Handy Chinese Phrases

Affirmative responses:

  • 好啊!Hǎo a
  • 好主意哦!Hǎo zhǔyì ó

Sorry? What?

  • 什么?Shénme
  • 啊?A

I am very sorry or forgive me:

  • 对不起嘛!Duìbùqǐ ma
  • 不是故意的!Bùshì gùyì de
  • 不要生气嘛!Bùyào shēngqì ma
  • 原谅我,好吗?Yuánliàng wǒ, hǎo ma

Tasty:

  • 好好吃!Hǎo hào chī
  • 不错!Bùcuò

Is that correct?

  • 对吗?Duì ma
  • 对不对?Duì bùduì

Exclamation; e.g., “my God!”

  • 哇塞!Wasāi
  • 天啊!Tiān a
  • 不是吧?Bùshì ba

No; not correct:

  • 不是!Bùshì
  • 不对!Bùduì

Sorry, I’m not available:

  • 对不起哦,我没空!Duìbùqǐ ó, wǒ méi kōng
  • 不好意思哦,我没空!Bù hǎoyìsi ó, wǒ méi kōng

I’m at home:

  • 在家啊!Zàijiā a

See you next time:

  • 下次见哦!Xià cì jiàn ó