8 Essential Chinese Phrases and Words a First-Time Traveler Should Learn
If ‘Travel’ is the one word that can excite every cell of you, new places would certainly be the next best thing. It has been a tough year for all the wanderers and travel-crazed people, who are eagerly waiting to embark on their new adventures. So, why not find out a thing or two about new places - just to increase the excitement of the waiting time.
Travelers, explorers, and people with a knack for new things are always eager for learning experiences. They love challenges. And a dare for them is the entire culture and, in particular, the language of China. The two major languages of Mandarin and Cantonese are two of the most complicated languages to learn.
TOP 8 Essential Chinese Phrases to Learn
Greetings
For any traveler, the most important phrase of a new language should be greetings. The few basic greetings of “Hello”, “Good morning”, “Good day”, and “Good night” should be the first things to learn before setting off on a trip.
Even in a language like Chinese, these phrases are easy to pick up and are helpful to approach a local if you need assistance.
Introductions
There is no real meaning in learning a new language if one cannot introduce themself. The phrases - “Hello, my name is...” or “Hello, I am...” are the basic requirements for any civil conversation.
If a traveler has to approach a stranger to ask for help, it's rude to start a question without even introducing oneself. That is why introductions in a new language are the first things one should learn.
The W-Questions
W-questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why are the basics. Forming sentences, especially in a language like Chinese, could be difficult for beginners. But when one is traveling, it can be a good idea to pick up the interrogative pronouns.
It might be of use when one asks for directions or has a small talk at a shop, perhaps ask for a number of something, or some other activity. Just learning the mere words can be beneficial for travelers.
Gratitude
No matter how new a language is to someone, it's a good idea to pick up the statements that describe gratitude. The most basic phrase, i.e. “Thank you” should be an easy task to learn in any language.
Source: mondly.com
When on the road, there might be multiple situations where one has to thank someone else. It would be rude if you nod or give a smile. Instead, a word to replace those actions can go a long way to establish communication.
Apologies
“Sorry” or “My bad”, perhaps “Please don’t mind” never hurt anyone. Therefore, when learning a new language, one should always keep a few phrases handy that help to apologize in case of any trouble one gets into.
When someone is trying to initiate a conversation in a new language, one should be aware that they could make a mistake while speaking. The words indicating apology are therefore essential to keep the conversation going.
Request
The word “Please” is probably one of the most significant words in the vocabulary of any language. It goes for asking about directions, asking the time, or inquiring what place one is standing in. Any conversation that starts with “Please” has an air of civility towards it.
In a new place, requests are the key to interact with the new public. Hence, a new language learner should pick up a few phrases that indicate requests. So, you'll have a trouble-free trip around a new place.
Information
In a new language, when someone wants to provide any information, one has to be as clear as possible. We all try to avoid confusion with the person they are speaking to. So, a few phrases that can give information are essential to pick up for travelers, as it helps them communicate.
Clarity is one of the primary factors of communication. If you struggle with writing texts, it is smart to request professional help at TrustMyPaper or SupremeDissertations, expert writing agencies.
Query
Anyone anywhere can have a question about anything. Alongside learning the basic Question statements, it can be a good idea for a new language learner to pick up a few other question statements. They could help to initiate or continue a conversation. This query may not just be out of need.
In certain cases, a query can be the key to getting to know someone or showing interest. Knowing how to make a query can prove to be the only thing standing between a stranger and a friend when it comes to a new place.
Looking Forward to the Trip?
China is a place to be for anyone who wants to see the future of the world in the making. Many people have many complaints about this beautiful country. However, they sometimes overlook the fascinating history and heritage, the astonishing culture, and the state-of-the-art technology that defines China.
For beginners, Chinese is not the easiest language to learn. But for anyone who wants to have a pleasant trip to this country, interaction with residents should make it to the To-do list. Communication with locals is like a window to another world and hence, totally worth the effort.
