Chinese 中文
How to check into a hotel in Chinese
The short answer
To check in, say 我要辦理入住 (我要办理入住) wǒ yào bànlǐ rùzhù and show your passport and booking. This page lists the phrases for reservations, deposits, Wi-Fi, breakfast and checkout, in Traditional and Simplified characters with Pinyin.
Checking into a hotel in Chinese is a short, predictable script. You say you want to check in, hand over your passport, answer three or four questions, pay a deposit and receive a key card. The whole exchange uses perhaps thirty words, and the receptionist says most of them.
The tables below give every line of that script in Traditional characters, with Simplified in brackets where the two differ, then Pinyin with tone marks and English. The tones of 一 (yī) and 不 (bù) are written as they are actually pronounced in each phrase. If tone marks still look like decoration to you, read the guides to Pinyin and tones first.
How to say "check in" in Chinese
The verb is 入住 (rùzhù), literally "enter and stay". The polite full form is 辦理入住 (办理入住) bànlǐ rùzhù, "to handle the check-in". Checking out is 退房 (tuìfáng), "to return the room".
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 你好，我要辦理入住。(你好，我要办理入住。) | Nǐ hǎo, wǒ yào bànlǐ rùzhù. | Hello, I would like to check in. |
| 我有預訂。(我有预订。) | Wǒ yǒu yùdìng. | I have a reservation. |
| 訂房的名字是…… (订房的名字是……) | Dìngfáng de míngzi shì… | The booking is under the name… |
| 我是在網上訂的。(我是在网上订的。) | Wǒ shì zài wǎngshàng dìng de. | I booked online. |
| 我訂了一間雙人房，住三晚。(我订了一间双人房，住三晚。) | Wǒ dìng le yì jiān shuāngrénfáng, zhù sān wǎn. | I booked a double room for three nights. |
| 我沒有預訂，還有房間嗎？(我没有预订，还有房间吗？) | Wǒ méiyǒu yùdìng, hái yǒu fángjiān ma? | I have no reservation. Do you still have rooms? |
| 一個晚上多少錢？(一个晚上多少钱？) | Yí ge wǎnshang duōshao qián? | How much is it per night? |
| 可以提早入住嗎？(可以提早入住吗？) | Kěyǐ tízǎo rùzhù ma? | Can I check in early? |
| 可以先寄放行李嗎？(可以先寄放行李吗？) | Kěyǐ xiān jìfàng xíngli ma? | Can I leave my luggage here first? |
The old habit of opening with "my name is" and a reservation number is rarely needed. Staff find the booking from your passport, so the passport is the real opening line.
What hotel staff say at check-in, and how to answer
Most of the stress at a front desk comes from not recognising the questions. There are only about eight of them.
| The receptionist says | Pinyin | Meaning | You answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 請問有預訂嗎？(请问有预订吗？) | Qǐngwèn yǒu yùdìng ma? | Do you have a reservation? | 有。Yǒu. (Yes.) / 沒有。(没有。) Méiyǒu. (No.) |
| 請出示您的護照。(请出示您的护照。) | Qǐng chūshì nín de hùzhào. | Your passport, please. | 好的，給你。(好的，给你。) Hǎo de, gěi nǐ. (Sure, here you are.) |
| 您貴姓？(您贵姓？) | Nín guìxìng? | What is your surname? | 我姓…… Wǒ xìng… (My surname is…) |
| 幾位？(几位？) | Jǐ wèi? | How many guests? | 兩位。(两位。) Liǎng wèi. (Two.) |
| 住幾晚？(住几晚？) | Zhù jǐ wǎn? | How many nights? | 住兩晚。(住两晚。) Zhù liǎng wǎn. (Two nights.) |
| 請付押金。(请付押金。) | Qǐng fù yājīn. | Please pay the deposit. | 可以刷卡嗎？(可以刷卡吗？) Kěyǐ shuākǎ ma? (Can I pay by card?) |
| 請在這裡簽名。(请在这里签名。) | Qǐng zài zhèlǐ qiānmíng. | Please sign here. | 好的。Hǎo de. (OK.) |
| 這是您的房卡。(这是您的房卡。) | Zhè shì nín de fángkǎ. | Here is your key card. | 謝謝。(谢谢。) Xièxie. (Thank you.) |
| 早餐在二樓，七點到十點。(早餐在二楼，七点到十点。) | Zǎocān zài èr lóu, qī diǎn dào shí diǎn. | Breakfast is on the second floor, seven to ten. | 好的，謝謝。(好的，谢谢。) Hǎo de, xièxie. |
Two rescue phrases cover everything else: 請說慢一點 (请说慢一点) qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn, "please speak more slowly", and 我聽不懂 (我听不懂) wǒ tīng bu dǒng, "I do not understand".
