Six months into living in China, I bit into a piece of sugarcane and felt something crack that should not crack. That is the moment I learned how to say dentist in Chinese: 牙医 (yá yī). It literally combines “tooth” and “healer”, a tooth doctor. If you live in China long enough, you will need […]
When you move to a new city in China, one of the first relationships you’ll develop is with your neighbor. Knowing how to say neighbor in Chinese is essential for daily interactions, whether you’re asking for help, borrowing something, or just being friendly. The word is 邻居 (lín jū), and it’s a term you’ll use […]
How to say influence in Chinese? The word is 影响 (yǐng xiǎng), and it is one of the most useful words you will ever learn in Mandarin. Whether you are talking about a person who influenced your career, a movie that changed your perspective, or the way social media shapes modern behavior, 影响 is the […]
When I first started dating in China, I realized that how to say trust in Chinese was a word I needed far more often than I expected. The word is 信任 (xìn rèn). After twelve years in Tianjin, an HSK5 certificate, and an Intercultural Studies background, I have learned that 信任 is not just a […]
Need to know how to say locksmith in Chinese? The word is 锁匠 (suǒ jiàng), which literally means “lock craftsman.” You’ll need this word whenever you lose your keys, get locked out of your renting an apartment, or need to replace a broken lock in China. After twelve years in Tianjin, HSK5, Intercultural Studies background, […]
How to say vulnerable in Chinese? The most common word is 脆弱 (cuì ruò). Whether you are talking about emotional vulnerability, physical fragility, or cybersecurity risks, this word covers a wide range of meanings in Chinese. After twelve years in Tianjin, HSK5, Intercultural Studies background, I have heard 脆弱 used in hospitals, therapy conversations, tech […]
With twelve years in China, an HSK5 certification, and an Intercultural Studies background, I help people navigate real-life Chinese situations. Today, we’re covering a word every expat and traveler needs when settling in: how to say rent in Chinese. Whether you’re signing a lease in Shanghai, negotiating monthly payments in Beijing, or just comparing prices […]
If you have ever stared at a plate of peanuts or a spring picnic in Beijing and quietly hoped someone else would ask the question for you, this is the word that puts you back in charge. The word for how to say allergy in Chinese is 过敏 (guò mǐn), and it comes up constantly […]
Need to know how to say vegetarian in Chinese? The word is 素食 (sù shí), and you’ll use it every time you eat out in China. It literally means “plain food” or “vegetable-based diet,” which gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect when you ask for it. Whether you’re a lifelong vegetarian, […]
How to say landlord in Chinese? The word is 房东 (fáng dōng), which literally means “house master.” After twelve years renting apartments across Tianjin, I can tell you this is a word you will need sooner than you think. I have had landlords who became friends, landlords who tried to keep my deposit over a […]
If you’re traveling to or living in China, it pays to know how to talk about official institutions. The word for how to say embassy in Chinese is 大使馆 (dà shǐ guǎn), which literally translates to “Great Envoy Building.” This term pops up on signs, in documents, and in regular conversations all over China. Understanding […]
When you’re shopping in China or chatting with Chinese speakers, asking about prices and using numbers is just super useful. The most common way for how to say how much in Chinese is 多少钱 (duō shǎo qián), which literally means “how much money.” It works in almost every situation. You can use this phrase at […]
