Queueing, security and entry
Ask where to queue, whether this is the right line, how long the wait is, how to enter, and what items are not allowed. The east gate of the Temple of Heaven, Beijing, on a holiday morning. Three queues, one security check, and a sign you can't read.
Key phrases
The 6 phrases this lesson is built around, with the words that make them up. Tap ▶ to listen, or the turtle to hear it slowly.
-
请问在哪里排队？
Qǐngwèn zài nǎlǐ páiduì?
Excuse me, where should I line up?
- 请问Qǐngwèn
- 在zài
- 哪里nǎlǐ
- 排队páiduì
-
这是入场的队伍吗？
Zhè shì rùchǎng de duìwu ma?
Is this the line for entry?
- 这Zhè
- 是shì
- 入场rùchǎng
- 的de
- 队伍duìwu
- 吗ma
-
这里要安检吗？
Zhèlǐ yào ānjiǎn ma?
Is there a security check here?
- 这里Zhèlǐ
- 要yào
- 安检ānjiǎn
- 吗ma
-
水可以带进去吗？
Shuǐ kěyǐ dài jìnqù ma?
Can I bring water inside?
- 水Shuǐ
- 可以kěyǐ
- 带dài
- 进去jìnqù
- 吗ma
-
可以用二维码入场吗？
Kěyǐ yòng èrwéimǎ rùchǎng ma?
Can I enter with the QR code?
- 可以Kěyǐ
- 用yòng
- 二维码èrwéimǎ
- 入场rùchǎng
- 吗ma
-
出去以后还能再进来吗？
Chūqù yǐhòu hái néng zài jìnlái ma?
Can I re-enter after going out?
- 出去Chūqù
- 以后yǐhòu
- 还hái
- 能néng
- 再zài
- 进来jìnlái
- 吗ma
More phrases for this situation
Every other phrase from the lesson: 17 in all.
-
这是买票的队伍吗？
Zhè shì mǎi piào de duìwu ma?
Is this the line to buy tickets?
-
预约票应该在哪里排队？
Yùyuē piào yīnggāi zài nǎlǐ páiduì?
Where should I line up if I have a reservation ticket?
-
网上买票的人在哪里入场？
Wǎngshàng mǎi piào de rén zài nǎlǐ rùchǎng?
Where do people with online tickets enter?
-
团队入口在哪里？
Tuánduì rùkǒu zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the group entrance?
-
大概要等多久？
Dàgài yào děng duōjiǔ?
About how long do I need to wait?
-
需要打开包吗？
Xūyào dǎkāi bāo ma?
Do I need to open my bag?
-
哪些东西不能带进去？
Nǎxiē dōngxi bù néng dài jìnqù?
What items are not allowed inside?
-
食物可以带进去吗？
Shíwù kěyǐ dài jìnqù ma?
Can I bring food inside?
-
这个需要寄存吗？
Zhège xūyào jìcún ma?
Does this need to be stored?
-
寄存处在哪里？
Jìcún chù zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the storage area?
-
请扫我的二维码。
Qǐng sǎo wǒ de èrwéimǎ.
Please scan my QR code.
-
需要出示护照吗？
Xūyào chūshì hùzhào ma?
Do I need to show my passport?
-
现在暂停入场了吗？
Xiànzài zàntíng rùchǎng le ma?
Is entry temporarily suspended now?
-
什么时候可以继续入场？
Shénme shíhou kěyǐ jìxù rùchǎng?
When can entry continue?
-
请帮我确认一下入场规则。
Qǐng bāng wǒ quèrèn yíxià rùchǎng guīzé.
Please help me confirm the entry rules.
-
请帮我写下来。
Qǐng bāng wǒ xiě xiàlái.
Please write it down for me.
-
谢谢您的帮助。
Xièxie nín de bāngzhù.
Thank you for your help.
What you’ll hear, and how to answer
Staff won’t follow your script. These are things they are likely to say here, with a reply that works.
-
Staff
这边是买票的，入场排那边。Zhèbiān shì mǎi piào de, rùchǎng pái nàbiān.
This line is for tickets. For entry, queue over there.
You
可以用二维码入场吗？Kěyǐ yòng èrwéimǎ rùchǎng ma?
Can I enter with the QR code?
-
Staff
包放进去过安检。Bāo fàng jìnqù guò ānjiǎn.
Put your bag through the security scanner.
You
需要打开包吗？Xūyào dǎkāi bāo ma?
Do I need to open my bag?
Play the scene
The east gate of the Temple of Heaven, Beijing, on a holiday morning. Three queues, one security check, and a sign you can't read.
-
Staff
这边是买票的，入场排那边。
Zhèbiān shì mǎi piào de, rùchǎng pái nàbiān.
This line is for tickets. For entry, queue over there.
-
You
可以用二维码入场吗？
Kěyǐ yòng èrwéimǎ rùchǎng ma?
Can I enter with the QR code?
What do you say?
