5 Small Talk Phrases in Chinese You Should Know for Everyday Conversations

However some of the Chinese small talk expressions people use may be different from what you expect. In this article we’ll introduce you to five popular and commonly used small talk phrases in Mandarin Chinese perfect for casual conversations and improving your conversational Chinese skills.

Small Talk Phrases in Chinese Questions About People

1. How have you been recently?

你最近怎么样?
Nǐ zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?
How have you been recently?

This is one of the most common Mandarin conversation starters used by Chinese speakers. It’s a great way to show care and initiate casual Chinese conversation. In this phrase “最近” (zuìjìn) means “recently” and “怎么样” (zěnmeyàng) means “how about.

You can switch “最近” with other time words like “今天” (jīntiān today) or “这几天” (zhè jǐ tiān these days) depending on the situation. If you’re learning Chinese greetings for daily life or practicing small talk in Mandarin this phrase is a must know.

2. Have you eaten?

你吃饭了吗?
Nǐ chī fàn le ma?
Have you eaten?

This is one of the most frequently used Chinese phrases when friends or colleagues greet each other especially in the afternoon.

Many foreigners learning Mandarin are surprised to discover that this phrase can essentially be equated with the English expression “How are you?”. It reflects how central food culture in China is to daily life. Whether you are learning Chinese for travel or simply getting familiar with everyday Chinese expressions, understanding the significance of this phrase helps bridge cultural gaps.

3. What are you doing?

你在干嘛?
Nǐ zài gàn má?
What are you doing?

In China if you want to start a casual conversation with your close friends, one of the most common Chinese phrases you can use is “你在干嘛” (nǐ zài gàn má?) which translates to “What are you doing?”

This phrase doesn’t mean that you’re being nosy, in fact it’s quite acceptable in informal conversations and serves as a good prelude to talking with friends. The phrase “干嘛” (gàn má) is an informal way of asking “what to do” in Chinese making it a great tool for beginners learning Mandarin who wish to understand everyday Chinese expressions.

4. It seems like you’ve put on some weight.

你好像胖了。
Nǐ hǎoxiàng pàng le.
It seems like you’ve put on some weight.

In most Western countries commenting on someone’s weight or size might be considered inappropriate. However in Chinese culture it’s quite common to hear this phrase between close friends or family members who haven’t seen each other for a long time. The phrase “你好像胖了” (nǐ hǎoxiàng pàng le) directly translates to “It seems like you’ve gotten fatter”.

Interestingly, most Chinese people don’t find this offensive as it’s seen as a jovial icebreaker used to lighten the mood before starting a conversation. In this context “好像” (hǎoxiàng) means “seems” and “胖” (pàng) means “fat”.

This type of informal Chinese greeting is a great example of how cultural nuances shape the way people communicate. If you’re learning Mandarin Chinese and are curious about casual Chinese phrases this expression is a great one to add to your vocabulary.

Small Talk Phrases in Chinese – Talking About the Weather

5. It’s really hot/cold today.

今天真热/冷。
Jīntiān zhēn rè/lěng.
It’s really hot/cold today.

In Chinese many people prefer judging the weather rather than just asking about it. This phrase is often used to comment on the weather and it is commonly heard during casual conversations. “真” (zhēn) adds emphasis meaning “really”, so you can use it to show your strong opinion about the temperature.

It’s a quick and simple way to start a conversation especially since the weather can sometimes affect people’s moods. You might also hear this phrase used in casual small talk among friends or colleagues when the weather is extreme either very hot or cold.

FAQ: Small Talk Phrases in Chinese

The most common greeting in Chinese is “你好” (Nǐ hǎo) which means “Hello”.

02. What are the best phrases to start a casual conversation in Mandarin?

You can start with “你最近怎么样?” (Nǐ zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?) meaning “How have you been recently?”

03. How do you ask someone how they are in Mandarin?

A common phrase is “你好吗?” (Nǐ hǎo ma?) meaning “How are you?”

04. What are some common Chinese phrases for asking about food?

You can ask “你吃饭了吗?” (Nǐ chī fàn le ma?) which means “Have you eaten?”. This is often used informally as “How are you?” in Chinese culture.

We hope these phrases will be useful. To find out more interesting phrases and questions in Chinese, check out one of our blog posts 5 Phrases and Questions to Take a Taxi