Chinese Parenting & Children Phrases — Essential Mandarin for School Communication, Playdates, Pediatric Visits & Talking to Nannies

If you're raising children in China, communicating with schools and teachers is one of the most important language skills you'll need. Whether your child attends a local Chinese school, an international school, or a bilingual kindergarten, you'll regularly interact with teachers (老师 — lǎo shī), administrators, and other parents. Key vocabulary: 幼儿园 (yòu ér yuán) — kindergarten / preschool, 小学 (xiǎo xué) — elementary school, 中学 (zhōng xué) — middle/high school, 班主任 (bān zhǔ rèn) — homeroom teacher (your primary point of contact), 任课老师 (rèn kè lǎo shī) — subject teacher, 家长会 (jiā zhǎng huì) — parent-teacher meeting, 家长群 (jiā zhǎng qún) — parent WeChat group (ubiquitous in China — every class has one), 成绩单 (chéng jì dān) — report card, 作业 (zuò yè) — homework, 考试 (kǎo shì) — exam, 请假 (qǐng jià) — request time off / ask for leave. Common phrases to start a conversation with the teacher: 老师您好 (lǎo shī nín hǎo) — Hello, teacher. 我想了解一下孩子最近的表现 (wǒ xiǎng liǎo jiě yī xià hái zi zuì jìn de biǎo xiàn) — I'd like to understand how my child has been doing recently. 他上课认真吗 (tā shàng kè rèn zhēn ma) — Does he pay attention in class? 他和同学相处得怎么样 (tā hé tóng xué xiāng chǔ de zěn me yàng) — How does he get along with classmates? 有什么需要我们在家配合的吗 (yǒu shén me xū yào wǒ men zài jiā pèi hé de ma) — Is there anything we should reinforce at home?

Requesting leave or reporting absence: 老师，孩子今天不舒服，请假一天 (lǎo shī, hái zi jīn tiān bù shū fu, qǐng jià yī tiān) — Teacher, my child is not feeling well today, requesting a day off. 他发烧了 (tā fā shāo le) — He has a fever. 明天可以来上课吗 (míng tiān kě yǐ lái shàng kè ma) — Can he come to class tomorrow? 请问今天的作业是什么 (qǐng wèn jīn tiān de zuò yè shì shén me) — What is today's homework? For school events: 家长会在什么时候 (jiā zhǎng huì zài shén me shí hou) — When is the parent-teacher meeting? 我们需要准备什么 (wǒ men xū yào zhǔn bèi shén me) — What do we need to prepare? 有运动会吗 (yǒu yùn dòng huì ma) — Is there a sports day? 需要家长参加吗 (xū yào jiā zhǎng cān jiā ma) — Do parents need to attend? WeChat parent group etiquette: Chinese parent groups on WeChat are extremely active. Respond to teacher announcements with 收到 (shōu dào — received / noted) or 谢谢老师 (xiè xie lǎo shī — thank you, teacher). Don't flood the group with off-topic messages. When the teacher posts photos of class activities, it's common to reply with thumbs-up emojis or 孩子们真棒 (hái zi men zhēn bàng — the kids are wonderful). Address the teacher as [Surname] + 老师 — for example, 王老师 (Wáng lǎo shī).

Arranging playdates with Chinese families is a great way for your child to practice Chinese and for you to build community. Key vocabulary: 一起玩 (yī qǐ wán) — play together, 约个时间 (yuē ge shí jiān) — set a time, 公园 (gōng yuán) — park, 游乐场 (yóu lè chǎng) — playground / amusement park, 室内游乐场 (shì nèi yóu lè chǎng) — indoor playground (very popular in Chinese malls), 蹦床公园 (bèng chuáng gōng yuán) — trampoline park, 动物园 (dòng wù yuán) — zoo, 博物馆 (bó wù guǎn) — museum, 科技馆 (kē jì guǎn) — science museum, 游泳馆 (yóu yǒng guǎn) — swimming pool (indoor). Inviting a playdate: 周末有空吗？可以一起带孩子出去玩 (zhōu mò yǒu kòng ma? kě yǐ yī qǐ dài hái zi chū qù wán) — Free this weekend? We could take the kids out together. 我孩子很想和你家孩子一起玩 (wǒ hái zi hěn xiǎng hé nǐ jiā hái zi yī qǐ wán) — My child really wants to play with yours. 我们可以去附近的公园 (wǒ men kě yǐ qù fù jìn de gōng yuán) — We can go to a nearby park. 你们什么时候方便 (nǐ men shén me shí hou fāng biàn) — When is convenient for you? During the playdate: 小朋友们一起玩吧 (xiǎo péng yǒu men yī qǐ wán ba) — Let the kids play together. 要分享玩具哦 (yào fēn xiǎng wán jù o) — Share your toys, okay. 不要抢 (bù yào qiǎng) — Don't grab / snatch. 小心一点 (xiǎo xīn yī diǎn) — Be careful. 不能打人 (bù néng dǎ rén) — No hitting. 要不要吃点心 (yào bù yào chī diǎn xin) — Would you like a snack?

