Guilin
Common Phrases
Sections
1. Greetings and Basic Phrases
These phrases will help you make a good first impression and show politeness.
| English | Mandarin (Pinyin) | Pronunciation Tips | Cultural Notes | |-------------|------------------------|-------------------------|---------------------| | Hello | 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) | "Nee how" | A standard greeting in Mandarin. Locals may also say "喂" (Wéi) informally. | | Thank you | 谢谢 (Xièxiè) | "Shieh-shieh" | Always express gratitude; politeness is highly valued. | | You're welcome | 不客气 (Bù kèqì) | "Boo kuh-chee" | Use this to respond to "thank you." | | Goodbye | 再见 (Zàijiàn) | "Dzai-jian" | A polite way to say farewell. | | Excuse me / Sorry | 对不起 (Duìbùqǐ) | "Dway-boo-chee" | Use this for apologies or to get someone’s attention. | | How are you? | 你好吗? (Nǐ hǎo ma?) | "Nee how ma?" | A friendly way to start a conversation. |
Local Dialect Note: In Guilin Hua, "你好" might sound slightly different, like "Néi hǎo," but most locals understand standard Mandarin.
2. Directions and Transportation
Navigating Guilin’s streets, buses, and scenic spots requires some basic directional phrases.
| English | Mandarin (Pinyin) | Pronunciation Tips | Cultural Notes | |-------------|------------------------|-------------------------|---------------------| | Where is...? | ...在哪里? (...zài nǎlǐ?) | "...dzai nah-lee?" | Replace "..." with the location name. | | Left | 左 (Zuǒ) | "Dzwo" | Useful for giving or understanding directions. | | Right | 右 (Yòu) | "Yo" | Pair with "turn" (拐, Guǎi) for "turn right" (右拐, Yòu guǎi). | | Straight ahead | 一直走 (Yīzhí zǒu) | "Ee-jur dzo" | Common when asking for directions. | | Bus stop | 公交车站 (Gōngjiāo chēzhàn) | "Gong-jyao chuh-jahn" | Public buses are a common way to get around. | | How much is the fare? | 车费多少钱? (Chēfèi duōshǎo qián?) | "Chuh-fay dwor-shao chyen?" | Useful for taxis or buses. |
Local Tip: Guilin’s taxi drivers may speak Guilin Hua, but they understand Mandarin. Have your destination written in Chinese characters to avoid confusion.
3. Dining and Food
Guilin is famous for its cuisine, including Guilin rice noodles (桂林米粉). These phrases will help you order food and enjoy local dining.
| English | Mandarin (Pinyin) | Pronunciation Tips | Cultural Notes | |-------------|------------------------|-------------------------|---------------------| | I want to order... | 我要点... (Wǒ yào diǎn...) | "Woh yow dyan..." | Replace "..." with the dish name. | | Guilin rice noodles | 桂林米粉 (Guìlín mǐfěn) | "Gway-lin mee-fun" | A must-try local dish. | | Is it spicy? | 辣吗? (Là ma?) | "Lah ma?" | Many dishes in Guilin are mildly spicy. | | No spice, please | 不要辣 (Bù yào là) | "Boo yow lah" | Use this if you can’t handle spice. | | Check, please | 买单 (Mǎidān) | "My-dahn" | Say this to request the bill. |
Cultural Tip: Sharing dishes is common in Chinese dining. Avoid sticking chopsticks upright in rice, as it resembles incense used in funerals.
4. Shopping and Bargaining
Shopping in Guilin, especially in markets, often involves bargaining. These phrases will help you navigate transactions.
| English | Mandarin (Pinyin) | Pronunciation Tips | Cultural Notes | |-------------|------------------------|-------------------------|---------------------| | How much is this? | 这个多少钱? (Zhège duōshǎo qián?) | "Juh-guh dwor-shao chyen?" | Use this to ask for prices. | | Too expensive | 太贵了 (Tài guì le) | "Tie gway luh" | A polite way to start bargaining. | | Can it be cheaper? | 可以便宜点吗? (Kěyǐ piányí diǎn ma?) | "Kuh-yee pyan-yee dyan ma?" | Bargaining is expected in markets. | | I’ll take it | 我要这个 (Wǒ yào zhège) | "Woh yow juh-guh" | Use this to confirm your purchase. | | Do you accept credit cards? | 可以刷卡吗? (Kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?) | "Kuh-yee shwah-kah ma?" | Many small vendors only accept cash or mobile payments. |
Local Tip: Guilin’s night markets are great for souvenirs. Bargain politely but don’t overdo it; it’s about finding a fair price.
5. Cultural Etiquette
Understanding local customs and etiquette is crucial for effective communication.
| English | Mandarin (Pinyin) | Pronunciation Tips | Cultural Notes | |-------------|------------------------|-------------------------|---------------------| | Nice to meet you | 很高兴认识你 (Hěn gāoxìng rènshí nǐ) | "Hun gow-shing ren-shuh nee" | Use this in formal or friendly introductions. | | I don’t understand | 我听不懂 (Wǒ tīng bù dǒng) | "Woh ting boo dong" | Use this if you’re struggling with the language. | | Can you speak slower? | 你可以说慢一点吗? (Nǐ kěyǐ shuō màn yīdiǎn ma?) | "Nee kuh-yee shwoh mahn ee-dyan ma?" | Helpful when someone speaks too quickly. | | I’m a vegetarian | 我是素食者 (Wǒ shì sùshí zhě) | "Woh shih soo-shih juh" | Useful for dietary restrictions. | | Cheers! (for toasts) | 干杯! (Gānbēi!) | "Gahn-bay!" | Common during meals or celebrations. |
Cultural Tip: In Guilin, as in much of China, respect for elders and hierarchy is important. Address people formally unless invited to use their given name.
6. Local Dialect and Pronunciation Tips
- Guilin Hua: While most locals understand Mandarin, Guilin Hua has a softer tone and some unique vocabulary. For example, "吃饭" (chīfàn, eat) might sound like "chīhǎn."
- Tones: Mandarin is tonal, so practice the four tones (high, rising, dipping, and falling) to avoid misunderstandings. For example, "mā" (妈, mother) and "mǎ" (马, horse) differ only in tone.
- Body Language: Smile and use gestures to supplement your words. Locals appreciate effort, even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect.
7. Resources and Costs for Learning
- Language Apps: Apps like Duolingo, HelloChinese, and Pleco are excellent for learning Mandarin basics. Most are free or cost $5–$10/month for premium features.
- Phrasebooks: Lonely Planet’s Mandarin phrasebook (~$10–$15) includes travel-specific phrases.
- Local Classes: Some language schools in Guilin offer short-term Mandarin courses for visitors, costing around ¥100–¥200 per hour.
- Online Tutors: Platforms like iTalki or Preply offer one-on-one lessons with Mandarin tutors, starting at $10/hour.
8. Tips for Effective Communication
- Be Patient: Locals may not speak fluent English, so use simple words and gestures.
- Carry a Translation App: Apps like Google Translate or Baidu Translate can bridge language gaps.
- Learn Key Characters: Recognizing basic Chinese characters (e.g., 出口 for "exit") can be very helpful.
- Smile and Be Polite: A friendly attitude goes a long way in building rapport.
By learning and using these phrases, you’ll not only navigate Guilin more easily but also connect with locals and enrich your travel experience. Enjoy your time in this beautiful city!