Learn Chinese for hotel check-in, a reservation, breakfast time, checkout, and room problems, with tone-mark pinyin and spoken examples.
A booking confirmation is the starting point at reception, not the end of the conversation. Staff may need the reservation name, the matching document, and an explanation of what you want next. Keep the confirmation open while you say 你好，我有预订. The useful detail is the name used on the booking, which may differ from a nickname you use in conversation.
Check in, then confirm what late checkout would cost
1 You arrive before your room is ready. You show the receptionist your booking.
You say
你好，我有预订。
nǐhǎo, wǒyǒuyùdìng.
Hello, I have a reservation.
The reply
房间还没准备好，行李可以先寄存。
fángjiānháiméizhǔnbèihǎo, xínglikěyǐxiānjìcún.
The room isn't ready yet, but you can store your luggage for now.
Say your next line, then compare
房间还没准备好 says to wait for the room. 行李可以先寄存 offers luggage storage during that wait.
Separate checking in, leaving luggage, and asking about checkout. Staff can store your bags while the room is being prepared. A yes to late checkout may have a condition attached. Listen for the status of each arrangement: your booking, room, luggage, and checkout time.
Start here when a reservation already exists. Show the confirmation. Use 我想预订 when making a new booking.
这是我的护照。
Use this when presenting the requested document. Match the name to the booking and let reception clarify anything that differs.
早餐几点开始？
This asks when breakfast starts. Use 结束 to ask when breakfast ends, and note both times if you are planning your morning.
几点退房？
退房 is checking out of the hotel. For going out temporarily, 出去 describes leaving the building or room.
What you might hear back
用什么名字预订的？
yòngshénmemíngziyùdìngde?
What name is the booking under?
Show the name on the reservation, not just the name you prefer to be called.
还没准备好。
háiméizhǔnbèihǎo.
It is not ready yet.
Ask about luggage or when to check again. 还没 describes a situation that remains pending. Ask when to return or where to leave your bags.
要加收费用。
yàojiāshōufèiyòng.
There is an additional charge.
Ask what the extra amount and conditions are before agreeing. Listen for the amount and conditions attached to the offer.
Reservations, luggage, and room problems
Finding the reservation under the right name
请问，您叫什么名字 asks who you are. Staff can use the answer to find the reservation, so show the spelling if pronunciation is difficult. 预订的名字是… means the booking is under that name. If someone else booked for you, identify the name actually on the confirmation. When asked for a passport, 这是我的护照 introduces the document. Keep the reservation details beside it so staff can match the records.
The room and the bags have different statuses
还没准备好 means not ready yet. You may hear it followed by an offer to store your luggage: 行李可以先寄存. 先 marks what you can do first while waiting. Ask when to return for the room if you need that information. Do not turn an estimated ready time into a guarantee. When collecting stored luggage, show any claim token or identifying information reception gave you.
Listen for the condition after 可以
In a late-checkout exchange, 可以 may be followed by 不过, but, or 要加收, an extra charge is required. Wait for the whole answer. 下午两点 gives a clock time; 两个小时 describes a duration. Use the clock time to arrange checkout and the duration to discuss how much later it will be. If you decide against an offer, 那我按原来的时间退房吧 politely keeps the original arrangement. Ask reception to confirm the checkout time and any extra charge for your booking.
Report the room problem before asking for a solution
空调坏了 reports a broken air conditioner, while 房间没有热水 reports no hot water. Add the room number or show your key card, then let staff ask a follow-up. 可以来看看吗 asks whether someone can inspect the problem. Staff may offer an inspection, repair, or room change. Ask what will happen next and confirm any proposed move.
Conversations
The reservation is under another name
Reception needs the name on the booking to find the reservation. Showing the booking gives reception a concrete detail to search.
A
Reception用什么名字预订的？
yòngshénmemíngziyùdìngde?
What name is the booking under?
B
You是我朋友订的，名字在这里。
shìwǒpéngyoudìngde, míngzizàizhèlǐ.
My friend booked it. The name is here.
A
Reception找到了，请出示护照。
zhǎodàole, qǐngchūshìhùzhào.
I found it. Please show your passport.
B
You好的，这是我的护照。
hǎode, zhèshìwǒdehùzhào.
Of course. Here is my passport.
No hot water in the room
Name the symptom and location, then ask for an inspection. This avoids jumping from a vague complaint to an unconfirmed room change.
A
You房间没有热水，可以来看看吗？
fángjiānméiyǒurèshuǐ, kěyǐláikànkanma?
There is no hot water in my room. Could someone take a look?
B
Reception请问，您住几号房？
qǐngwèn, nínzhùjǐhàofáng?
What is your room number?
A
You房号在这张卡上。
fánghàozàizhèzhāngkǎshang.
The number is on this card.
B
Reception好的，我请人过去。
hǎode, wǒqǐngrénguòqù.
Okay, I'll ask someone to come over.
Confirm your hotel arrangement
Staff offers to store your bags while preparing the room. Can you go straight to the room?
No. The permission concerns the luggage. Ask reception what to do next for check-in.
How does 早餐几点结束 differ from 早餐几点开始？
结束 asks when breakfast ends; 开始 asks when it begins. Confirm both if you are planning around breakfast.
You hear 可以，不过要加收费用. What should you ask before accepting?
The additional amount and the arrangement it covers. 不过 introduces a condition; do not stop listening at 可以.