Do You Speak English?

How to use this card

1. Save it before you travel. Download the whole pack from /rescue-cards/ and it works offline — no app, no data plan.
2. Show the big Chinese line to whoever you are talking to. They read characters; the English at the bottom is for you.
3. Say it out loud too if they hesitate. A spoken request gets a faster answer than a silent card, and repeating it removes all doubt.
4. Read the English to understand the reply.

What they will likely say

• “会一点。” — A little.
• “不会。” — No.
• “我会说英语。” — Yes, I speak English.
• “你会说中文吗？” — Do you speak Chinese?

Pro tips

• Even “a little” is often enough for a transaction. Prices, quantities and directions survive a broken conversation that a broken sentence would not.
• Young staff, students, anyone under about 35 in a tourist city, and anyone who has worked in an international business are your best odds. Older people in rural areas are your worst — and also your most likely to try anyway.
• Add 英语 (English) to the end of ANY of these cards and it works as an opener. 你会说英语吗 plus 刷卡吗 (do you take card) is a complete transaction.

Related guides

• Full guide — background reading for this situation

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This card is one of the TravelHubChina phrase cards — bilingual, offline, and verified against how people actually talk in China rather than textbook grammar. The full set is free at travelhubchina.com/rescue-cards/.