Question

Asked by Mike from usa | Jun. 14, 2015 10:23

About:Chinese New Year

Is English commonly spoken in Beijing?

While visiting Beijing, is it easy to find English speaking Chinese vendors, restaurant workers, police personel, and business executives? Also what is the best Chinese phrase to use that explains that I do not speak or understand the Chinese language?

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Answers (2)

Answered by Alan | Jun. 14, 2015 22:46

4 1 Reply

Most of people in the places you mentioned only speak very simple English. For complicated ones, they won't understand. For business executives, they usually have a translator or interpreter. Anyway, can download a translation APP. Sometimes, it helps a lot.

To explain I don't speak or understand Chinese language", you can tell them 我不会讲汉语 or 我不懂汉语 （wo bu hui jiang han yu or wo bu dong han yu）.

4 1 Reply

Answered by Al | Nov. 16, 2015 09:26

5 8 Reply

On my first visit to Beijing I ask my hotel for a tour guide to show me around town. I was provided a beautiful women who spoke less than 20 words of English but she gave me a very interesting tour of the Forbidden City (we did get an English speaking guide), the Bell Tower, the Great Wall, shopping stalls and so many wonderful parks. She was kind, generous and proudly Chinese. I had a great time and had a much more insightful tour than I had ever imagined. After 3 more trips to travel China in the next two years, I married her. We now live in her home city of Wuhu (Anhui province in-land from Shanghai) and have traveled together to Laos and Tibet. Life is good despite language barriers.

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