Essential Tool
Xi'an Chinese Phrasebook
English is limited in Xi'an. These phrases are your survival kit. Tap any phrase to copy — show it to the driver. Tap the speaker icon to hear pronunciation.
Written by Wang Fang
Food & Culture Writer · Xi'an since 2020
Wang Fang grew up in Xi'an's Beilin District, inside the city walls. She has eaten at over 300 restaurants and street stalls across the city since 2020, keeping detailed notes on which shops are still good, which have declined, and which new spots deserve a visit. Her food recommendations come from paid visits, never from sponsored meals.
Pro tip
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Attractions — Show to Taxi Drivers
Qǐng dài wǒ qù Bīngmǎyǒng
Please take me to the Terracotta Warriors
Qǐng dài wǒ qù Chéngqiáng Nánmén
Please take me to the South Gate of the City Wall
Qǐng dài wǒ qù Huímín Jiē
Please take me to the Muslim Quarter
Qǐng dài wǒ qù Dàyàn Tǎ
Please take me to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Qǐng dài wǒ qù Shǎnxī Lìshǐ Bówùguǎn
Please take me to Shaanxi History Museum
Qǐng dài wǒ qù Huáshān
Please take me to Mount Huashan
Qǐng dài wǒ qù Zhōng Gǔlóu
Please take me to the Bell and Drum Towers
Qǐng dài wǒ qù Xī'ān Běizhàn
Please take me to Xi'an North Station
Qǐng dài wǒ qù Xiányáng Jīchǎng
Please take me to Xianyang Airport
Ordering Food
Wǒ yào yì wǎn yángròu paómó
I'd like a bowl of lamb paomo
Lái yí fèn biangbiang miàn
One serving of biangbiang noodles
Yào liǎng gè ròujiāmó
Two roujiamo (Chinese hamburgers)
Lái shí chuàn yángròu chuàn
Ten lamb skewers please
Lái yí fèn liángpí
One serving of liangpi (cold noodles)
Lái yì bēi suānméitāng
One sour plum drink please
Bú yào là
No spicy please
Shǎo fàng là
Less spicy please
Mǎidān
Check please / Bill please
Hǎo chī!
Delicious!
Getting Around
Dìtiě zhàn zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the metro station?
Dào chéngqiáng duōshao qián?
How much to the City Wall?
Qǐng dǎ biǎo
Please use the meter (taxi)
Wǒ yào qù zhège dìfāng
I want to go to this place (show map)
Zài zhèlǐ tíng
Stop here
Hái yǒu duō yuǎn?
How much further?
Shopping & Bargaining
Duōshao qián?
How much?
Tài guì le
Too expensive
Piányi yìdiǎn
A little cheaper
Kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?
Can I pay by card?
Kěyǐ sǎomǎ ma?
Can I scan to pay? (WeChat/Alipay)
Wǒ yào zhège
I want this one
Essentials & Emergencies
Nǐ hǎo
Hello
Xièxiè
Thank you
Duìbuqǐ
Sorry / Excuse me
Wǒ bú huì shuō Zhōngwén
I don't speak Chinese
Nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma?
Do you speak English?
Qǐng bāngbang wǒ
Please help me
Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the bathroom?
Wǒ xūyào qù yīyuàn
I need to go to a hospital
Wǒ de hùzhào diū le
I lost my passport
Quick Numbers Reference
一
yī
二
èr
三
sān
四
sì
五
wǔ
六
liù
七
qī
八
bā
九
jiǔ
十
shí
How to Use These Phrases
Pronunciation: Show the Chinese text — pointing is faster than speaking. Locals will read the characters.
Tones: Context matters more than perfect tones. At a restaurant pointing at a menu, people will understand.
The most useful phrase: Zhe ge (this one) + pointing works for most transactions.