How to Buy a Round-Trip Ticket in Mandarin Chinese
Learn to ask for and buy a round-trip ticket in Mandarin, including return date and time. Build on single-ticket phrases with 往返 (wǎngfǎn) and specify when you want to come back.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you will learn to ask for and purchase a round-trip ticket in Mandarin Chinese. A round-trip ticket is called 往返票 (wǎngfǎn piào). You will practice phrases like 我要一张去机场的往返票 (Wǒ yào yī zhāng qù jīchǎng de wǎngfǎn piào), meaning 'I want a round-trip ticket to the airport.' You will also learn to give a return date and time, such as 回程是明天下午三点 (Huíchéng shì míngtiān xiàwǔ sān diǎn). By the end, you will be able to buy a round-trip ticket and specify when you want to return.
By the end, you can…
- ask for a round-trip ticket to a destination in Mandarin.
- specify a return date and time in Mandarin.
- understand and respond to simple questions about ticket type and return details.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
我要一张去机场的往返票。
I want a round-trip ticket to the airport.
Wǒ yào yī zhāng qù jīchǎng de wǎngfǎn piào.
Use this at a ticket counter or online. 往返票 (wǎngfǎn piào) means 'round-trip ticket'. 去 (qù) means 'to' or 'going to'.
回程是明天下午三点。
The return trip is tomorrow at 3 p.m.
Huíchéng shì míngtiān xiàwǔ sān diǎn.
Use this to give your return time. 回程 (huíchéng) means 'return trip'. 明天 (míngtiān) means 'tomorrow'.
往返票多少钱？
How much is a round-trip ticket?
Wǎngfǎn piào duōshao qián?
Use this to ask the price. 多少钱 (duōshao qián) means 'how much money'.
我要一张单程票。
I want a one-way ticket.
Wǒ yào yī zhāng dānchéng piào.
Use this if you only need to go one way. 单程票 (dānchéng piào) means 'one-way ticket'.
回程可以改时间吗？
Can I change the return time?
Huíchéng kěyǐ gǎi shíjiān ma?
Use this to ask if the return time can be changed. 可以 (kěyǐ) means 'can' or 'may'. 改 (gǎi) means 'change'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask for a ticket, use 我要一张 + [destination] + 的 + [ticket type]. For example: 我要一张去机场的往返票 (Wǒ yào yī zhāng qù jīchǎng de wǎngfǎn piào) means 'I want a round-trip ticket to the airport.' 我要一张去市中心的单程票 (Wǒ yào yī zhāng qù shìzhōngxīn de dānchéng piào) means 'I want a one-way ticket to the city center.' To give a return time, use 回程是 + [time]. For example: 回程是明天下午三点 (Huíchéng shì míngtiān xiàwǔ sān diǎn) means 'The return trip is tomorrow at 3 p.m.'
When to use it
Use 往返票 (wǎngfǎn piào) when you need to go and come back. Use 单程票 (dānchéng piào) when you only go one way. At a ticket counter, you can say: 你好，我要一张去机场的往返票。回程是明天下午三点。 (Nǐ hǎo, wǒ yào yī zhāng qù jīchǎng de wǎngfǎn piào. Huíchéng shì míngtiān xiàwǔ sān diǎn.) This means 'Hello, I want a round-trip ticket to the airport. The return trip is tomorrow at 3 p.m.' If you need to change the return time, ask: 回程可以改时间吗？ (Huíchéng kěyǐ gǎi shíjiān ma?)
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
你好，我要一张去机场的往返票。
Hello, I want a round-trip ticket to the airport.Nǐ hǎo, wǒ yào yī zhāng qù jīchǎng de wǎngfǎn piào.好的。回程是什么时候？
Okay. When is the return trip?Hǎo de. Huíchéng shì shénme shíhou?回程是明天下午三点。
The return trip is tomorrow at 3 p.m.Huíchéng shì míngtiān xiàwǔ sān diǎn.好的，往返票一百元。
Okay, a round-trip ticket is 100 yuan.Hǎo de, wǎngfǎn piào yī bǎi yuán.A little context goes a long way
In China, you can buy tickets at a counter, ticket machine, or online. When speaking to staff, it is polite to start with 你好 (nǐ hǎo). If you need to change your return time, ask politely: 回程可以改时间吗？ (Huíchéng kěyǐ gǎi shíjiān ma?) Some tickets may have restrictions, so it is good to ask. Prices are in yuan (元, yuán).
One thing to watch for
Saying 我要一张去机场的往返票，回程是明天下午三点 without first saying 你好 (nǐ hǎo) or using polite language.
Try this instead: Start with 你好 (nǐ hǎo) to be polite. For example: 你好，我要一张去机场的往返票。回程是明天下午三点。 (Nǐ hǎo, wǒ yào yī zhāng qù jīchǎng de wǎngfǎn piào. Huíchéng shì míngtiān xiàwǔ sān diǎn.)
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I want a round-trip ticket to the airport' in Mandarin?
Show a sample answer
我要一张去机场的往返票。
This uses the pattern 我要一张 + [destination] + 的 + 往返票. You could also say 我要一张到机场的往返票 (Wǒ yào yī zhāng dào jīchǎng de wǎngfǎn piào), which is equally correct.
2How do you say 'The return trip is tomorrow at 3 p.m.' in Mandarin?
Show a sample answer
回程是明天下午三点。
This uses 回程是 + [time]. You could also say 回程在明天下午三点 (Huíchéng zài míngtiān xiàwǔ sān diǎn), which is also acceptable.
3How do you ask 'How much is a round-trip ticket?' in Mandarin?
Show a sample answer
往返票多少钱？
This uses 往返票 + 多少钱. You could also say 一张往返票多少钱？ (Yī zhāng wǎngfǎn piào duōshao qián?), which is also correct.
To buy a round-trip ticket, say 我要一张去[地点]的往返票 (Wǒ yào yī zhāng qù [dìdiǎn] de wǎngfǎn piào). Then give the return time with 回程是[时间] (Huíchéng shì [shíjiān]). Always start with 你好 (nǐ hǎo) to be polite.
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