After-school activities and hobby classes (兴趣班 — xìng qù bān) are a massive part of Chinese parenting culture. Common activities: 钢琴 (gāng qín) — piano, 小提琴 (xiǎo tí qín) — violin, 画画 (huà huà) — drawing/painting, 书法 (shū fǎ) — calligraphy, 舞蹈 (wǔ dǎo) — dance, 芭蕾 (bā lěi) — ballet, 跆拳道 (tái quán dào) — taekwondo, 游泳 (yóu yǒng) — swimming, 编程 (biān chéng) — coding/programming, 围棋 (wéi qí) — Go (the board game), 象棋 (xiàng qí) — Chinese chess, 英语 (yīng yǔ) — English class. Phrases: 你们给孩子报了什么兴趣班 (nǐ men gěi hái zi bào le shén me xìng qù bān) — What hobby classes have you enrolled your child in? 一周上几次课 (yī zhōu shàng jǐ cì kè) — How many classes per week? 老师教得好吗 (lǎo shī jiāo de hǎo ma) — Does the teacher teach well? 多少钱一节课 (duō shǎo qián yī jié kè) — How much per lesson? Birthday parties (生日派对 — shēng rì pài duì): Chinese kids' birthday parties are often held at indoor playgrounds, KTV rooms, or restaurants. You'll be expected to bring a gift (礼物 — lǐ wù) and may receive a return gift bag (回礼 — huí lǐ). Say: 生日快乐 (shēng rì kuài lè) — Happy birthday. 这是给你的礼物 (zhè shì gěi nǐ de lǐ wù) — This is a gift for you. 祝小朋友健康成长 (zhù xiǎo péng yǒu jiàn kāng chéng zhǎng) — Wishing the little one healthy growth.

Taking your child to the doctor in China requires specific vocabulary for symptoms, pediatric departments, and common childhood illnesses. Key vocabulary: 儿科 (ér kē) — pediatrics department, 儿科医生 (ér kē yī shēng) — pediatrician, 儿童医院 (ér tóng yī yuàn) — children's hospital (dedicated hospitals just for kids are common in Chinese cities), 挂号 (guà hào) — register / get a number, 专家号 (zhuān jiā hào) — specialist appointment, 急诊 (jí zhěn) — emergency, 发烧 (fā shāo) — fever, 量体温 (liáng tǐ wēn) — take temperature, 多少度 (duō shǎo dù) — How many degrees? (typically Celsius — 38.5°C and above warrants medicine), 退烧药 (tuì shāo yào) — fever reducer / antipyretic, 咳嗽 (ké sou) — cough, 流鼻涕 (liú bí tì) — runny nose, 鼻塞 (bí sāi) — stuffy nose, 呕吐 (ǒu tù) — vomiting, 拉肚子 (lā dù zi) — diarrhea, 过敏 (guò mǐn) — allergy, 起疹子 (qǐ zhěn zi) — developed a rash. Describing symptoms for your child: 孩子从昨天开始发烧 (hái zi cóng zuó tiān kāi shǐ fā shāo) — My child started having a fever yesterday. 最高烧到39度 (zuì gāo shāo dào sān shí jiǔ dù) — The highest was 39°C. 胃口不好 (wèi kǒu bù hǎo) — No appetite. 精神不好 (jīng shén bù hǎo) — Low energy / lethargic. 一直在哭 (yī zhí zài kū) — Has been crying nonstop. 晚上睡不好 (wǎn shang shuì bù hǎo) — Can't sleep well at night.

