Survival scene course
Social Chinese Phrases
Use these Chinese social phrases when making friends, exchanging contact details, talking about hobbies, and meeting new people.
These phrases help beginners move beyond hello into simple friendly conversation.
Start with the phrases that matter first
An introduction works best when it leaves room for the other person's reply. Learn a name, share one detail you are comfortable with, and ask a relevant follow-up.
In a real conversation
Notice how each speaker adds to the last turn. Returning a friendly expression is different from restarting the conversation with another hello.
nǐ hǎo, wǒ jiào ān nà.
Hello, my name is Anna.
wǒ jiào lǐ míng. hěn gāo xìng rèn shi nǐ.
My name is Li Ming. Nice to meet you.
wǒ yě hěn gāo xìng rèn shi nǐ.
Nice to meet you too.
How this scene usually goes
Making a new acquaintance in China follows a comfortable pattern. You introduce yourself with your name, and the other person does the same. The next questions are friendly and predictable: where you are from, what brings you here, how long you are staying. Nobody expects deep conversation at this stage; short honest answers with a smile are exactly right. Food and hobbies are the safest topics and always available. Before you part, there is one step that matters more than the conversation itself: exchanging WeChat. 可以加你微信吗 turns a five-minute chat into a contact you actually keep, and it is completely normal to ask. The phrases on this page take you through that arc, from 你好吗 to staying in touch.
Good to know
- Asking for WeChat is casual, not forward. Chinese friends and colleagues organize almost all social life there.
- Food, travel, and hobbies are useful small-talk topics. You may also be asked about age or family; you do not need to share private information. 不好意思，我不想说 (Sorry, I would rather not say) sets a clear boundary.
- If someone practices English with you, trading languages for a few minutes is a kind and normal exchange.
- Group photos are common at gatherings. 可以一起拍照吗 is polite, and people will usually offer to send you the photo on WeChat afterwards.
Common mistakes
- Do not only memorize 你好. Learn name, friend, WeChat, and happy to meet you.
- Do not ask too many personal questions before building context.
- Do not forget tones on words like 朋友 and 微信.
Quick practice
- Practice introducing your name.
- Practice asking about WeChat or phone number.
- Save three phrases you could use with a new friend.
Related scenes
Social Chinese FAQ
How do I say friend in Chinese?
Friend is 朋友, pronounced péng you.
Is WeChat useful to learn?
Yes. 微信 is a very practical word for social situations in China.
What social phrase should I learn after hello?
Learn 很高兴认识你, which means nice to meet you.
How do I ask where someone is from?
Say 你从哪里来？(nǐ cóng nǎ lǐ lái). Expect the same question back; 我来自… (wǒ lái zì…) starts your answer.
How do I say I like Chinese food?
Say 我喜欢中国菜 (wǒ xǐ huan zhōng guó cài). Food is the easiest topic to keep a friendly conversation going.
Advertisement
More useful social phrases
Keep learning
How to Introduce Yourself in Chinese: Exchange names and handle a follow-up about your visit or language learning.
Chinese Phrases When You Do Not Speak Chinese: Repair one missed number or word and ask for a useful alternative to repetition.
Chinese WeChat Phrases for New Contacts: Introduce yourself after adding a contact and clarify a meeting's time and entrance.
A first chat after exchanging names
很高兴认识你。Nice to meet you.
我也是。Me too.
Looking for a different word? Search the full practice library.