If pronunciation is difficult, simply show the Chinese characters on your phone. Most people will immediately understand. It may also help to have mobile data while travelling. See our guide to using an eSIM in China, or for a full overview, check the Shanghai travel essentials guide.
TRANSPORT
Metro
地铁
dìtiě
Metro station
地铁站
dìtiě zhàn
Taxi
出租车
chūzūchē
Train station
火车站
huǒchē zhàn
Bus stop
公交车站
gōngjiāo chē zhàn
High-speed train
高铁
gāotiě
Airport
机场
jīchǎng
Airport Link Line
市域机场线
shìyù jīchǎng xiàn
Pudong Airport
浦东机场
pǔdōng jīchǎng
Hongqiao Airport
虹桥机场
hóngqiáo jīchǎng
If you’re travelling to or from the airport, see our guide on how to travel between Pudong Airport and central Shanghai.
DIRECTIONS
Where is the metro?
地铁在哪里？
dìtiě zài nǎlǐ
Where is the toilet?
洗手间在哪里？
xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ
I am lost
我迷路了
wǒ mílù le
Please help me
请帮帮我
qǐng bāngbāng wǒ
Left
左边
zuǒbiān
Right
右边
yòubiān
Straight ahead
直走
zhí zǒu
Here
这里
zhèlǐ
Over there
那里
nàlǐ
RESTAURANTS & FOOD
Menu
菜单
càidān
Water
水
shuǐ
Beer
啤酒
píjiǔ
Chopsticks
筷子
kuàizi
Bill please
买单
mǎidān
No spicy
不要辣
bú yào là
Vegetarian
素食
sùshí
Rice
米饭
mǐfàn
Tea
茶
chá
If you’re looking for places to eat, see our guide to where to eat and drink in Shanghai.
SHOPPING
How much is this?
多少钱？
duōshǎo qián
Too expensive
太贵了
tài guì le
Cheaper please
便宜一点
piányi yīdiǎn
I want this
我要这个
wǒ yào zhège
Do you accept Alipay?
可以用支付宝吗？
kěyǐ yòng zhīfùbǎo ma
Do you accept WeChat Pay?
可以用微信支付吗？
kěyǐ yòng wēixìn zhīfù ma
If you need groceries or daily essentials, see our guide to supermarkets in Shanghai.
HOTELS
I have a reservation
我有预订
wǒ yǒu yùdìng
Passport
护照
hùzhào
Room key
房卡
fángkǎ
Check out
退房
tuìfáng
Luggage
行李
xíngli
For accommodation recommendations, see our guide to hotels in Shanghai.
EMERGENCIES
Police
警察
jǐngchá
Hospital
医院
yīyuàn
Pharmacy
药店
yàodiàn
Call an ambulance
叫救护车
jiào jiùhùchē
I need help
我需要帮助
wǒ xūyào bāngzhù
COMMON CHINESE PHRASES TRAVELLERS SEARCH FOR
Chinese phrase for taxi in China
出租车
chūzūchē
Chinese characters for metro in Shanghai
地铁
dìtiě
Chinese phrase for train station
火车站
huǒchē zhàn
Chinese phrase for toilet in China
洗手间
xǐshǒujiān
Chinese phrase for “how much is this?”
多少钱？
duōshǎo qián
Chinese phrase for “I am lost”
我迷路了
wǒ mílù le
POPULAR PLACES IN SHANGHAI
The Bund
外滩
wàitān
People’s Square
人民广场
rénmín guǎngchǎng
Nanjing Road
南京路
nánjīng lù
Lujiazui
陆家嘴
lùjiāzuǐ
Jing’an Temple
静安寺
jìng’ān sì
Xintiandi
新天地
xīn tiāndì
Yu Garden
豫园
yùyuán
Shanghai Disneyland
上海迪士尼
shànghǎi díshìní
Many of these destinations are covered in our guide to things to do in Shanghai.
Explore more
Food & Drink | Supermarkets in Shanghai | Things To Do | Travel Essentials