Vaccinations and health checks: China has a comprehensive childhood vaccination program (预防接种 — yù fáng jiē zhòng). Key vocabulary: 疫苗 (yì miáo) — vaccine, 打预防针 (dǎ yù fáng zhēn) — get a vaccination shot, 接种证 (jiē zhòng zhèng) — vaccination certificate (green booklet — keep this safe, it's needed for school enrollment), 体检 (tǐ jiǎn) — physical checkup, 身高 (shēn gāo) — height, 体重 (tǐ zhòng) — weight, 视力 (shì lì) — eyesight, 听力 (tīng lì) — hearing, 血常规 (xuè cháng guī) — routine blood test, 微量元素 (wēi liàng yuán sù) — trace elements test (commonly checked in China to assess zinc, iron, calcium levels — often done if the child is a picky eater). At the pharmacy for children: 有儿童用的退烧药吗 (yǒu ér tóng yòng de tuì shāo yào ma) — Do you have fever medicine for children? 布洛芬 (bù luò fēn) — ibuprofen, 对乙酰氨基酚 (duì yǐ xiān ān jī fēn) — acetaminophen/paracetamol, 多大剂量 (duō dà jì liàng) — What dosage? 按体重吃还是按年龄吃 (àn tǐ zhòng chī hái shì àn nián líng chī) — Based on weight or age? 一天几次 (yī tiān jǐ cì) — How many times a day? Traditional Chinese parenting wisdom: you may hear 穿多点，别着凉 (chuān duō diǎn, bié zháo liáng) — put on more clothes, don't catch cold — Chinese grandparents are famously concerned about children getting cold. 喝热水 (hē rè shuǐ) — drink hot water — is the universal remedy for everything.

Many expat families in China employ a nanny or domestic helper (阿姨 — ā yí, literally "auntie"). Clear communication with your ayi is essential. Key vocabulary: 保姆 (bǎo mǔ) — nanny / housekeeper, 月嫂 (yuè sǎo) — postpartum nanny (specialized in newborn and mother care for the first month), 育儿嫂 (yù ér sǎo) — childcare specialist nanny, 住家阿姨 (zhù jiā ā yí) — live-in ayi, 钟点工 (zhōng diǎn gōng) — hourly worker, 工资 (gōng zī) — salary, 休息日 (xiū xi rì) — day off. Daily instructions: 孩子几点起床 (hái zi jǐ diǎn qǐ chuáng) — What time does the child wake up? 早餐吃了什么 (zǎo cān chī le shén me) — What did they eat for breakfast? 中午睡了吗 (zhōng wǔ shuì le ma) — Did they nap at noon? 睡了多久 (shuì le duō jiǔ) — How long did they sleep? 今天大便了吗 (jīn tiān dà biàn le ma) — Did they have a bowel movement today? (directly asked in Chinese — normal), 正常吗 (zhèng cháng ma) — Was it normal? 有没有出去玩 (yǒu méi yǒu chū qù wán) — Did you take them out to play? 注意安全 (zhù yì ān quán) — Be careful / Pay attention to safety. Food and feeding: 孩子吃饭了吗 (hái zi chī fàn le ma) — Has the child eaten? 吃了多少 (chī le duō shǎo) — How much did they eat? 零食不要给太多 (líng shí bù yào gěi tài duō) — Don't give too many snacks. 少放盐 (shǎo fàng yán) — Use less salt. 不要放味精 (bù yào fàng wèi jīng) — Don't use MSG. 水果洗了吗 (shuǐ guǒ xǐ le ma) — Did you wash the fruit? 奶瓶消毒了吗 (nǎi píng xiāo dú le ma) — Did you sterilize the bottles?

