Useful Chinese Phrases for Xi'an — What You Actually Need to Know

Why a Few Phrases Go a Long Way

English is not widely spoken in Xi'an, especially outside major tourist sites. Unlike Beijing or Shanghai, where you'll encounter English more frequently, Xi'an requires a bit more self-reliance. Knowing just a handful of phrases transforms your experience — from getting better food recommendations to handling taxi directions.

Chinese pronunciation is tonal, which intimidates people, but locals are extremely forgiving with foreigners. Even a badly-pronounced "xiexie" (thank you) will get smiles. Don't aim for perfect tones — aim for being understood.

Essential Phrases by Situation

Greetings & Politeness: - 你好 (nǐ hǎo) — Hello - 谢谢 (xiè xie) — Thank you - 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) — Excuse me / Sorry - 没关系 (méi guān xi) — No problem / It's okay - 再见 (zài jiàn) — Goodbye

Food & Ordering: - 这个 (zhè ge) — This one (point at the menu or food) - 不要辣 (bù yào là) — Not spicy - 买单 (mǎi dān) — Check please / Pay the bill - 好吃 (hǎo chī) — Delicious (say this to food vendors, they'll love you) - 多少钱 (duō shǎo qián) — How much?

Getting Around: - 去... (qù...) — Go to... (say your destination after) - 这里 (zhè lǐ) — Here (to tell a taxi driver to stop) - 地铁 (dì tiě) — Metro / Subway

Numbers (for prices): - 一 (yī) 1, 二 (èr) 2, 三 (sān) 3, 四 (sì) 4, 五 (wǔ) 5 - 十 (shí) 10, 二十 (èr shí) 20, 五十 (wǔ shí) 50, 一百 (yì bǎi) 100

Emergency: - 帮助 (bāng zhù) — Help - 医院 (yī yuàn) — Hospital - 我不舒服 (wǒ bù shū fu) — I don't feel well

Non-Verbal Communication and Tech Tricks

You'll be surprised how much of Xi'an you can navigate without speaking a word. Locals are accustomed to non-verbal communication with foreign visitors — lean into it.

Show your phone screen. Before leaving your hotel, screenshot your destination in Chinese characters and the metro station name. Show it to taxi drivers, metro staff, or anyone you're asking for directions. A picture of the place works just as well — people recognize landmarks instantly even if they can't read the English name.

Translation app camera mode. Google Translate's camera feature (with the Chinese offline pack downloaded) lets you point your phone at a menu, a sign, or a ticket machine and see an instant translation overlay. It's not perfect — Chinese menus are full of poetic dish names that translate literally into nonsense — but it gets the job done for basic ingredients and prices.

Alipay QR codes. Once Alipay is set up, most transactions are a silent QR code scan. You don't need to say "how much" — the vendor shows you the number on the screen, you scan, and it's done. This eliminates the language barrier for 90% of purchases.

Chinese hand signals for numbers. Locals use one hand to count 1 through 10 with distinct gestures — thumb and forefinger extended for 8, all fingers for 10, etc. Learn these (a quick image search before your trip), because vendors will flash prices at you with their hands in noisy food markets.

The universal "thumbs up" with a confused smile. When all else fails, this works remarkably well. Chinese culture interprets a thumbs-up as approval and positivity, and a self-aware smile signals "I know I'm a foreigner who has no idea what's happening." You'll get help more often than you'd expect.