Dialogue to get you through those daily frustrations, like asking someone to help with the elevator:

By Zhang Chengliang at China Daily

 

Nín hǎo. Qǐngwèn yíxia, diàntī zài nǎr?

您好。请问一下，电梯在哪儿？

Hello. Excuse me, where is the elevator?

Nín wǎng qián zǒu dào tóu, ránhòu wǎng yòu guǎi jiù yǒu diàntī le.

您往前走到头，然后往右拐就有电梯了。

Go straight to the end, then turn right and you’ll see the elevator.

Xièxie nín.

谢谢您。

Thanks.

… inside the crowded elevator …

Máfan nǐ bāng wǒ àn yíxia bā lóu ? Xièxie.

麻烦你帮我按一下八楼，谢谢。

Could you please help me to push the button for the 8th floor? Thanks.

… getting out of the crowded elevator …

Jièguò, wǒ yào xiàqù.

麻烦借过，我要下去。

Please, I want to get off.

Dialogue provided by TailorMade Chinese Center at Shangdu SO­HO. Contact them on 5900-5420 or visit tailormadechinese.com. Send a scenario to metrobeijing @chinadaily.com.cn.