Chinese for Travel
English
Unit 2 · SIM & internet Lesson 16 5 min Premium in the app

Wi-Fi and internet problems in Chinese

Ask for Wi-Fi, passwords, help with connection, mobile data, hotspot, and network troubleshooting. A café in Chengdu. You need the Wi-Fi to load your map, but it won't connect.

上网

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 Wi-Fi 密码是多少？

    Qǐngwèn Wāifāi mìmǎ shì duōshǎo?

    Excuse me, what is the Wi-Fi password?

  • 我连不上 Wi-Fi。

    Wǒ lián bù shàng Wāifāi.

    I can’t connect to Wi-Fi.

  • 密码好像不对。

    Mìmǎ hǎoxiàng bú duì.

    The password seems to be incorrect.

    • 密码Mìmǎ
    • 好像hǎoxiàng
    • 不bú
    • 对duì

  • 我的手机没有信号。

    Wǒ de shǒujī méiyǒu xìnhào.

    My phone has no signal.

    • 我Wǒ
    • 的de
    • 手机shǒujī
    • 没有méiyǒu
    • 信号xìnhào

  • 我已经重启手机了。

    Wǒ yǐjīng chóngqǐ shǒujī le.

    I have already restarted my phone.

    • 我Wǒ
    • 已经yǐjīng
    • 重启chóngqǐ
    • 手机shǒujī
    • 了le

  • 还是不能上网。

    Háishì bù néng shàngwǎng.

    I still can’t use the internet.

    • 还是Háishì
    • 不bù
    • 能néng
    • 上网shàngwǎng

More phrases for this situation

Every other phrase from the lesson: 16 in all.

  • 请问这里有 Wi-Fi 吗？

    Qǐngwèn zhèlǐ yǒu Wāifāi ma?

    Excuse me, is there Wi-Fi here?

  • 请问 Wi-Fi 名称是什么？

    Qǐngwèn Wāifāi míngchēng shì shénme?

    Excuse me, what is the Wi-Fi name?

  • Wi-Fi 名称和密码在这里。

    Wāifāi míngchēng hé mìmǎ zài zhèlǐ.

    The Wi-Fi name and password are here.

  • 可以帮我连接 Wi-Fi 吗？

    Kěyǐ bāng wǒ liánjiē Wāifāi ma?

    Could you help me connect to Wi-Fi?

  • Wi-Fi 信号很弱。

    Wāifāi xìnhào hěn ruò.

    The Wi-Fi signal is very weak.

  • 这里有信号更好的地方吗？

    Zhèlǐ yǒu xìnhào gèng hǎo de dìfang ma?

    Is there a place here with a better signal?

  • Wi-Fi 登录需要验证码。

    Wāifāi dēnglù xūyào yànzhèngmǎ.

    The Wi-Fi login requires a verification code.

  • 我收不到验证码。

    Wǒ shōu bù dào yànzhèngmǎ.

    I can’t receive the verification code.

  • 有没有不用手机号的 Wi-Fi？

    Yǒu méiyǒu bú yòng shǒujī hào de Wāifāi?

    Is there Wi-Fi that does not require a phone number?

  • 我的移动数据不能用。

    Wǒ de yídòng shùjù bù néng yòng.

    My mobile data does not work.

  • 请帮我检查一下网络设置。

    Qǐng bāng wǒ jiǎnchá yíxià wǎngluò shèzhì.

    Please help me check the network settings.

  • 请先重启手机。

    Qǐng xiān chóngqǐ shǒujī.

    Please restart your phone first.

  • 可以开热点吗？

    Kěyǐ kāi rèdiǎn ma?

    Can I use hotspot?

  • 我的热点打不开。

    Wǒ de rèdiǎn dǎ bù kāi.

    I can’t turn on my hotspot.

  • 可以请您写下来吗？

    Kěyǐ qǐng nín xiě xiàlái ma?

    Could you please write it down?

  • 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.

  1. Staff

    大小写要注意。

    Dàxiǎoxiě yào zhùyì.

    Mind the capital letters.

    You

    还是不能上网。

    Háishì bù néng shàngwǎng.

