Question 1

My payment app is blocked in China — what should I say?

Accepted Answer

Show this to a local: 我的支付账户被限制了。我有现金，您能帮我扫码支付一下吗？ (Pinyin: wǒ de zhī fù zhàng hù bèi xiàn zhì le. I have cash. Can I pay you cash to scan for me?)

Question 2

A robotaxi broke down or the door won't open — how do I get help?

Accepted Answer

Show this: 这辆无人驾驶出租车坏了/门打不开，能帮我联系客服吗？ (Pinyin: zhè liàng wú rén jià shǐ chū zū chē huài le... English: Robotaxi issue. Can you help call support?)

Question 3

I have no signal on my phone in China — can I borrow a hotspot?

Accepted Answer

Show this: 我手机没信号了，能借您的热点发个消息/收验证码吗？ (Pinyin: wǒ shǒu jī méi xìn hào le... English: No signal. Can I borrow your hotspot?)

Question 4

A power bank rental machine is showing an error — how do I report it?

Accepted Answer

Show this: 充电宝机器报错了，能帮我打这个客服电话报修吗？ (Pinyin: chōng diàn bǎo jī qì bào cuò le... English: Powerbank machine error. Help call support?)

Question 5

How do I ask for the WiFi password in Chinese?

Accepted Answer

Show this: 请问这里的 WiFi 密码是多少？ (Pinyin: qǐng wèn zhè lǐ de wifi mì mǎ shì duō shǎo? English: What's the WiFi password here?)

Question 6

I have a severe nut allergy — how do I warn people in China?

Accepted Answer

Show this immediately: 我对花生和坚果严重过敏，误食会致命！请确保没有。 (Pinyin: wǒ duì huā shēng hé jiān guǒ yán zhòng guò mǐn! English: SEVERE NUT ALLERGY. Fatal if eaten!) In a medical emergency call 120.

Question 7

I need an ambulance in China — what number do I call?

Accepted Answer

Call 120 for an ambulance and show this: 我感觉很不舒服，需要去医院急诊，能帮我叫救护车吗？ (Pinyin: wǒ gǎn jué hěn bù shū fú... English: I feel ill. Please call an ambulance.)

Question 8

How do I ask whether a dish is vegan (no lard, meat or dairy)?

Accepted Answer

Show this: 我不吃猪油，不吃肉蛋奶。请问这个是全素的吗？ (Pinyin: wǒ bù chī zhū yóu, bù chī ròu. shì chún sù de ma? English: No lard/meat/dairy. Is this vegan?)

Question 9

Where can I find a pharmacy for fever medicine?

Accepted Answer

Show this: 请问最近的药店在哪里？我需要买退烧药。 (Pinyin: zuì jìn de yào diàn zài nǎ lǐ? tuì shāo yào. English: Where is the pharmacy? I need fever meds.)

Question 10

How do I show a taxi driver my destination address?

Accepted Answer

Show this: 我要去这个地址，能帮我给司机看下地图吗？ (Pinyin: wǒ yào qù zhè ge dì fǐ... English: Show this address to my driver.)

Question 11

Which platform is my train on — how do I ask in Chinese?

Accepted Answer

Show this: 请问这趟车在哪个站台？ (Pinyin: qǐng wèn zhè tàng chē zài nǎ ge zhàn tái? English: Which platform is this train on?)

Question 12

How do I ask which gate my flight is at, and where check-in is?

Accepted Answer

Show this: 请问我的航班在哪个登机口？值机柜台在哪里？ (Pinyin: wǒ de háng bān zài nǎ ge dēng jī kǒu? zhí jī guì tái zài nǎ lǐ? English: Which gate is my flight? Where is check-in?)

Question 13

Where can I store luggage for a few hours in China?

Accepted Answer

Show this: 请问哪里有寄存行李的地方？我需要放几个小时。 (Pinyin: qǐng wèn nǎ lǐ kě yǐ jì cún xíng lǐ? English: Where can I store my luggage?)

Question 14

How do I ask where the nearest public toilet is?

Accepted Answer

Show this: 请问最近的公共厕所在哪里？ (Pinyin: qǐng wèn zuì jìn de gōng gòng cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ? English: Where is the public toilet?)

Question 15

I want a simple short haircut — how do I explain it in Chinese?

Accepted Answer

Show this: 我不想要这种发型，请帮我简单剪短一点就好。 (Pinyin: wǒ bù xiǎng yào zhè zhǒng fà xíng, jiǎn duǎn. English: Just cut it shorter, no styling.)

Question 16

My passport is lost in China — what should I do?

Accepted Answer

Call the police on 110, then show this: 我的护照丢了，能帮我报警并联系最近的出入境管理局吗？ (Pinyin: wǒ de hù zhào diū le, néng bāng wǒ bào jǐng ma? English: My passport is lost. Please help me call the police and find the nearest immigration office.)

Question 17

My hotel room's hot water or air conditioning is broken — how do I ask for help?

Accepted Answer

Show this at the front desk: 我房间的热水/空调坏了，能帮我联系前台吗？ (Pinyin: wǒ fáng jiān de rè shuǐ kōng tiáo huài le, néng bāng wǒ lián xì qián tái ma? English: My room's hot water/AC isn't working. Can you call the front desk for me?)

China Survival Hub

01 Digital & Tech SOS

02 Health & Emergency

03 Getting Around

04 Everyday Help

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