Passport, deposit and payment
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 這是我的護照。(这是我的护照。) | Zhè shì wǒ de hùzhào. | Here is my passport. |
| 護照 (护照) | hùzhào | passport |
| 簽證 (签证) | qiānzhèng | visa |
| 押金 | yājīn | deposit |
| 押金多少錢？(押金多少钱？) | Yājīn duōshao qián? | How much is the deposit? |
| 押金什麼時候退？(押金什么时候退？) | Yājīn shénme shíhou tuì? | When is the deposit refunded? |
| 可以用信用卡嗎？(可以用信用卡吗？) | Kěyǐ yòng xìnyòngkǎ ma? | Can I use a credit card? |
| 可以用支付寶或微信嗎？(可以用支付宝或微信吗？) | Kěyǐ yòng Zhīfùbǎo huò Wēixìn ma? | Can I use Alipay or WeChat? |
| 我付現金。(我付现金。) | Wǒ fù xiànjīn. | I will pay cash. |
| 請給我發票。(请给我发票。) | Qǐng gěi wǒ fāpiào. | Please give me a receipt. |
The ID word needs care. 身分證 (Taiwan spelling) or 身份证 (mainland spelling), shēnfènzhèng, is the national identity card that citizens carry. As a visitor you do not have one. If staff ask for it, answer 我沒有身分證，我用護照 (我没有身份证，我用护照) wǒ méiyǒu shēnfènzhèng, wǒ yòng hùzhào: "I have no ID card, I use my passport."
Registration in mainland China
In mainland China the hotel registers every foreign guest with the local police, which is why the receptionist scans the photo page and often the visa or entry stamp too. Bring the physical passport: a photo on your phone is not enough. If you stay in a private flat instead, the law expects you or your host to register at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival.
In May 2024 the Chinese authorities stated that hotels may not turn foreign guests away for lacking a special "foreign-related" licence, as the Shanghai government's English portal reported. Small budget places can still be slow with the registration system, so allow a few extra minutes. A deposit, 押金, is routine in the mainland and is either paid in cash or held on a card, then returned at checkout.
During your stay: room requests, Wi-Fi and problems
Room requests
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 我要一張大床。(我要一张大床。) | Wǒ yào yì zhāng dà chuáng. | I want one large bed. |
| 我要兩張床。(我要两张床。) | Wǒ yào liǎng zhāng chuáng. | I want two beds. |
| 我想要一間安靜的房間。(我想要一间安静的房间。) | Wǒ xiǎng yào yì jiān ānjìng de fángjiān. | I would like a quiet room. |
| 有高一點的樓層嗎？(有高一点的楼层吗？) | Yǒu gāo yìdiǎn de lóucéng ma? | Is there a room on a higher floor? |
| 有禁菸房嗎？(有禁烟房吗？) | Yǒu jìnyān fáng ma? | Do you have a non-smoking room? |
| 可以加一張床嗎？(可以加一张床吗？) | Kěyǐ jiā yì zhāng chuáng ma? | Can you add an extra bed? |
| 可以換房間嗎？(可以换房间吗？) | Kěyǐ huàn fángjiān ma? | Can I change rooms? |
| 可以多給我一條毛巾嗎？(可以多给我一条毛巾吗？) | Kěyǐ duō gěi wǒ yì tiáo máojīn ma? | Could I have an extra towel? |
| 可以再給我一個枕頭嗎？(可以再给我一个枕头吗？) | Kěyǐ zài gěi wǒ yí ge zhěntou ma? | Could I have another pillow? |
| 電梯在哪裡？(电梯在哪里？) | Diàntī zài nǎlǐ? | Where is the lift? |
Bed vocabulary is a classic trap. On mainland booking sites 大床房 (dàchuángfáng) is a room with one large bed and 雙床房 (双床房) shuāngchuángfáng is a twin. 雙人房 (双人房) shuāngrénfáng only promises space for two people, so say how many beds you want.
How to ask for the Wi-Fi password and breakfast
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 有 Wi-Fi 嗎？(有 Wi-Fi 吗？) | Yǒu Wi-Fi ma? | Is there Wi-Fi? |
| Wi-Fi 密碼是多少？(Wi-Fi 密码是多少？) | Wi-Fi mìmǎ shì duōshao? | What is the Wi-Fi password? |
| 我連不上網。(我连不上网。) | Wǒ lián bu shàng wǎng. | I cannot get online. |
| 房價包含早餐嗎？(房价包含早餐吗？) | Fángjià bāohán zǎocān ma? | Does the room rate include breakfast? |
| 早餐幾點開始？(早餐几点开始？) | Zǎocān jǐ diǎn kāishǐ? | What time does breakfast start? |
| 早餐在哪裡吃？(早餐在哪里吃？) | Zǎocān zài nǎlǐ chī? | Where is breakfast served? |
| 有素食嗎？(有素食吗？) | Yǒu sùshí ma? | Is there vegetarian food? |
Nobody translates "Wi-Fi". Say it as in English and add 密碼 (密码) mìmǎ, "password". The answer usually involves the room number, 房間號 (房间号) fángjiān hào, so revise your numbers before you revise anything else.