    I still can’t use the internet.

  2. Staff

    这个位置信号不太好。

    Zhège wèizhi xìnhào bú tài hǎo.

    The signal isn't great at this table.

    You

    这里有信号更好的地方吗？

    Zhèlǐ yǒu xìnhào gèng hǎo de dìfang ma?

    Is there a place here with a better signal?

Play the scene

A café in Chengdu. You need the Wi-Fi to load your map, but it won't connect.

成都·咖啡馆 · A café in Chengdu

  1. Staff

    您的咖啡好了。

    Nín de kāfēi hǎo le.

    Your coffee's ready.

  2. You

    请问 Wi-Fi 密码是多少？

    Qǐngwèn Wāifāi mìmǎ shì duōshǎo?

    Excuse me, what is the Wi-Fi password?

  3. Staff

    密码在小票上。

    Mìmǎ zài xiǎopiào shàng.

    The password is on your receipt.

  4. You

    密码好像不对。

    Mìmǎ hǎoxiàng bú duì.

    The password seems to be incorrect.

  5. Staff

    大小写要注意。

    Dàxiǎoxiě yào zhùyì.

    Mind the capital letters.

  6. You

    还是不能上网。

    Háishì bù néng shàngwǎng.

    I still can’t use the internet.

  7. Traveler

    请先重启手机。

    Qǐng xiān chóngqǐ shǒujī.

    Please restart your phone first.

  8. You

    我已经重启手机了。

    Wǒ yǐjīng chóngqǐ shǒujī le.

    I have already restarted my phone.

Culture tip

Use official networks when possible

At airports, hotels, and cafés, ask staff for the official Wi-Fi name. Avoid connecting to unknown look-alike networks.

Which phrase means “I can’t connect to Wi-Fi”?

Show the answer

我连不上 Wi-Fi。 — I can’t connect to Wi-Fi.

Go deeper

Background for this situation: key words, what to expect and a few more short dialogues.

Key Terms

Wi-Fi 名称 The network name you choose when connecting to Wi-Fi. It may also be called SSID.

请问 Wi-Fi 名称是什么？ Qǐngwèn Wāifāi míngchēng shì shénme? Excuse me, what is the Wi-Fi name?

Wi-Fi 密码 The password needed to connect to a private Wi-Fi network.

请问 Wi-Fi 密码是多少？ Qǐngwèn Wāifāi mìmǎ shì duōshǎo? Excuse me, what is the Wi-Fi password?

验证码 A verification code used for login or identity confirmation, often sent by SMS.

Wi-Fi 登录需要验证码。 Wāifāi dēnglù xūyào yànzhèngmǎ. The Wi-Fi login requires a verification code.

移动数据 Internet access through your mobile carrier instead of Wi-Fi.

我的移动数据不能用。 Wǒ de yídòng shùjù bù néng yòng. My mobile data does not work.

信号 The strength of your mobile or Wi-Fi connection. Weak signal can make internet slow or unavailable.

我的手机没有信号。 Wǒ de shǒujī méiyǒu xìnhào. My phone has no signal.

热点 Hotspot or tethering lets another device use your phone’s mobile data.

可以开热点吗？ Kěyǐ kāi rèdiǎn ma? Can I use hotspot?

Troubleshooting Steps

Step 1: Confirm the network name and password

If you cannot connect, first check that you selected the correct Wi-Fi network and entered the password correctly.

Step 2: Check verification requirements

Some public Wi-Fi networks require SMS verification or a phone number. Ask whether there is another login method.

Step 3: Move to a better signal area

If the signal is weak, ask staff where the signal is better. Thick walls, basements, or crowded areas may affect the connection.

Step 4: Restart the phone

Restarting the phone can help after changing SIM cards, activating eSIM, or adjusting network settings.

Step 5: Ask staff to check settings

If you still cannot connect, ask staff to check Wi-Fi, mobile data, roaming, or hotspot settings.

Useful Question Patterns

请问……是什么？ Use this to ask what something is, such as a Wi-Fi name or password.

