[Da CorrupteD KiD]

I think most of the younger generations in China have learned English at some point in school and can understand and speak enough English to help you with directions and stuff. Just make sure you don't speak too fast and avoid colloquial phrases. I went on a guided tour package the last time I was in China so can't offer much advice to the backpackers.

[Mcnubn]

alot of the younger people had to study english as kids, but that doesn't mean that they were good at it, or that they remember it I had to study french at school and wouldn't be able to ask, nevermind answer any questions now -.-

So don't expect every young person to be able to answer any questions, since even those that are able to, may be too shy or nervous to. To combat this, a pocket phrasebook is very valuable

Having addresses written in hanzi will be very useful for taxi drivers, and it may also be worth checking if theres anything major nearby (perferably within walking distance) as it can greatly increase your chances of success For example, I know that theres a nice bar and hotpot restaurants near the american embassy in Chengdu (right around the corner), so during my first trip to China I had the words for "american embassy" written in hanzi and had no issues with taxi drivers not knowing where it was

[goape]

(Original post by Da CorrupteD KiD)
I think most of the younger generations in China have learned English at some point in school and can understand and speak enough English to help you with directions and stuff. Just make sure you don't speak too fast and avoid colloquial phrases. I went on a guided tour package the last time I was in China so can't offer much advice to the backpackers.

Your username is terrible. Change it. You are not cool.

[Da CorrupteD KiD]

(Original post by goape)
Your username is terrible. Change it. You are not cool.

This account was created 4 years ago after which had been left unused for the same number of years. I thought of creating a new account when I revisited TSR recently but was not allowed. Perhaps you would like to explain the process of changing the username?

[Laozi]

(Original post by Kolya)
Hmm? Problem isn't really the tones, especially when the context is clear. It's just that lliujiazui is impossible to pronounce anywhere close to correctly if you don't know pinyin.

No, it is the tones - Chinese is all about the 5 tones, so of course it's the tones.

I've been out here for more than a year and people still look at me strange when I say 'Cha' because I can't get the tone right.

[leafy9]

If you're living in a hotel, ask the reception to write out your destinations in Chinese which you can show the taxi driver. Also remember to have the address of your own hotel, especially if it's not so well known.

My opinions on language is that, everything's improving. 5 years ago, if you walked on the streets in Beijing (where I live) not many people would be able to speak English. Now, the majority of the population within big cities can speak enough English to converse.