Situations · 16 phrases · 3 min read
Greetings and meetings
First meetings in China follow a small set of rituals, and doing them roughly right matters more than getting every word perfect. These are the lines that carry them.
Saying hello
你好nǐ hǎohello
您好nín hǎohello, politelyFor someone older or senior to you.
大家好dàjiā hǎohello, everyone
好久不见hǎojiǔ bú jiànlong time no seeThe English phrase is thought to come from this one.
Introductions
我叫大卫wǒ jiào DàwèiI'm David
很高兴认识你hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐnice to meet you
这是我的朋友zhè shì wǒ de péngyouthis is my friend
您贵姓nín guìxìngmay I ask your surname?The polite form from day 3.
At work
这是我的名片zhè shì wǒ de míngpiànhere's my card
请多关照qǐng duō guānzhàoI look forward to working with you
请坐qǐng zuòplease sit down
辛苦了xīnkǔ lethanks for your hard workSaid to someone who has done something for you.
Leaving
我先走了wǒ xiān zǒu leI'll head off first
慢走màn zǒutake careWhat the host says as you leave. Literally walk slowly.
下次见xià cì jiànsee you next time
保持联系bǎochí liánxìkeep in touch
What nobody tells you
Two hands for a card
Business cards are offered and taken with both hands, turned so the other person can read them. Look at the card for a moment before putting it away, and do not write on it in front of them.
Names go family first
Chinese names put the surname first, so 王小明 is Mr Wang. Using someone's surname with a title, 王先生 or 王老师, is the safe choice until they invite you to do otherwise.