Chinese Taxi Phrases for Travelers

In a taxi, destination and payment matter most. If you cannot say the address, show it on your phone.

Repeat “去 + place”: “去酒店”, “去机场”, “去地铁站”.

Use “开慢一点” for driving speed and “说慢一点” for speaking speed.

The most useful opening in a taxi is “你好，去这个地址”. If the address is long, do not force yourself to read it aloud. Show the map or hotel address on your phone.

If the driver confirms the route, you may hear “走高速吗？” or “到这里吗？” Beginners can answer with short lines like “对”, “可以”, or “不用高速”.

In big Chinese cities, many people use ride apps like Didi to call a “网约车” (ride-hail car): you enter the address, see an estimate, and pay in-app beforehand, so you barely need to speak the address.

A taxi you flag on the street is a “出租车”; say “你好，去这个地址” or “我要去机场”, and ask the driver to “打表” (use the meter). To gauge the cost first, ask “大概多少钱？”

Drivers often ask “走高速吗？” (take the toll expressway?), “到了，在这里停吗？” (we're here, stop here?), and “现金还是扫码？” (cash or scan?). Short answers are fine: “走高速”, “不用高速”, “在这里停”, “扫码”.

If you miss something, say “请说慢一点” or “再说一遍，好吗？”. Note “开慢一点” asks the driver to drive slower, while “说慢一点” asks someone to speak slower.

Mobile payment is common, so “可以扫码吗？” is useful. To pay cash, ask “可以付现金吗？”, and for a receipt say “可以给我发票吗？”.

Before getting out, say “在这里停就可以”. Tipping is generally not expected for taxis in mainland China — just pay the meter or in-app amount.

You: 你好，去这个地址. Driver: 好，走高速吗？ You: 不用高速. Driver: 好的. (on arrival) Driver: 到了，在这里停吗？ You: 在这里停就可以，可以扫码吗？ Driver: 可以，扫这里.

Listen once, then repeat line by line. Swap “去这个地址” for “去机场” or “去火车站”, and “扫码” for “付现金”, to cover most taxi situations.

Taxi Mandarin is not only the destination. You also need to confirm the route, ask about time, and tell the driver where to stop. Drill “到这里”, “走高架吗？”, and “前面靠边停” together.

For ride-hailing, drivers may call and ask “你在哪儿？” Do not panic. Say a clear landmark first, then add color or entrance details, such as “我在南门，穿蓝色衣服”.

Minute one is only for the core lines: “去这个地址。”、“我要去机场。”、“请打表。”. Do not add new vocabulary yet; first make sure you can read the characters aloud and turn the English meaning back into Mandarin.

Minutes two to four change one real variable: place, quantity, time, person, or preference. In the final minute, close the page and say the idea with your own details. PandaKiko treats this guide as learned only when you can turn “去这个地址。” into your own sentence.