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Phrases

Useful Chinese phrases and what they really mean — pronunciation, usage, and cultural context.

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Chinese menu vocabulary and vegetarian ordering questions

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不可以 (bù kě yǐ): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

不可以 (bù kě yǐ): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

不可以 (bù kě yǐ) means may not.

不辣 (bù là): Meaning in English

不辣 (bù là): Meaning in English

不辣 (bù là) means “Not spicy”.

不是 (bù shì): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

不是 (bù shì): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

不是 (bù shì) means is not; no.

不行 (bù xíng): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

不行 (bù xíng): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

不行 (bù xíng) means will not do; will not work; not capable.

不要葱蒜 (bù yào cōng suàn): Meaning in English

不要葱蒜 (bù yào cōng suàn): Meaning in English

不要葱蒜 (bù yào cōng suàn) means “No scallions or garlic, please”.

不要蛋 (bù yào dàn): Meaning in English

不要蛋 (bù yào dàn): Meaning in English

不要蛋 (bù yào dàn) means “No eggs, please”.

不要肉 (bù yào ròu): Meaning in English

不要肉 (bù yào ròu): Meaning in English

不要肉 (bù yào ròu) means “No meat, please”.

不知道 (bù zhī dào): Meaning in English

不知道 (bù zhī dào): Meaning in English

不知道 (bù zhī dào) means “Do not know”.

菜单 (cài dān): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

菜单 (cài dān): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

菜单 (cài dān) means menu.

曾经 (céng jīng): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

曾经 (céng jīng): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

曾经 (céng jīng) means previously; once; a marker of past experience.

茶 (chá): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

茶 (chá): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

茶 (chá) means tea; the tea plant.

车站 (chē zhàn): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

车站 (chē zhàn): Meaning and Mandarin Pronunciation

车站 (chē zhàn) means rail station; bus stop.