The phrases and numbers worth having before you need them. Tap any card to copy the Chinese — then show it, or paste it into a chat. Screenshot this page for offline.
Say it, or show it
Phrases that get you through.
Filter by situation. Tap a card to copy the characters — handy to show a driver, a pharmacist, or a waiter when words fail.
Know these by heart
China's emergency numbers.
Free to dial from any phone, including without a SIM. For police, 110 operators in big cities often have English support.
110PoliceCrime, theft, emergencies
120AmbulanceMedical emergency
119FireFire & rescue
122Traffic accidentRoad incidents
12301Tourist hotlineMultilingual travel help
The hotel-address trick
Before you leave the lobby, screenshot your hotel's Chinese name and address (ask the front desk to write it, or copy it from your booking). Show it to any taxi driver and you'll always get home — even with zero signal and zero Mandarin. Do the same for the next place you're heading.