CEFR A1-A2
Mandarin Airport Phrases: Check-in, Security, Boarding and Baggage
Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen and Taipei Taoyuan all run check-in in English and Mandarin equally. Beyond those, you are increasingly into Mandarin-default territory. These phrases cover the standard sequence and the situations where bilingual fluency thins out (regional airports, lost luggage, transit through smaller cities).
I am checking in for the [destination] flight.
Wǒ yào bànlǐ fēi wǎng [destination] de zhíjī shǒuxù. (....)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ jaʊ˥˩ pan˥˩li˨˩˦ feɪ˥ waŋ˨˩˦ tɤ ʈʂʐ̩˧˥tɕi˥ ʂoʊ˨˩˦ɕy˥˩]
wǒ yào bànlǐ fēi wǎng ... de zhíjī shǒuxù
'Zhíjī shǒuxù' (值机手续) is the formal term for check-in procedures. In casual speech 'bàn dēngjī pái' (办登机牌, get the boarding pass) is more common.
I would like a window seat, please.
Wǒ yào kào chuāng de wèizi. (窗.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ jaʊ˥˩ kʰaʊ˥˩ ʈʂʰwaŋ˥ tɤ weɪ˥˩tsɹ̩]
wǒ yào kào chuāng de wèizi
Aisle seat = 'kào guòdào' (靠过道).
How many bags can I check in?
Wǒ kěyǐ tuōyùn jǐ jiàn xíngli? (李?)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ kʰɤ˧˥i˨˩˦ tʰwo˥yn˥˩ tɕi˨˩˦ tɕjɛn˥˩ ɕiŋ˧˥li]
wǒ kéyǐ tuōyùn jǐ jiàn xíngli
Note the tone sandhi: two third tones in a row (kě + yǐ) means the first sounds like a second tone, so kěyǐ is pronounced kéyǐ. 'Tuōyùn' (托运) = to check in (luggage). 'Jiàn' is the measure word for items of luggage.
Where is the boarding gate?
Dēngjīkǒu zài nǎli? (登口?)
IPA [təŋ˥tɕi˥kʰoʊ˨˩˦ tsaɪ˥˩ na˨˩˦li]
dēngjīkǒu zài nǎli
'Dēngjīkǒu' literally means 'board-plane-mouth' i.e. boarding mouth/gate.
Is the flight on time?
Hángbān zhèngcháng ma? (航班?)
IPA [xaŋ˧˥pan˥ ʈʂəŋ˥˩ʈʂʰaŋ˧˥ ma]
hángbān zhèngcháng ma
Delayed = 'yánwù' (延误); cancelled = 'qǔxiāo' (取消).
I have a connection in [city].
Wǒ yào zài [city] zhuǎnjī. (...转.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ jaʊ˥˩ tsaɪ˥˩ ... ʈʂwan˨˩˦tɕi˥]
wǒ yào zài ... zhuǎnjī
'Zhuǎnjī' (转机) is the universal term for a connecting flight.
My luggage did not arrive.
Wǒ de xíngli méiyǒu dào. (李.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ tɤ ɕiŋ˧˥li meɪ˧˥joʊ˨˩˦ taʊ˥˩]
wǒ de xíngli méiyǒu dào
'Méiyǒu dào' is the standard negative past for arrival. Head to the airline's lost luggage desk ('xíngli guàshī chù', 行李挂失处) before leaving the baggage hall.
I need to fill in a lost luggage report.
Wǒ yào tián yí fèn xíngli yíshī bàogào. (填李遗.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ jaʊ˥˩ tʰjɛn˧˥ i˧˥ fən˥˩ ɕiŋ˧˥li i˧˥ʂʐ̩˥ paʊ˥˩kaʊ˥˩]
wǒ yào tián yí fèn xíngli yíshī bàogào
Note the tone sandhi: yī (一, one) becomes yí before a fourth-tone syllable (fèn). The airline will give you a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) reference number; keep it for tracking and insurance claims.
Where do I claim my baggage?
Xíngli qǔ chù zài nǎli? (李取?)
IPA [ɕiŋ˧˥li tɕʰy˨˩˦ ʈʂʰu˥˩ tsaɪ˥˩ na˨˩˦li]
xíngli qǔ chù zài nǎli
Used at the baggage hall in larger Chinese airports.
I have nothing to declare.
Wǒ méiyǒu yào shēnbào de wùpǐn. (申品.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ meɪ˧˥joʊ˨˩˦ jaʊ˥˩ ʂən˥paʊ˥˩ tɤ u˥˩pʰin˨˩˦]
wǒ méiyǒu yào shēnbào de wùpǐn
Use the green channel ('lǜ dào', 绿道) unless you have items to declare.
I am here on holiday for ten days.
Wǒ lái lǚyóu, dāi shí tiān. (旅, 十.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ laɪ˧˥ ly˨˩˦joʊ˧˥ taɪ˥ ʂʐ̩˧˥ tʰjɛn˥]
wǒ lái lǚyóu, dāi shí tiān
Useful response to immigration at the border. Chinese immigration officers may also ask 'lái gàn ma?' (来干吗? what are you here for?); 'lǚyóu' (旅游, tourism) is the standard short answer.
Where is the exit?
Chūkǒu zài nǎli? (口?)
IPA [ʈʂʰu˥kʰoʊ˨˩˦ tsaɪ˥˩ na˨˩˦li]
chūkǒu zài nǎli
Universal phrase at any airport, station or large building.
Regional notes
Mainland China
Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun and Shenzhen are the four mainland mega-airports. All have multiple terminals; check yours carefully. Domestic terminals run check-in in Mandarin by default with limited English; international terminals are bilingual. Allow significant time for security; mainland Chinese airport security is stricter than Schengen norms.
Taiwan
Taipei Taoyuan is the main international gateway. Bilingual Mandarin / English throughout. The Mandarin variety on the ground is Taiwan Guoyu, slightly softer phonologically than mainland Putonghua. Customs and immigration are gentler than mainland equivalents.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong International (HKG) runs primarily in Cantonese, English, and increasingly Mandarin. Most signage is trilingual. The Cantonese phrasing differs significantly from Mandarin (e.g. 'haa6 go3' instead of Mandarin 'xià yī ge' for 'next'); Mandarin phrases are understood but the local register is Cantonese.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
How do I ask if my flight is delayed in Mandarin?
'Hángbān yánwù le ma?' (航班延误了吗? Has the flight been delayed?) Status displays show 'zhèngcháng' (正常, on time), 'dēngjī' (登机, boarding), 'yánwù' (延误, delayed), 'qǔxiāo' (取消, cancelled).
What is the Mandarin word for liquids restriction?
'Yètǐ' (液体). The 100ml rule applies at major Chinese airports. Security may say 'yètǐ fàng chūlái' (液体放出来, take out the liquids) at the X-ray belt.
How do I ask where the duty-free shop is?
'Miǎnshuì diàn zài nǎli?' (免税店在哪里? Where is the duty-free shop?) The character form 免税店 literally means 'tax-free shop'. The English term 'duty-free' is loaned at many airports and also understood.