
How much would you like to withdraw/deposit?
你要取／存多少钱？
nǐ yào qǔ/cún duō shǎo qián
Could you enter your PIN, please?
请输入密码。
qǐng shū rù mì mǎ
You must fill out an application form.
你得填一份申请表。
nǐ děi tián yī fèn shēn qǐng biǎo
VOCABULARY
branch
支行
zhī háng
cashier
收银员
shōu yín yuán
online banking
网上银行
wǎng shàng yín háng
bank account
银行账户
yíng háng zhàng hù
current account
活期账户
huó qī zhàng hù
savings account
储蓄账户
chǔ xù zhàng hù
account number
银行账号
yíng háng zhàng hào
bank balance
银行账户余额
yíng háng zhàng hù yú é
bank statement
银行结单
yíng háng jié dān
overdraft
透支
tòu zhī
bank transfer
转账
zhuǎn zhàng
chequebook
支票簿
zhī piào bù
currency
货币
huò bì
loan
贷款
dài kuǎn
mortgage
购房按揭
gòu fáng àn jiē
interest
利息
lì xī
to borrow
借
jiè
to withdraw funds
取钱
qǔ qián
to make a deposit
存款
cún kuǎn
to open an account
开个账户
kāi gè zhàng hù
to change money
换汇
huàn huì
ATM
取款机
qǔ kuǎn jī
banknotes
纸币
zhǐ bì
bureau de change
外汇兑换所
wài huì duì huàn suǒ
debit/credit card
借记卡／信用卡
jiè jì kǎ/xìn yòng kǎ
exchange rate
汇率
huì lǜ
safety deposit box
银行保险箱
yín háng bǎo xiǎn xiāng
Opening hours for post offices will vary widely from place to place, so check what times the local branch will open and close. Be aware that most post offices will ask about the contents of a parcel, some may even ask to see it.
YOU MIGHT SAY…
I’d like to send this by airmail.
我想寄航空件。
wǒ xiǎng jì háng kōng jiàn
Can I get a certificate of postage, please?
请问可以给我邮寄收据吗？
qǐng wèn kě yǐ gěi wǒ yóu jì shōu jù ma
How long will delivery take?
多久能寄到？
duō jiǔ néng jì dào
I’d like 4 stamps, please.
请给我四张邮票。
qǐng gěi wǒ sì zhāng yóu piào
YOU MIGHT HEAR…
Place it on the scales, please.
请放在秤上。
qǐng fàng zài chèng shàng
What are the contents?
这里面是什么？
zhè lǐ miàn shì shén me
What is the value of this parcel?
这个包裹的价值是多少？
zhè gè bāo guǒ de jià zhí shì duō shǎo
Would you like a certificate of postage?
你需要收据吗？
nǐ xū yào shōu jù ma
How many stamps do you require?
你要多少张邮票？
nǐ yào duō shǎo zhāng yóu piào
VOCABULARY
address
地址
dì zhǐ
postal van
邮车
yóu chē
courier
信使
xìn shǐ
邮件
yóu jiàn
airmail
航空邮件
háng kōng yóu jiàn
to post
邮寄
yóu jì
to send
发送
fā sòng
to return a package
退寄包裹
tuì jì bāo guǒ
box
箱子
xiāng zi
bubble wrap
气泡膜
qì pào mó
envelope
信封
xìn fēng
letter
信函
xìn hán
package
包裹
bāo guǒ
postal worker
邮递员
yóu dì yuán
postbox
邮箱
yóu xiāng
postcard
明信片
míng xìn piàn
stamp
邮票
yóu piào
YOU SHOULD KNOW…
While post offices are still popular with the older generation in China, express delivery companies are taking over the market with the services they provide, which many Chinese people find quicker and more convenient.
YOU MIGHT SAY…
How do I get to the city centre?
怎么去市中心？
zěn me qù shì zhōng xīn
I’d like to visit …
我想去看看…。
wǒ xiǎng qù kàn kan
I need to go to…
我得去…。
wǒ děi qù
What are the opening hours?
几点开门？
jǐ diǎn kāi mén
YOU MIGHT HEAR…
It’s open between … and…
…到…开门。
… dào … kāi mén
It’s closed on Mondays.
星期一不开门。
xīng qī yī bù kāi mén
PLACES OF IMPORTANCE
café
咖啡厅
kā fēi tīng
church
教堂
jiào táng
cinema
电影院
diàn yǐng yuàn
conference centre
会议中心
huì yì zhōng xīn
courthouse
法院大楼
fǎ yuàn dà lóu
dry cleaner’s
干洗店
gān xǐ diàn
fire station
消防队
xiāo fáng duì
fountain
喷泉
pēn quán
hospital
医院
yī yuàn
hotel
酒店
jiǔ diàn
library
图书馆
tú shū guǎn
mosque
清真寺
qīng zhēn sì
office block
办公楼
bàn gōng lóu
park
公园
gōng yuán
playground
儿童游乐场地
ér tóng yóu lè chǎng dì
police station
警察局
jǐng chá jú
retail park
购物区
gòu wù qū
town hall
市政厅
shì zhèng tīng