Airport check-in is the first step of your journey in China.
Even though many airports have English signs, staff communication is often faster and easier with simple Chinese phrases.
This guide helps you handle check-in, baggage drop, and boarding procedures smoothly.
✈ I have a reservation.
Chinese: 我有预订。
Pinyin: wǒ yǒu yùdìng.
English: I have a reservation.
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💬 Example:
A: I have a reservation.
A: 我有预订。
B: Please show me your ID or passport.
B: 请出示您的证件或者护照。
💡 Tip:
Say this at the hotel front desk first if you booked a room online in advance.
✈ I would like to check in.
Chinese: 我想要办理入住。
Pinyin: wǒ xiǎng yào bànlǐ rùzhù.
English: I would like to check in.
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💬 Example:
A: I would like to check in.
A: 我想要办理入住。
B: Okay, please hand me your passport.
B: 好的，请把您的护照给我。
💡 Tip:
Use this sentence when you arrive at the hotel front desk to start the registration process.
✈ Where is the check-in counter?
Chinese: 值机柜台在哪里？
Pinyin: zhíjī guìtái zài nǎlǐ?
English: Where is the check-in counter?
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💬 Example:
A: Excuse me, where is the check-in counter?
A: 请问，值机柜台在哪里？
B: It is over there, next to Gate 5.
B: 就在那边，5 号登机口旁边。
💡 Tip:
You can show this sentence to airport staff if you don’t know how to pronounce it.
✈ Here is my passport.
Chinese: 这是我的护照。
Pinyin: zhè shì wǒ de hùzhào.
English: Here is my passport.
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💬 Example:
A: Here is my passport.
A: 这是我的护照。
B: Thank you, I will complete registration for you.
B: 谢谢，我为您办理登记。
💡 Tip:
Foreign visitors must provide passports for hotel check-in and airport immigration inspection.
✈ Which gate should I go to?
Chinese: 我应该去哪个登机口？
Pinyin: wǒ yīnggāi qù nǎ gè dēngjī kǒu?
English: Which gate should I go to?
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💬 Example:
A: Excuse me, which gate should I go to for flight MU123?
A: 请问 MU123 航班我应该去哪个登机口？
B: Your boarding gate is Gate 18, on the second floor.
B: 您的登机口是 18 号，在二楼。
💡 Tip:
Ask airport staff this question after security when you cannot find your boarding gate.
✈ What time does boarding start?
Chinese: 几点开始登机？
Pinyin: jǐ diǎn kāishǐ dēngjī?
English: What time does boarding start?
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💬 Example:
A: What time does boarding start for this flight?
A: 这个航班几点开始登机？
B: Boarding starts forty minutes before takeoff.
B: 起飞前四十分钟开始登机。
💡 Tip:
Use this sentence to confirm boarding time so you won’t miss your flight.
Final Advice
Airport check-in in China is efficient and well organized.
Even with limited Chinese, you can complete the process easily by using written phrases or translation apps.
Always prepare your passport and flight details in advance to make the process smoother.