Chinese Phrases for Talking to Professors and Admin
University admin in China runs on a few fixed phrases. Knowing them helps you email your supervisor, ask for leave, or request an extension without awkwardness.
| When you want to say | 中文 | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| May I ask a question? | 可以问一个问题吗 | kě yǐ wèn yī gè wèn tí ma | May I ask a question? |
| I am late | 我迟到了 | wǒ chí dào le | I am late |
| Can I get an extension? | 可以延期吗 | kě yǐ yán qī ma | Can I have an extension? |
| Office hours | 办公时间 | bàn gōng shí jiān | Office hours |
| Ask for leave | 请假 | qǐng jià | Request leave |
| Transcript | 成绩单 | chéng jì dān | Transcript |
| Course selection | 选课 | xuǎn kè | Course selection |
| Make-up exam | 补考 | bǔ kǎo | Make-up exam |
| Supervisor / advisor | 导师 | dǎo shī | Supervisor / advisor |
| 邮件 | yóu jiàn |
Each university has an 国际学生办公室 (international student office) for visa and admin matters. Email your 导师 (supervisor) before visiting; their available times are called 办公时间 (office hours).
Try it yourself
Paste any sentence from this page into the tool below to see pinyin above each character and an English meaning for every word. Handy for real forms, notices, or chats.
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Frequently asked questions
- How do I contact my supervisor?
- Send an email (邮件) first and propose a time. Dropping by unannounced is less common than in some countries.
- What is the international student office for?
- It handles residence permits, visa extensions, and most day-to-day admin for foreign students.
- Can I ask for an assignment extension?
- Yes, but ask early and in writing. 可以延期吗 (can I have an extension?) is the phrase to use.