https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/ New pages about speaking everyday Mandarin in China: situations, phrases and step-by-step guides. A first-person game for learning spoken Mandarin. You spend a week in a present-day Chinese city and learn the Chinese for each situation as it comes up. en Thu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/first-trip-to-china/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/first-trip-to-china/Ordering at a breakfast stall, asking for no chili, paying by phone, finding the metro and buying a train ticket.Who it’s forThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/visa-free-transit-china/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/visa-free-transit-china/A short stay between flights: showing your passport, leaving the airport, one night in a hotel and a day out.Who it’s forThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/china-trip-with-kids/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/china-trip-with-kids/Mild food, restrooms, drinks, photo requests, a tired child, and describing someone in a crowd.Who it’s forThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/solo-travel-in-china/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/solo-travel-in-china/Eating alone, sharing a table, a lost phone, a stomach ache, and being asked “by yourself?”.Who it’s forThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/business-trip-to-china/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/business-trip-to-china/The ride from the airport, hotel check-in, paying, small talk with drivers and toasts at dinner.Who it’s forThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/teaching-english-in-china/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/teaching-english-in-china/Your school works in English, but daily life outside it is in Chinese: questions from strangers, children, errands and evenings out.Who it’s forThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/study-abroad-in-china/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/study-abroad-in-china/For exchange and degree students: the everyday conversations outside class, from ordering milk tea to making friends.Who it’s forThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/freeze-when-speaking-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/freeze-when-speaking-chinese/For learners who recognise the words on a screen but cannot think of them when someone asks a question.Who it’s forThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/meeting-chinese-partners-family/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/meeting-chinese-partners-family/Bringing a gift, greeting the parents and grandparents, making dumplings, and saying you are full.Who it’s forThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/heritage-speakers-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/heritage-speakers-chinese/You follow the family conversation in Chinese but answer in English. This page is about practising the answers.Who it’s forThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/moving-to-china-for-work/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/moving-to-china-for-work/For expats and their partners: shops, markets, the pharmacy, a lost phone and the neighbours.Who it’s forThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/hello-in-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/hello-in-chinese/The everyday greeting, why its first syllable rises, and the greetings people use in the morning, in the evening and with older people.How to say it in ChineseThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/goodbye-in-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/goodbye-in-chinese/The standard goodbye, the everyday “bye-bye”, and the “take care” that shopkeepers say as you leave.How to say it in ChineseThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/thank-you-in-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/thank-you-in-chinese/The word for thanks, how its soft second syllable sounds, when to use it, and what people say back.How to say it in ChineseThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/no-thank-you-in-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/no-thank-you-in-chinese/The polite way to turn down drivers, sellers and offers, and why it sounds softer than a plain “don’t want”.How to say it in ChineseThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/excuse-me-in-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/excuse-me-in-chinese/What to say before you stop a stranger or after a small mistake, how it differs from a real “sorry”, and how people address strangers.How to say it in ChineseThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/how-much-in-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/how-much-in-chinese/How to ask a price, how to ask about one thing or a price per half kilo, and how prices are said back.How to say it in ChineseThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/this-one-in-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/this-one-in-chinese/The word for ordering food you cannot name: point, say it, then answer how many.How to say it in ChineseThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/no-spicy-in-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/no-spicy-in-chinese/What to answer when a cook asks if you want it spicy: none, a little or extra, and how to ask whether a dish is spicy.How to say it in ChineseThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/delicious-in-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/delicious-in-chinese/The word for tasty food, the different word for tasty drinks, and what happens if you tell a cook her food is not good.How to say it in ChineseThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/cheers-in-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/cheers-in-chinese/The word for cheers, what it means word for word, how a toast goes at a Chinese meal, and how to keep your glass small.How to say it in ChineseThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/i-am-full-in-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/i-am-full-in-chinese/What to say when your bowl keeps being refilled, why you may need to say it twice, and how to say “enough”.How to say it in ChineseThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/i-dont-understand-in-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/i-dont-understand-in-chinese/How to say “I don’t understand, please slow down”, and what people do when you say it.How to say it in ChineseThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/i-speak-a-little-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/i-speak-a-little-chinese/The