-
Staff
包放进去过安检。
Bāo fàng jìnqù guò ānjiǎn.
Put your bag through the security scanner.
-
You
水可以带进去吗？
Shuǐ kěyǐ dài jìnqù ma?
Can I bring water inside?
What do you say?
-
Staff
可以，喝一口给我看看。
Kěyǐ, hē yì kǒu gěi wǒ kànkan.
Yes. Just take a sip so I can see.
-
You
出去以后还能再进来吗？
Chūqù yǐhòu hái néng zài jìnlái ma?
Can I re-enter after going out?
What do you say?
-
Staff
出去就不能再进来了。
Chūqù jiù bù néng zài jìnlái le.
Once you leave, you can't come back in.
Scene complete. 很好！ (Hěn hǎo — very good!)
Culture tip
Bag check
At many attractions, staff may ask you to open your bag. Keep important items easy to access.
How do you ask “What items are not allowed inside?”
Show the answer
哪些东西不能带进去？ — What items are not allowed inside?
Go deeper
Background for this situation: key words, what to expect and a few more short dialogues.
Key Terms
排队 To line up or queue. At popular attractions, there may be separate lines for tickets, entry, reservations, and groups.
队伍 A line or queue. Use 这是……的队伍吗？ to confirm whether you are in the right line.
安检 Security check. Attractions may check bags, bottles, food, lighters, drones, tripods, or other restricted items.
禁止携带 / 不能带进去 Not allowed to bring inside. This is useful when asking about prohibited items before entry.
寄存 To store or check an item temporarily. Use this when an item cannot be brought inside or you have luggage.
暂停入场 Entry is temporarily suspended. This may happen because of crowd control, weather, events, or safety reasons.
Entry Flow
Step 1: Find the right line
Ask where to line up and confirm whether the line is for ticket purchase, entry, online tickets, reservation tickets, or groups.
Step 2: Ask the wait time
Use 大概要等多久？ to decide whether to wait, change time slots, or come back later.
Step 3: Prepare for security check
Ask whether you need to open your bag, show passport, or store restricted items.
Step 4: Scan and enter
If you have a QR code, ask 可以用二维码入场吗？ and then say 请扫我的二维码.
Useful Queue and Entry Patterns
在哪里……？ Use this to ask where to line up, enter, store items, or find an entrance.
这是……的队伍吗？ Use this to confirm whether a line is for a certain purpose.
需要……吗？ Use this to ask whether something is required, such as security check, passport, bag opening, or storage.
……可以带进去吗？ Use this to ask whether a specific item can be brought inside.
Security Check Tips
Bag check
At many attractions, staff may ask you to open your bag. Keep important items easy to access.
Food and drinks
Rules vary. Some places allow water but not food; some museums may not allow either in exhibition halls.
Storage for restricted items
If an item is not allowed, ask whether it can be stored and where the storage area is.
Entry Rules Tips
Passport or ID check
Some online tickets or reservation tickets may require passport verification at entry.
Re-entry
Some attractions do not allow re-entry after leaving. Ask before going out.
Crowd control
Entry may be paused when the site is too crowded. Ask when entry can continue.
Interactive Scenarios
Finding the right line
- Traveler请问在哪里排队？
Qǐngwèn zài nǎlǐ páiduì?
Excuse me, where should I line up?
- Traveler这是入场的队伍吗？
Zhè shì rùchǎng de duìwu ma?
Is this the line for entry?
- Traveler大概要等多久？
Dàgài yào děng duōjiǔ?
About how long do I need to wait?
Security check
- Traveler这里要安检吗？
Zhèlǐ yào ānjiǎn ma?
Is there a security check here?
- Traveler需要打开包吗？
Xūyào dǎkāi bāo ma?
Do I need to open my bag?
- Traveler哪些东西不能带进去？
Nǎxiē dōngxi bù néng dài jìnqù?
What items are not allowed inside?
QR-code entry
- Traveler可以用二维码入场吗？
Kěyǐ yòng èrwéimǎ rùchǎng ma?
Can I enter with the QR code?
- Traveler请扫我的二维码。
Qǐng sǎo wǒ de èrwéimǎ.
Please scan my QR code.
- Traveler需要出示护照吗？
Xūyào chūshì hùzhào ma?
Do I need to show my passport?
Mini Quiz
How do you ask “Where should I line up?”
- 在哪里排队？ ✓ Answer
- 在哪里买水？
- 在哪里拍照？
Which phrase asks if this is the entry line?
- 这是入场的队伍吗？ ✓ Answer
- 这是买票的队伍吗？
- 这是出口的队伍吗？
How do you ask “What items are not allowed inside?”
- 哪些东西不能带进去？ ✓ Answer
- 哪些人可以免票？
- 哪些地方可以拍照？
Which phrase asks about re-entry after leaving?
- 出去以后还能再进来吗？ ✓ Answer
- 进去以后还能拍照吗？
- 出去以后还能退票吗？