I don't speak Chinese
Show cards, a phrasebook with Wuhan dialect, and a phone that speaks for you.
Show cards
Hand your phone over. Every card is in polite, natural Chinese.
我不能吃辣，请完全不要放辣椒。谢谢！
I cannot eat spicy food. Please leave out all chili. Thank you!
我是素食者，不吃肉、鱼、海鲜。可以用蔬菜和豆腐。
I am vegetarian: no meat, fish or seafood. Vegetables and tofu are fine.
我不吃猪肉和猪油，请推荐清真或不含猪肉的菜。
I do not eat pork or lard. Please suggest halal or pork-free dishes.
我对花生严重过敏，请确认菜里没有花生和花生油。
I have a severe peanut allergy. Please make sure there is no peanut or peanut oil.
请给我推荐你们店最好吃的两个菜，中等分量。
Please recommend your two best dishes, medium portions.
你好，请问酒店可以接待外国客人、登记外国护照吗？
Hello, does this hotel accept foreign guests and register foreign passports?
我会在晚上很晚到达，请保留我的房间，谢谢。
I will arrive late tonight. Please hold my room. Thank you.
师傅，请送我到这个地址。我用支付宝付款。
Driver, please take me to this address. I will pay with Alipay.
请送我去汉口火车站，我要赶高铁。
Please take me to Hankou Railway Station, I have a high-speed train.
请给我开一张发票。
Please give me an official receipt (fapiao).
我迷路了，能帮我打电话给这个号码吗？
I am lost. Could you help me call this number?
紧急情况！请帮我打 120 叫救护车，我是外国人，需要英文帮助。
Emergency! Please call 120 for an ambulance. I am a foreigner and need English help.
我的护照丢了，请帮我联系最近的派出所。
I have lost my passport. Please help me contact the nearest police station.
Phrasebook
Greetings
你好nǐ hǎo · Hello
谢谢xiè xie · Thank you
不好意思bù hǎo yì si · Sorry / excuse me — Softer than 对不起; use to get attention too.
我不会说中文wǒ bú huì shuō zhōng wén · I don't speak Chinese
Eating
老板lǎo bǎn · Boss! (to a stall owner) — Used for any vendor, any gender.
来一份这个lái yí fèn zhè ge · One portion of this — Point at it.
不要辣bú yào là · Not spicy
微辣wēi là · A little spicy
我吃素wǒ chī sù · I'm vegetarian
不要香菜bú yào xiāng cài · No cilantro
买单mǎi dān · The bill, please
好吃！hǎo chī · Delicious!
Getting around
地铁站在哪里？dì tiě zhàn zài nǎ lǐ · Where is the metro?
请到这个地址qǐng dào zhè ge dì zhǐ · Please go to this address
就在这里停jiù zài zhè lǐ tíng · Stop here, please
多少钱？duō shǎo qián · How much?
可以用支付宝吗？kě yǐ yòng zhī fù bǎo ma · Can I pay with Alipay?
Help
救命！jiù mìng · Help!
请帮我报警qǐng bāng wǒ bào jǐng · Please call the police
我需要看医生wǒ xū yào kàn yī shēng · I need a doctor
厕所在哪里？cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ · Where is the toilet?
Wuhan dialect 武汉话
吃了冇？chī le mǎo · Have you eaten? (= hello) — Wuhan's everyday greeting.
蛮扎实mán zhā shí · Seriously good — Highest praise for food or anything solid.
过早guò zǎo · To have breakfast — Literally 'pass the morning'.
冇得mǎo dé · Don't have / none — Wuhan for 没有.
造业zào yè · Poor thing — Sympathy, e.g. for someone caught in the rain.
伢yá · Kid — 小伢 = little kid. Locals will call your child this.
Checked by GoHubei local editors · September 2026. Spotted a change? Tell us.