Very Chinese Time

Travelling with family

Chinese for a family trip to China with kids

Updated

With children in China, you need a few phrases a solo traveller does not. You order for several people, ask for food that is not spicy, look for restrooms often, and keep track of everyone in crowds. This page covers those phrases and how a family can practise them together.

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What changes with children

  1. Ordering for the whole family

    You order several portions at once, often where nobody speaks English. You need numbers, and you need to ask for food that is not spicy.

  2. Restrooms, often

    You will ask where the restroom is many times a day. Malls, metro stations and parks have public restrooms. Small shops usually do not.

  3. Strangers who talk to your children

    People may say hello to your children and call them 小xiǎo朋péng友you (little friend). Some ask for a photo with them. They mean it kindly. You can say no.

  4. Hot or cold

    Drinks often come hot unless you ask. Staff may ask if you want hot or iced.

  5. Tired legs

    Days in China can mean long walks, big stations and crowds. You need to be able to say that someone is tired.

  6. Someone wanders off

    In a crowded night market or old street, a child can lose sight of you. Describe the child’s clothes to staff or police. It is the fastest way to get help.

Phrases to learn

  • 有不辣的吗？ (yǒu bú là de ma?) Do you have a non-spicy one?

    Ask it at a stall or restaurant before you order for the children.

    They may say 有点辣。 (yóu diǎn là.) A little spicy. (Or they point to a milder dish.)
  • 三个。 (sān ge.) Three.

    Say the number when you order for the family. Show it on your fingers too.

    They may say 包子？要几个？ (bāo zi? yào jǐ ge?) Buns? How many?
  • 洗手间在哪里？ (xí shǒu jiān zài ná li?) Where is the restroom?

    Use it to ask where the restroom is, in a mall, a station or a restaurant.

  • 冰的。 (bīng de.) Iced.

    Say it when they ask hot or iced. Hot is 热rè的de (hot).

    They may say 热的还是冰的？ (rè de hái shi bīng de?) Hot or iced?
  • 不好意思，不行 (bù hǎo yì si, bù xíng) Sorry, no

    Say it to say no when someone asks for a photo with your child. To say yes, say 可ké以yǐ (OK).

    They may say 我们可以合照吗？ (wǒ men ké yǐ hé zhào ma?) Can we take a photo together?
  • 小朋友 (xiǎo péng you) Little friend

    Adults in China call children they do not know this. You will hear it more than you say it.

  • 累了 (lèi le) Tired

    Say it when someone in the family needs a rest. Not tired is 不bú累lèi (not tired).

  • 红色的帽子 (hóng sè de mào zi) A red hat!

    Use it to describe someone by their clothes. Change the colour and the item: 蓝lán色sè的de衣yī服fu (blue clothes).

The pinyin shows how the words are really said, as in the game.

Where to practise it in the game

The game is made for adult beginners, but a family can play it together. Every line shows pinyin and English, so a child who reads English can follow.

  • A lost child in the old town

    One evening, a small child has lost their mother in the crowd. You ask the child where she is and what she looks like. Then you find her from the description: the colour of her hat, her clothes and her shoes.

  • A child who wants a photo

    On the metro platform, a child says hello in English, asks if you are Chinese, and asks for a photo together. You take it with the game’s camera.

  • Food without the heat

    At the noodle shop and the night market, you are asked about chili. You can ask for a dish that is not spicy.

  • Panda reviews

    After each scene, a panda asks short quiz questions about the phrases you just used. You answer by saying the right card out loud. A family can play these together before the trip.

A pixel-art panda at a noodle counter asks “When you want extra spicy, you should say?” Three cards: 多放辣 (extra spicy), 护照 (passport), 不要辣 (no spicy).
A panda review: which card means extra spicy?

Practical tips

  • Everyone needs a passport

    Children need their own passports. Hotels register every guest, and train tickets are booked in each passenger’s name. Rules for babies and young children on trains are different, so check them when you book.

  • Put your number in their pocket

    Give each child a card with your phone number and the hotel address in Chinese. Agree on a place to wait if you get separated.

  • Carry tissues and hand wipes

    Public restrooms are easy to find, but some have no toilet paper or soap.

  • Bring a light stroller

    Some metro stations and old streets have many stairs. A light folding stroller or a baby carrier is easier than a big stroller.

Questions

Is China a good place to travel with kids?

Yes. Many families travel in China with children. Big cities have parks, malls and public restrooms, and people are friendly to children. The main problems are crowds, spicy food and language. 有yǒu不bú辣là的de吗ma (do you have a non-spicy one) and 洗xí手shǒu间jiān在zài哪ná里li (where is the restroom) help with the last two.

How do I say “not spicy” for my child in Chinese?

Before you order, ask 有yǒu不bú辣là的de吗ma (do you have a non-spicy one). If they ask whether you want it spicy, answer 不bú要yào辣là (no chili).

Why do people in China want photos with my children?

Foreign children get friendly attention in China, especially outside the biggest cities. Some people ask for a photo with them. They mean it kindly. To say no, say 不bù好hǎo意yì思si，不bù行xíng (sorry, no).

What should I do if my child gets lost in China?

Go to the nearest staff member, security guard or police officer. Describe your child by their clothes, for example 红hóng色sè的de帽mào子zi (a red hat) or 蓝lán色sè的de衣yī服fu (blue clothes). The police emergency number in China is 110.

Can children play Very Chinese Time in My Life?

Yes, with some help. The game is made for adult beginners. Every line shows pinyin and English, so a child who reads English well can follow it. Younger children can play with a parent who reads the English to them.