modest answer to “can you speak Chinese?” and to praise, and how to say its tricky last three syllables.How to say it in ChineseThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/where-is-the-bathroom-in-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/where-is-the-bathroom-in-chinese/How to ask for the restroom, the polite word and the everyday word for it, and the short directions you will get back.How to say it in ChineseThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/i-have-a-reservation-in-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/i-have-a-reservation-in-chinese/What to say at a hotel desk, why the receptionist may ask for an ID card, and how to get them to take your passport.How to say it in ChineseThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/phrases/first-week-in-china/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/phrases/first-week-in-china/50 everyday Mandarin phrases, grouped by situation. Each has pinyin as it is said, English, and when to use it. Free CSV download.How to say it in ChineseThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/taxi-from-airport-in-china/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/taxi-from-airport-in-china/Turning down drivers at the exit, the taxi rank or a booked car, the driver checking your number, and small talk on the way.How to do things in ChinaThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/hotel-check-in-china-passport/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/hotel-check-in-china-passport/Saying you have a booking, being asked for a Chinese ID card, handing over your passport, the camera, the deposit and the room card.How to do things in ChinaThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/order-breakfast-in-china/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/order-breakfast-in-china/Point and say “this one”, answer how many, choose for here or to go, and pay by scanning the code on the counter.How to do things in ChinaThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/order-noodles-in-china/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/order-noodles-in-china/A small noodle shop: choosing how spicy, big or medium, ordering a drink, and answering when the cook asks if it’s good.How to do things in ChinaThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/night-market-in-china/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/night-market-in-china/Walking the stalls, asking if something is spicy, ordering by the skewer or the bowl, waiting for your number, and sharing a table.How to do things in ChinaThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/pay-by-phone-in-china/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/pay-by-phone-in-china/Linking a foreign card to Alipay or WeChat Pay, the two ways of scanning, and what cashiers ask at the till.How to do things in ChinaThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/convenience-store-in-china/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/convenience-store-in-china/The four quick questions at the till (heat it up, a bag, membership, a receipt), what to answer, and paying.How to do things in ChinaThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/take-the-metro-in-china/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/take-the-metro-in-china/Stopping a stranger politely, asking where the metro station is, understanding the answer, the security check and the gates.How to do things in ChinaThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/high-speed-train-in-china/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/high-speed-train-in-china/Buying a ticket with your passport, the ID check at the entrance, security, the departure board, finding your car on the platform.How to do things in ChinaThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/pharmacy-in-china/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/pharmacy-in-china/Finding a pharmacy, saying where it hurts, answering the pharmacist’s questions and understanding how often to take the medicine.How to do things in ChinaThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/visit-a-chinese-family-home/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/guides/visit-a-chinese-family-home/Buying fruit as a gift, greeting the family, tea, folding dumplings, being fed more than you can eat, and a toast.How to do things in ChinaThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/learn-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/learn-chinese/Eleven ways to learn Mandarin, from apps and tutors to games and living in China: who each one suits, what it trains, cost, time and the usual catch, plus plans for common goals.How to learn Chinese: every way, comparedThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/how-you-learn/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/how-you-learn/How a conversation in the game works, why it starts with speaking, why the pinyin matches what people say, and how review is spread over the week.How you learn in the gameThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/compare/duolingo-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/compare/duolingo-chinese/Duolingo is a daily habit on your phone for months. The game is one week of spoken Chinese in everyday situations. What each does better, and how to use both.How it comparesThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/compare/hellochinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/compare/hellochinese/HelloChinese is a full Chinese course on your phone, with characters, grammar and HSK levels. The game is spoken practice for one week of everyday situations.How it comparesThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/compare/pimsleur-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/compare/pimsleur-chinese/Both put speaking first. Pimsleur is a long audio course you can do without a screen. The game shows you the place, the person and the words.How it comparesThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/compare/games-for-learning-chinese/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/compare/games-for-learning-chinese/Six games on Steam that teach Mandarin, ours included: what each one is, how you learn, whether you speak, and who it suits.How it comparesThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/tools/pinyin-tone-changes/https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/tools/pinyin-tone-changes/A free tool: type Chinese and see how it is really said, with the spoken pinyin above each character and the textbook pinyin below.Pinyin with tone changesThu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT