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Beginner Curriculum

Survival Chinese

生存中文

A practical 8-lesson path for absolute beginners who want enough Chinese to travel, ask for help, handle daily tasks, and sound more confident from day one.

这是一套给零基础学习者的生存中文课纲。目标不是一次学很多,而是先掌握最常用、 最能立刻派上用场的表达,让你在旅行、生活和见人开口时更有底气。

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Course Snapshot

Lessons

8

Core words

80

Speaking scenarios

24

Best for travelers, first-time learners, and anyone who wants a clear Chinese starter path before taking live lessons.

Travel-first vocabulary

旅行优先词汇

Learn the exact phrases you need for food, transport, hotels, shopping, and asking for help.

先学点餐、交通、酒店、购物和求助这些最容易立刻用上的表达。

Pinyin + real situations

拼音 + 真实场景

Every lesson combines pinyin, meaning, and three real speaking scenarios so the words stick.

每节课都把拼音、意思和三个真实对话场景绑在一起,帮助你真正记住。

Built to pair with live tutors

练习和真人课无缝衔接

Practice each lesson on your own first, then book a tutor when you want live correction and feedback.

先练熟,再约老师纠音和扩展表达,衔接会更自然。

Lesson by lesson

Course Outline

Back to all paths
Lesson 1

Hello, Please Help Me

问候和求助

Start a conversation, ask for help, and survive your first 10 minutes in Chinese.

学会开口问候、请求帮助,顺利度过最开始的10分钟。

Practice ThisPair with a Tutor

Core vocabulary

你好

ni hao

hello

我叫...

wo jiao...

my name is...

请问

qing wen

excuse me / may I ask

谢谢

xie xie

thank you

不客气

bu ke qi

you're welcome

对不起

dui bu qi

sorry

没关系

mei guan xi

it's okay

我听不懂

wo ting bu dong

I don't understand

请再说一遍

qing zai shuo yi bian

please say it again

会说英语吗?

hui shuo Yingyu ma?

do you speak English?

Real speaking scenarios

Meeting someone new

第一次见面

Introduce yourself, greet politely, and ask the other person's name.

学会做自我介绍、礼貌问候,并问对方怎么称呼。

Asking for help in public

在公共场所求助

Use short survival phrases when you're confused or need assistance.

迷路或听不懂时,用最短的句子向别人求助。

Repairing a breakdown

对话卡住时补救

Practice saying you don't understand and asking for repetition slowly.

当你没听懂时,练习礼貌地请对方慢一点、再说一遍。

Lesson 2

Numbers, Prices, and Payment

数字、价格和付款

Handle prices, quantities, and simple payments without freezing.

面对价格、数量和付款时,不再一下子慌住。

Practice ThisPair with a Tutor

Core vocabulary

一

yi

one

二

er

two

十

shi

ten

多少

duo shao

how much / how many

块

kuai

yuan / bucks

太贵了

tai gui le

too expensive

便宜一点

pian yi yi dian

a little cheaper

买单

mai dan

pay the bill

现金

xian jin

cash

刷卡

shua ka

pay by card

Real speaking scenarios

Checking a price

问价格

Ask how much something costs and confirm the number correctly.

练习问价格,并听懂对方报出来的数字。

Ordering multiple items

点多样东西

Use numbers and measure words to order more than one item.

用数量和简单量词表达你要买几样东西。

Paying and reacting

付款与回应

Handle the end of a transaction, including total amount and payment method.

搞定总价、结账和支付方式这些收尾对话。

Lesson 3

Ordering Food with Confidence

自信点餐

Order a basic meal, ask about spice, and make polite requests.

能点一顿基础餐、表达辣度,还能提出礼貌需求。

Practice ThisPair with a Tutor

Core vocabulary

菜单

cai dan

menu

米饭

mi fan

rice

面条

mian tiao

noodles

水

shui

water

不要辣

bu yao la

not spicy

一点辣

yi dian la

a little spicy

这个

zhe ge

this one

还要

hai yao

also want / add more

打包

da bao

take away / pack up

好吃

hao chi

delicious

Real speaking scenarios

At a small restaurant

在小餐馆

Use pointing, simple dish names, and spice preferences to order smoothly.

通过指菜单、说菜名和辣度,顺利完成点餐。

Changing your order

临时改需求

Ask for water, an extra bowl of rice, or less spicy food politely.

礼貌提出加水、加饭、少辣等临时要求。

Packing leftovers

打包剩菜

Finish the meal by asking to pack the leftovers and compliment the food.

吃完后学会打包并顺便夸菜好吃。

Lesson 4

Directions and Transportation

问路与交通

Find places, understand left/right, and take taxis or the subway.

会问路、听懂左右方向,并能坐出租车或地铁。

Practice ThisPair with a Tutor

Core vocabulary

左边

zuo bian

left side

右边

you bian

right side

一直走

yi zhi zou

go straight

路口

lu kou

intersection

地铁

di tie

subway

出租车

chu zu che

taxi

到这里

dao zhe li

to here

近吗?

jin ma?

is it near?

远

yuan

far

怎么走?

zen me zou?

how do I get there?

Real speaking scenarios

Finding a landmark

找地标

Ask where a station, hotel, or restaurant is and understand the reply.

问车站、酒店或餐馆在哪里,并听懂基本回答。

Giving a destination to a driver

告诉司机目的地

Tell a taxi driver where to go and confirm if the route is close or far.

跟司机说目的地,并确认路程近不近。

Navigating the last 200 meters

最后200米

Handle the final stretch with left/right/straight survival phrases.

用左右、直走等生存表达解决最后一小段路。

Lesson 5

Hotel Check-in and Requests

酒店入住与需求

Check in, ask for your room, and solve common hotel problems.

能办理入住、找房间,并处理常见酒店需求。

Practice ThisPair with a Tutor

Core vocabulary

预订

yu ding

reservation

护照

hu zhao

passport

房间

fang jian

room

房卡

fang ka

room key card

几楼

ji lou

which floor

热水

re shui

hot water

毛巾

mao jin

towel

Wi-Fi

wai fai

Wi-Fi

可以帮我吗?

ke yi bang wo ma?

can you help me?

退房

tui fang

check out

Real speaking scenarios

At reception

前台入住

Say you have a reservation, hand over your passport, and confirm the room.

告诉前台你有预订、递护照、确认房间信息。

Requesting something

提出需求

Ask for towels, Wi-Fi, hot water, or simple help in your room.

学会要毛巾、问 Wi-Fi、问热水等基本需求。

Checking out quickly

快速退房

Handle the final steps smoothly when you're in a hurry to leave.

赶时间离开时,也能顺利完成退房对话。

Lesson 6

Shopping and Simple Bargaining

购物与简单砍价

Ask about sizes, colors, and whether the price can come down.

购物时会问尺寸、颜色,也能尝试简单砍价。

Practice ThisPair with a Tutor

Core vocabulary

这个多少钱?

zhe ge duo shao qian?

how much is this?

大一点

da yi dian

bigger

小一点

xiao yi dian

smaller

还有别的吗?

hai you bie de ma?

do you have another one?

颜色

yan se

color

试一下

shi yi xia

try it on / try it

便宜一点吧

pian yi yi dian ba

make it a bit cheaper

太贵了

tai gui le

too expensive

我再看看

wo zai kan kan

I'll keep looking

我要这个

wo yao zhe ge

I'll take this one

Real speaking scenarios

Buying clothes

买衣服

Ask for another size, another color, or whether you can try it on.

练习问尺寸、颜色和能不能试穿。

Market-style bargaining

市场砍价

Use polite bargaining phrases without sounding aggressive.

学会礼貌地砍价,而不是显得太强硬。

Walking away and deciding

先看看再决定

Buy time, compare options, then come back and buy confidently.

先说再看看,比较之后再回来决定。

Lesson 7

Making Plans and Staying Connected

约时间与社交联系

Arrange a meeting, exchange WeChat, and keep the conversation going.

学会约时间、交换微信,并把社交对话接下去。

Practice ThisPair with a Tutor

Core vocabulary

今天

jin tian

today

明天

ming tian

tomorrow

下午

xia wu

afternoon

晚上

wan shang

evening

有空吗?

you kong ma?

are you free?

一起

yi qi

together

见面

jian mian

meet

微信

Wei xin

WeChat

加我

jia wo

add me

下次见

xia ci jian

see you next time

Real speaking scenarios

Making a simple plan

约一个简单计划

Suggest a time to meet and confirm whether the other person is free.

提议见面时间,并确认对方有没有空。

Switching to WeChat

转到微信联系

Exchange contact details and keep the conversation open for later.

交换联系方式,为之后继续聊天留一个口子。

Wrapping up politely

自然收尾

End a friendly interaction with confidence and warmth.

自然、友好地结束一段社交对话。

Lesson 8

Emergencies and Problem-Solving

紧急情况与解决问题

Handle urgent situations, ask for a doctor, and explain basic problems.

在紧急情况下能求助、找医生,并说清楚基本问题。

Practice ThisPair with a Tutor

Core vocabulary

帮帮我

bang bang wo

help me

医生

yi sheng

doctor

医院

yi yuan

hospital

警察

jing cha

police

我不舒服

wo bu shu fu

I feel unwell

疼

teng

it hurts

手机不见了

shou ji bu jian le

my phone is missing

我迷路了

wo mi lu le

I am lost

请快一点

qing kuai yi dian

please hurry

可以联系...吗?

ke yi lian xi... ma?

can you contact ...?

Real speaking scenarios

Feeling sick

身体不舒服

Explain that you feel unwell, where it hurts, and ask for a doctor.

说明你不舒服、哪里疼,并请求找医生。

Losing your phone

手机丢了

Tell someone your phone is missing and ask for urgent help.

告诉别人你手机不见了,并请求帮忙。

Getting unstuck fast

快速脱困

Combine your survival Chinese into one calm, practical response.

把所有生存中文串起来,冷静解决问题。

T105 update

10 Real Survival Lessons

Greetings, ordering food, taxi, directions, numbers, shopping, hotel, doctor, emergency, and goodbye.

Start Lesson 1

1. Greetings

Open lesson →

Dialogue: A:你好!很高兴认识你。B:你好,我也是。请问你叫什么名字?A:我叫大卫。你是中国人吗?B:对,我来自上海。

A: Hello! Nice to meet you. B: Hi, me too. What's your name? A: I'm David. Are you Chinese? B: Yes, I'm from Shanghai.

Keywords

你好 (nǐ hǎo)很高兴认识你 (hěn gāo xìng rèn shi nǐ)请问 (qǐng wèn)叫什么名字 (jiào shén me míng zi)来自 (lái zì)

Exercises

  • Introduce your name and where you are from in two short sentences.
  • Ask someone their name politely.
  • Say 'Nice to meet you' after they answer.

2. Ordering Food

Open lesson →

Dialogue: A:服务员,请给我菜单。B:好的。您想喝什么?A:我要一杯绿茶。B:还要别的吗?A:再来一碗牛肉面,不要辣。

A: Waiter, the menu please. B: Sure. What would you like to drink? A: A cup of green tea. B: Anything else? A: Also a bowl of beef noodles, not spicy.

Keywords

服务员 (fú wù yuán)菜单 (cài dān)我要 (wǒ yào)不要辣 (bú yào là)一碗 (yī wǎn)

Exercises

  • Order a drink and one food item.
  • Say you don't want spicy food.
  • Ask for the bill in a simple way.

3. Taking a Taxi

Open lesson →

Dialogue: A:师傅,去机场多少钱?B:打表大概八十块。A:大概要多久?B:不堵车的话四十分钟。A:好的,请打表。

A: Driver, how much to the airport? B: By meter, about 80 yuan. A: How long roughly? B: Without traffic, about 40 minutes. A: OK, please use the meter.

Keywords

师傅 (shī fu)机场 (jī chǎng)多少钱 (duō shao qián)打表 (dǎ biǎo)堵车 (dǔ chē)

Exercises

  • Tell the driver your destination and ask the price.
  • Ask how long the ride takes.
  • Ask to use the meter.

4. Asking Directions

Open lesson →

Dialogue: A:请问,地铁站在哪儿?B:往前走,红绿灯右转。A:远吗?走路要多久?B:不远,大概十分钟。

A: Excuse me, where is the subway station? B: Go straight, turn right at the traffic lights. A: Is it far? How long on foot? B: Not far, about 10 minutes.

