Can you get by with English in Beijing?

Most expats in China don’t speak much Mandarin. If you moved to China without learning Chinese, you might be wonder how you can get by with English in Beijing. 

However, many Chinese people speak English very well, while some people are a bit shy in using their language skills. But these English-speaking people live in specific areas. The English-spoken locals are usually seen in ex-pat areas such as in Chaoyang and areas near foreign locations. 

Let’s look into different places where you visit in daily life and see the English spoken there. 

Supermarkets

While living in Beijing, you will likely do most of your shopping in supermarkets. Workers in Western supermarkets usually speak a little bit of English. So you can easily communicate with the staff. For example, if you need cheese, you can request the workers they will ask you quantity and type. But you should not expect more than this. 

However, in local supermarkets, the staff doesn’t speak English. So you may face a little bit of difficulty. But they are very helpful, you can use basic Chinese or point on the goods you need, they will try to understand you. You can also use a dictionary app to find the Chinese meaning of the item you are looking for or even show them if you can’t pronounce it properly. If you can speak Chinese, the staff often wills to share recommendations and best uses. 

Other shopping

In tourist markets like Yashao or the silk market, the seller speaks English very well, or even a few words of French, Russian, German, etc. But usually, their vocabulary and understanding are limited, so keep in mind that any other kind of conversation or explanation is typically not understood. 

You won’t find many English spoken people in the markets located away from expats' areas. However, local sellers usually use hand gestures, which are useful to learn.  

Housing

In Beijing, the property management offices which offer apartments to foreigners often have English-speaking staff. But don’t expect that facility at Chinese apartments. However, you can take a Chinese-speaking friend with you who can ask questions from your side. 

Buying Train Tickets

The train tickets can be bought from the small satellite offices or the main stations from all over the city. At the main ticket stations, you probably find workers who understand English and able to communicate with you. However, at the small satellite offices, you should not expect to have an English-speaking worker. Here you need basic Mandarin skills or the help of a Chinese-speaking friend.

Taxis

In Beijing, it is rare to find English-speaking taxi drivers. During my two years of stay in Beijing, I meet only two English-speaking taxi drivers. So it is better to learn at least some basic Chinese or keep your destinations in written form with you.

People on the Street

When you forget directions to a place or need to ask for some other info, you should look for a younger person. The young Chinese speak English well. 

When you talk with non-native English speakers who don’t speak English fluently, always speak slowly, pronounce clearly, and use simple words. If he doesn’t understand you, try using a different sentence or write down your problem on a piece of paper and show him. 

Final Thought

As an ex-pat in Beijing, you face different situations. The above cases show that in many situations you can get by with English, especially if you are close to the expats' areas. But in China, you can’t expect everyone to be able to speak English. So you should at least learn the basic language, it will make your daily life easier.