Many Chinese learners would love to travel to China so that they can practice their Mandarin. But one major obstacle is the actual travel itself. It can be frightening to go to a place one has never been to before, especially if the language spoken is different. Sudden needs or emergencies could crop up, and when they do, the language barrier can become an issue.
The airport is the hub of most international travel. From check-ins to transfers and boarding, for each step it will be helpful to know the common Chinese vocabulary and sentences that are most used. Below are some of the most common Chinese words and expressions used at airports.
| CHINESE | PINYIN | ENGLISH |
| 国际机场 | guójì jīchǎng | international airport |
| 国际出发 | guójì chūfā | international departure |
| 国内机场 | guónèi jīchǎng | domestic airport |
| 国内出发 | guónèi chūfā | domestic departure |
| 购票处 | gòu piào chù | ticket office |
| 办理登机手续 | bànlǐ dēng jī shǒuxù | check-in |
| 登机牌 | dēng jī pái | boarding pass |
| 登机口 | dēng jī kǒu | departure gate |
| 行李托运 | xínglǐ tuōyùn | check in luggage |
| 行李领取处 | xínglǐ lǐngqǔ chù | luggage claim; baggage claim |
| 候机楼 | hòu jī lóu | airport terminal |
| 候机室 | hòu jī shì | departure lounge |
| 贵宾室 | guìbīn shì | V.I.P. room |
| 中转处 | zhōngzhuǎn chù | transfer correspondence / transit |
| 海关 | hǎiguān | Customs |
| 免税店 | miǎnshuì diàn | duty-free shop |
| 货币兑换处 | huòbì duìhuàn chù | money exchange |
| 出租车乘车点 | chūzū chē chéng chē diǎn | Taxi pick-up point |
| 见面汇合处 | jiànmiàn huìhé chù | Meeting point |
| 延误 | yánwù | delayed |
| 取消 | qǔxiāo | Cancel |
| 航班号 | hángbān hào | flight number |
| 舱位 | cāngwèi | Class |
| 头等舱 | tóuděng cāng | First-class |
| 商务舱 | shāngwù cāng | Business class |
| 经济舱 | jīngjì cāng | Economy class |
| 日期 | rìqī | Date |
| 时间 | shíjiān | Time |
| 座位号 | zuòwèi hào | Seat number |
| 乘务员 | chéngwùyuán | Crew member |
| 飞行员 | fēixíngyuán | Pilot |
| 机长 | jī zhǎng | Crew commander/Captain |
Some Common Expressions at the Airport
请问，这是第几航站楼？(Qǐngwèn, zhè shì dì jǐ háng zhàn lóu?)
Excuse me, which terminal is this?
我的行李超重了吗？(Wǒ de xínglǐ chāozhòng le ma?)
Is my baggage overweight?
这个箱子需要托运吗？(Zhège xiāngzi xūyào tuōyùn ma?)
Does this box need to be checked?
我可以带这个上飞机吗？(Wǒ kěyǐ dài zhège shàng fēijī ma?)
Can I take this on board?
我可以改签吗？(Wǒ kěyǐ gǎi qiān ma?)
Can I change my flight?
我想换钱。(Wǒ xiǎng huànqián.)
I want to change money.
我是来旅游的。(Wǒ shì lái lǚyóu de.)
I`m here for travel.
我是来出差的。(Wǒ shì lái chūchāi de.)
I am here on a business trip.
这是我第一次来中国。(Zhè shì wǒ dì yī cì lái Zhōngguó.)
This is my first time in China.
附近有酒店吗？(Fùjìn yǒu jiǔdiàn ma?)
Is there a hotel nearby?
我不舒服。(Wǒ bù shūfu.)
I feel uncomfortable.
我的行李不见了。(Wǒ de xínglǐ bújiàn le.)
My luggage is gone.
我找不到我的行李。(Wǒ zhǎo bù dào wǒ de xínglǐ.)
I can not find my baggage.
我要一张电话卡。(Wǒ yào yī zhāng diànhuàkǎ.)
I want a sim card.
我需要上网。 (Wǒ xūyào shàngwǎng.)
I need internet.