Keywords

在哪儿 (zài nǎr)往前走 (wǎng qián zǒu)红绿灯 (hóng lǜ dēng)右转 (yòu zhuǎn)远 (yuǎn)

Exercises

  • Ask where the nearest subway is.
  • Ask if it's far to walk.
  • Thank someone after directions.

5. Numbers & Prices

Open lesson →

Dialogue: A:这个多少钱?B:三十五块。A:五十块可以吗?B:最少四十。A:好,我要两个。

A: How much is this? B: 35 yuan. A: Is 50 okay? B: Minimum 40. A: OK, I'll take two.

Keywords

块 (kuài)多少 (duō shao)便宜 (pián yi)两个 (liǎng gè)最少 (zuì shǎo)

Exercises

  • Ask the price of an item.
  • Say you want two items.
  • Ask if it can be cheaper.

6. Shopping

Open lesson →

Dialogue: A:我可以试穿吗?B:可以,试衣间在那边。A:有大一号的吗?B:有,我给您拿。

A: Can I try it on? B: Sure, the fitting room is over there. A: Do you have a larger size? B: Yes, I'll get it for you.

Keywords

试穿 (shì chuān)试衣间 (shì yī jiān)大号 (dà hào)刷卡 (shuǎ kǎ)发票 (fā piào)

Exercises

  • Ask to try something on.
  • Ask for a bigger size.
  • Ask to pay by card.

7. Hotel Check-in

Open lesson →

Dialogue: A:你好,我有预订。B:请出示护照。这是您的房卡。A:早餐几点开始?Wi-Fi密码是什么?

A: Hi, I have a reservation. B: Passport please. Here is your key card. A: What time is breakfast? What's the Wi-Fi password?

Keywords

预订 (yù dìng)护照 (hù zhào)房卡 (fáng kǎ)早餐 (zǎo cān)密码 (mì mǎ)

Exercises

  • Say you have a reservation under your name.
  • Ask what time breakfast is.
  • Ask for the Wi-Fi password.

8. Doctor Visit

Open lesson →

Dialogue: A:医生,我头疼,还有点发烧。B:多久了?过敏吗?A:两天了。我对青霉素过敏。B:先检查一下。

A: Doctor, I have a headache and a bit of a fever. B: How long? Any allergies? A: Two days. I'm allergic to penicillin. B: Let's examine first.

Keywords

头疼 (tóu téng)发烧 (fā shāo)过敏 (guò mǐn)开药 (kāi yào)预约 (yù yuē)

Exercises

  • Describe two symptoms.
  • Say how long you've felt ill.
  • Mention one allergy.

9. Emergency Help

Open lesson →

Dialogue: A:救命!我的手机丢了!B:别慌。我帮你报警。A:附近有医院吗?B:前面路口左转就有一家。

A: Help! I lost my phone! B: Don't panic. I'll help you call the police. A: Is there a hospital nearby? B: Turn left at the intersection ahead, there's one.

Keywords

救命 (jiù mìng)丢了 (diū le)报警 (bào jǐng)附近 (fù jìn)医院 (yī yuàn)

Exercises

  • Say you lost your phone.
  • Ask for the nearest hospital.
  • Ask someone to help call police.

10. Goodbye

Open lesson →

Dialogue: A:今天谢谢你的帮助。B:不客气,保持联系。A:再见,一路平安!B:再见,祝你旅途愉快!

A: Thanks for your help today. B: You're welcome, keep in touch. A: Goodbye, safe travels! B: Bye, enjoy your trip!

Keywords

谢谢 (xiè xie)不客气 (bú kè qi)保持联系 (bǎo chí lián xì)一路平安 (yī lù píng ān)旅途愉快 (lǚ tú yú kuài)

Exercises

  • Thank someone and say goodbye.
  • Wish them a safe trip.
  • Say 'keep in touch'.

Next step

Turn this outline into real speaking practice

Start with low-pressure repetition on your own, then book a beginner-friendly tutor when you want correction, accountability, and live conversation.

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