ChinaBeginner
Getting a taxi in China with a friend in English (beginner)
Beginner English for getting a taxi in China with a friend. Key line: “Excuse me, can we get a taxi here?”
Full script
Lin
Excuse me, can we get a taxi here?
Them
Yes, stand near the road.
Lin
Thanks. My friend is new here.
Them
No problem. Tell him to raise his hand.
Lin
He can wave. He waves at everyone.
Them
Then a taxi will stop quickly.
Lin
Great, we'd like a taxi to our hotel.
Them
Perfect. One is coming. Don't let him wave.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Get a taxi
✓ Can we get a taxi here?Ask if this is a good place to get a taxi
Ask this first
Where to stand
✓ Stand near the road.Stand near the road.
Not: 'on the road'
Signal
✓ Raise your hand.Raise your hand.
Common when getting a taxi
Destination
✓ We'd like a taxi to our hotel.Say where you want to go
Change the place after 'to'
Quick answers
Get a taxi: what to say in English
Say “Can we get a taxi here?” — ask if this is a good place to get a taxi. Ask this first.
Where to stand: what to say in English
Say “Stand near the road.” — stand near the road. Not: 'on the road'.
Signal: what to say in English
Say “Raise your hand.” — raise your hand. Common when getting a taxi.
Destination: what to say in English
Say “We'd like a taxi to our hotel.” — say where you want to go. Change the place after 'to'.