When something goes wrong
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 空調壞了。(空调坏了。) | Kōngtiáo huài le. | The air conditioning is broken. |
| 沒有熱水。(没有热水。) | Méiyǒu rèshuǐ. | There is no hot water. |
| 燈不亮。(灯不亮。) | Dēng bú liàng. | The light does not work. |
| 馬桶不通。(马桶不通。) | Mǎtǒng bù tōng. | The toilet is blocked. |
| 房卡打不開門。(房卡打不开门。) | Fángkǎ dǎ bu kāi mén. | The key card will not open the door. |
| 我把房卡忘在房間裡了。(我把房卡忘在房间里了。) | Wǒ bǎ fángkǎ wàng zài fángjiān lǐ le. | I left my key card in the room. |
| 隔壁太吵了。 | Gébì tài chǎo le. | Next door is too noisy. |
| 房間還沒打掃。(房间还没打扫。) | Fángjiān hái méi dǎsǎo. | The room has not been cleaned. |
| 請派人來看一下。(请派人来看一下。) | Qǐng pài rén lái kàn yíxià. | Please send someone to have a look. |
The pattern is simple: name the thing, then add 壞了 (坏了) huài le, "is broken". Kungfucius notes that this construction also describes most learners' tones after a long-haul flight.
Checking out
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 我要退房。 | Wǒ yào tuìfáng. | I would like to check out. |
| 幾點要退房？(几点要退房？) | Jǐ diǎn yào tuìfáng? | What time is checkout? |
| 可以延遲退房嗎？(可以延迟退房吗？) | Kěyǐ yánchí tuìfáng ma? | Can I check out late? |
| 我想多住一晚。 | Wǒ xiǎng duō zhù yì wǎn. | I would like to stay one more night. |
| 請退還押金。(请退还押金。) | Qǐng tuìhuán yājīn. | Please refund the deposit. |
| 帳單好像有問題。(账单好像有问题。) | Zhàngdān hǎoxiàng yǒu wèntí. | There seems to be a mistake on the bill. |
| 可以把行李寄放到下午嗎？(可以把行李寄放到下午吗？) | Kěyǐ bǎ xíngli jìfàng dào xiàwǔ ma? | Can I leave my luggage until the afternoon? |
| 請幫我叫一輛計程車。(请帮我叫一辆计程车。) | Qǐng bāng wǒ jiào yí liàng jìchéngchē. | Please call me a taxi. |
Mainland China and Taiwan use different hotel words
Every phrase above is understood in both places, but some everyday nouns change at the border. The script changes too: Simplified in the mainland, Traditional in Taiwan.
| English | Mainland China | Taiwan |
|---|---|---|
| hotel | 酒店 jiǔdiàn, 賓館 (宾馆) bīnguǎn | 飯店 (饭店) fàndiàn, 旅館 (旅馆) lǚguǎn |
| front desk | 前台 qiántái | 櫃檯 (柜台) guìtái |
| ID card | 身份证 shēnfènzhèng | 身分證 shēnfènzhèng |
| taxi | 出租車 (出租车) chūzūchē | 計程車 (计程车) jìchéngchē |
| air conditioning | 空調 (空调) kōngtiáo | 冷氣 (冷气) lěngqì |
| internet | 網絡 (网络) wǎngluò | 網路 (网路) wǎnglù |
| metro | 地鐵 (地铁) dìtiě | 捷運 (捷运) jiéyùn |
押金 (yājīn) for "deposit" is the same word on both sides. What differs is the habit: mainland hotels ask for one almost by reflex, while in Taiwan it is far less of a ritual. In Taiwan you will also hear staff simply say "check in" and "check out" in English, mid-sentence, without apology.
What to do before you arrive
- Save your booking confirmation as a screenshot that shows the hotel name in Chinese characters. It helps the taxi driver as much as the receptionist.
- Practise four lines aloud until they are automatic: 我要辦理入住, 我有預訂, 這是我的護照 and Wi-Fi 密碼是多少.
- Learn to say your number of nights and guests: 一晚 (yì wǎn), 兩晚 (liǎng wǎn), 三晚 (sān wǎn); 一位 (yí wèi), 兩位 (liǎng wèi).
- Build variations for your own trip with the phrase generator, and if the next stop is Tokyo, the Japanese hotel check-in phrases follow the same order.