Learn polite phrases in Chinese for visiting a friend 礼貌汉语 —
1. Chinese greetings on arrival
你好。Nǐ hǎo。– Hello! (you + good)
你好吗?Nǐ hǎo ma? — How are you (you + good + ma)?
我很好。Wǒ hěnhǎo. — I am doing very well. (I + very good.)
请进。Qǐng jìn。– Please come on in. (Please + enter)
请坐。Qǐng zuò. — Please take a seat. (Please + Sit down.)
请问……。Qǐng wèn … — May I ask…? (Please + ask)
谢谢。Xièxie. — Thank you. (thanks + thanks)
不客气。Bú kèqì. — Don’t stand on ceremony. (No + guest + manners.)
2. Ask what you prefer to drink
啤酒 píjiǔ, beer
葡萄酒 pútáo jiǔ, wine (grape + alcohol)
红 葡萄酒 hóng pútáo jiǔ, red wine
白 葡萄酒 bái pútáo jiǔ, white wine
请问, 你喝什么?Qǐngwèn, nǐ hē shénme ? — What would you like to drink?
我喝啤酒。Wǒ hē píjiǔ. — I’d like to have beer.
我喝红葡萄酒。Wǒ hē hóng pútáo jiǔ. — I’d like to have red wine.
怎么样? Zěnme yàng ? — How do you like it?
对不起 Duìbu qǐ. –I am sorry.
没关系 Méi guānxi . — Never mind.
3. How to address people in Chinese: one’s surname + title / position:
先生 xiānshēng. = Mr. XXX (e.g.: Mr Zhang = 张先生 Zhang xiansheng)
太太 tàitài = Mrs. XXX
小姐 xiǎojiě = Miss XXX
老师 lǎoshī = Teacher XXX
4. What should you say before you leave the Chinese host /hostess?
太晚了, 我得走了。Tài wǎn le, wǒ dé zǒu le. — It’s too late. I’ll have to leave now.
再见。Zài jiàn. — See you later. (again + see)