With the fantastic news that all hotels across China can accept foreign guests, now is the perfect time to brush up on your hotel vocabulary and learn some useful phrases. Here's what you need to know for a smooth hotel experience in China.

Hotel vocabulary for your next trip

1. Hotel

In Chinese, there are several terms for "hotel," each with its specific meaning and usage. Here are some of the most common ones:

酒店

jiǔ diàn

hotel

This is a general term for hotel and can be used for various types of accommodations, ranging from budget to luxury hotels.

宾馆

bīn guǎn

hotel

This term is often used for smaller, more affordable hotels or guesthouses.

青年旅舍

qīng nián lǚ shè

youth hostel

This term specifically refers to youth hostels, catering to younger travelers or backpackers.

2. Booking a hotel

When booking a hotel room (房间 fáng jiān), you'll encounter several important terms. Here are some of them:

预订 (yù dìng) reservation

单人间 (dān rén jiān) single room

双人间 (shuāng rén jiān) double room

含早餐 (hán zǎo cān) includes breakfast

入住时间 (rù zhù shí jiān) check-in time

退房时间 (tuì fáng shí jiān) check-out time

Tip

Using Chinese booking apps can be helpful, as they often offer cheaper prices and a wider range of options. Here are a few suggestions:

携程旅行

xié chéng lǚ xíng

CTrip

去哪儿

qù nǎr

Qunar

3. Checking-in

As you get ready to travel, let's learn some useful phrases for checking into a hotel.

01. Confirming reservation

Here’s how to inform the reception staff that you have a reservation when you arrive at your hotel:

您好，我预订了一个房间。

nín hǎo, wǒ yù dìng le yī gè fáng jiān.

Hello, I have a reservation.

02. Police registration

When you check in, the hotel will need to copy the main page of your passport, your visa, and your latest entry stamp for police registration (公安局登记 gōng ān jú dēng jì). Here are the keywords you need to know for this step:

护照

hù zhào

passport

签证

qiān zhèng

visa

Note

To verify your identification and complete the registration process, the hotel will request your passport by saying:

请出示您的护照。

qǐng chū shì nín de hù zhào.

Please show your passport.

03. Payment and deposit

You can use various payment methods such as WeChat, Alipay, or a bank card. If you want to request a specific payment method, you can ask:

我可以用……支付吗?

wǒ kě yǐ yòng……zhī fù ma?

Can I pay with____?

The hotel may ask you to pay a deposit:

押金

yā jīn

deposit

Note

Here's how this word can be used in Chinese:

我们需要收取押金。

wǒ men xū yào shōu qǔ yā jīn.

We need to collect a deposit.

04. Breakfast time

After completing check-in, you can ask about breakfast times by saying:

请问，早餐是几点？

qǐng wèn, zǎo cān shì jǐ diǎn?

Excuse me, what time is breakfast?

05. Late check-out

Usually, check-out time is at noon. If you need a later checkout, you can ask:

我可以延迟退房时间吗?

wǒ kě yǐ yán chí tuì fáng shí jiān ma?

Can I extend my check-out time?

In this phrase, "延迟 yán chí" means "to delay; postpone", and "退房 tuì fáng" means "to check out of a hotel room".

4. Hotel services

Here are some useful phrases for various hotel services along with examples:

01. Laundry service

洗衣服务

xǐ yī fú wù

laundry service

Example

If you want to use the laundry service at the hotel, you can ask at the reception:

酒店提供洗衣服务吗?

jiǔ diàn tí gòng xǐ yī fú wù ma?

Does the hotel provide laundry service?

02. Car service

叫车服务

jiào chē fú wù

car service

Example

Here is a phrase you might use when asking for a car service:

请帮我叫一辆出租车。

qǐng bāng wǒ jiào yī liàng chū zū chē.

Please call a taxi for me.

03. Wake-up call

叫醒服务

jiào xǐng fú wù

wake-up call

Example

To arrange a wake-up call service, you can say:

我可以预订叫醒服务吗?

wǒ kě yǐ yù dìng jiào xǐng fú wù ma?

Can I schedule a wake-up call?

04. Luggage storage

行李寄存

xíng lǐ jì cún

luggage storage

Example

If you want to use the hotel's luggage storage service, ask at the reception:

我可以寄存行李吗?

wǒ kě yǐ jì cún xíng lǐ ma?

Can I store my luggage?

05. Wi-Fi

无线网络

wú xiàn wǎng luò

Wi-Fi

Note:

Simply say "Wi-Fi" in English when asking for the password, and the hotel staff will understand you right away.

酒店的Wi-Fi密码是什么?

jiǔ diàn de Wi-Fi mì mǎ shì shén me?

What is the Wi-Fi password for the hotel?

06. Invoice/receipt

收据

shōu jù

invoice

Example

Here's a phrase for requesting an invoice:

退房时请给我收据。

tuì fáng shí qǐng gěi wǒ shōu jù.

Please give me an invoice when I check out.

 

Source: That's Mandarin