Setting boundaries and giving feedback: 如果你要带孩子出去，先跟我说一声 (rú guǒ nǐ yào dài hái zi chū qù, xiān gēn wǒ shuō yī shēng) — If you're taking the child out, let me know first. 不要让孩子看太久手机 (bù yào ràng hái zi kàn tài jiǔ shǒu jī) — Don't let the child watch the phone for too long. 每天最多半小时 (měi tiān zuì duō bàn xiǎo shí) — Maximum half an hour per day. 有事给我发微信 (yǒu shì gěi wǒ fā wēi xìn) — If anything comes up, send me a WeChat message. 谢谢，你辛苦了 (xiè xie, nǐ xīn kǔ le) — Thank you, you've worked hard (standard appreciation phrase). Salary and leave: 工资是每个月几号发 (gōng zī shì měi ge yuè jǐ hào fā) — What date is the salary paid each month? 你想什么时候休息 (nǐ xiǎng shén me shí hou xiū xi) — When would you like to take your day off? 节假日怎么算 (jié jià rì zěn me suàn) — How are holidays calculated? 过年你要回家吗 (guò nián nǐ yào huí jiā ma) — Are you going home for Chinese New Year? (most ayis take 1-4 weeks off during Spring Festival). 我们需要提前安排 (wǒ men xū yào tí qián ān pái) — We need to arrange in advance.

Navigating playgrounds and daily routines with young children in China. Playground phrases: 小心 (xiǎo xīn) — Careful! 慢点 (màn diǎn) — Slow down. 别跑太快 (bié pǎo tài kuài) — Don't run too fast. 排队 (pái duì) — Wait in line / queue up. 轮到你了 (lún dào nǐ le) — It's your turn. 滑滑梯 (huá huá tī) — Go down the slide. 荡秋千 (dàng qiū qiān) — Swing on the swing. 不要推人 (bù yào tuī rén) — Don't push others. 跟小朋友分享 (gēn xiǎo péng yǒu fēn xiǎng) — Share with the other kids. 该回家了 (gāi huí jiā le) — Time to go home. 再玩五分钟 (zài wán wǔ fēn zhōng) — Five more minutes of play. Daycare and nursery (托班 — tuō bān or 早教中心 — zǎo jiào zhōng xīn — early education center) are common for children 1-3 years old: 你们收多大的孩子 (nǐ men shōu duō dà de hái zi) — What age children do you accept? 一个月多少钱 (yī ge yuè duō shǎo qián) — How much per month? 师生比例是多少 (shī shēng bǐ lì shì duō shǎo) — What is the teacher-to-student ratio? 有说英文的老师吗 (yǒu shuō yīng wén de lǎo shī ma) — Are there English-speaking teachers? 几点接送 (jǐ diǎn jiē sòng) — What time is drop-off and pick-up? 孩子哭了怎么办 (hái zi kū le zěn me bàn) — What do you do when children cry?

Daily routines with children: 起床了 (qǐ chuáng le) — Time to wake up. 刷牙 (shuā yá) — Brush your teeth. 洗脸 (xǐ liǎn) — Wash your face. 换衣服 (huàn yī fu) — Get changed / Change clothes. 吃早饭 (chī zǎo fàn) — Eat breakfast. 穿鞋 (chuān xié) — Put on your shoes. 背书包 (bēi shū bāo) — Put on your backpack. 快点，要迟到了 (kuài diǎn, yào chí dào le) — Hurry up, we're going to be late. 要上厕所吗 (yào shàng cè suǒ ma) — Do you need to use the bathroom? 洗手了吗 (xǐ shǒu le ma) — Did you wash your hands? 该做作业了 (gāi zuò zuò yè le) — Time to do homework. 该睡觉了 (gāi shuì jiào le) — Time for bed. 讲故事 (jiǎng gù shi) — Tell a story / Read a bedtime story. 关灯了 (guān dēng le) — Lights out. 晚安 (wǎn ān) — Good night. 做个好梦 (zuò ge hǎo mèng) — Sweet dreams. Common compliments from Chinese parents: 真乖 (zhēn guāi) — So well-behaved / good. 真聪明 (zhēn cōng ming) — So smart. 真棒 (zhēn bàng) — Great job / awesome. 加油 (jiā yóu) — You can do it / Keep going. In Chinese parenting culture, you'll also hear: 叫阿姨 (jiào ā yí) — Say "auntie" (children are prompted to greet every adult by their title). 跟阿姨说再见 (gēn ā yí shuō zài jiàn) — Say goodbye to auntie. Teaching children these social routines is considered basic good manners.