请问 Wi-Fi 名称是什么？ Qǐngwèn Wāifāi míngchēng shì shénme? Excuse me, what is the Wi-Fi name?

我连不上…… Use this to say you cannot connect to something.

我连不上 Wi-Fi。 Wǒ lián bù shàng Wāifāi. I can’t connect to Wi-Fi.

……不能用。 Use this to say something does not work.

我的移动数据不能用。 Wǒ de yídòng shùjù bù néng yòng. My mobile data does not work.

请帮我检查一下…… Use this to ask someone to check something for you.

请帮我检查一下网络设置。 Qǐng bāng wǒ jiǎnchá yíxià wǎngluò shèzhì. Please help me check the network settings.

还是不能…… Use this to say something still does not work after trying.

还是不能上网。 Háishì bù néng shàngwǎng. I still can’t use the internet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I ask first at a hotel, café, or airport?

Ask whether Wi-Fi is available, then ask for the network name and password: 请问这里有 Wi-Fi 吗？请问 Wi-Fi 名称是什么？请问 Wi-Fi 密码是多少？

What if the Wi-Fi password does not work?

Say: 密码好像不对。 Then ask staff to write it down or enter it for you if appropriate.

What if Wi-Fi login needs a phone number?

Ask whether there is Wi-Fi that does not require a phone number: 有没有不用手机号的 Wi-Fi？

What if my mobile data does not work?

Say: 我的移动数据不能用。请帮我检查一下网络设置。 Staff may check mobile data, SIM selection, roaming, APN, or signal.

Safety and Privacy Tips

Use official networks when possible

At airports, hotels, and cafés, ask staff for the official Wi-Fi name. Avoid connecting to unknown look-alike networks.

Be careful with sensitive information

On public Wi-Fi, avoid entering passwords, banking details, or passport information unless you trust the network and page.

Ask staff for help, not random strangers

If you need help connecting or troubleshooting, ask official staff at the hotel, airport, café, or mobile shop.

Interactive Scenarios

Asking for Wi-Fi

  • Traveler请问这里有 Wi-Fi 吗？

    Qǐngwèn zhèlǐ yǒu Wāifāi ma?

    Excuse me, is there Wi-Fi here?

  • Traveler请问 Wi-Fi 密码是多少？

    Qǐngwèn Wāifāi mìmǎ shì duōshǎo?

    Excuse me, what is the Wi-Fi password?

  • Traveler可以帮我连接 Wi-Fi 吗？

    Kěyǐ bāng wǒ liánjiē Wāifāi ma?

    Could you help me connect to Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi cannot connect

  • Traveler我连不上 Wi-Fi。

    Wǒ lián bù shàng Wāifāi.

    I can’t connect to Wi-Fi.

  • Traveler密码好像不对。

    Mìmǎ hǎoxiàng bú duì.

    The password seems to be incorrect.

  • Traveler可以请您写下来吗？

    Kěyǐ qǐng nín xiě xiàlái ma?

    Could you please write it down?

Mobile data does not work

  • Traveler我的移动数据不能用。

    Wǒ de yídòng shùjù bù néng yòng.

    My mobile data does not work.

  • Traveler请帮我检查一下网络设置。

    Qǐng bāng wǒ jiǎnchá yíxià wǎngluò shèzhì.

    Please help me check the network settings.

  • Traveler还是不能上网。

    Háishì bù néng shàngwǎng.

    I still can’t use the internet.

Mini Quiz

How do you ask “What is the Wi-Fi password?”
  • 请问 Wi-Fi 密码是多少？ ✓ Answer
  • 请问出口在哪里？
  • 我来旅游。
Which phrase means “I can’t connect to Wi-Fi”?
  • 我连不上 Wi-Fi。 ✓ Answer
  • 我的手机没有信号。
  • 我需要七天的套餐。
Which phrase asks for help checking network settings?
  • 请帮我检查一下网络设置。 ✓ Answer
  • 请按计价器收费。
  • 可以用护照验证吗？
What should you ask if Wi-Fi requires a phone number?
  • 有没有不用手机号的 Wi-Fi？ ✓ Answer
  • 这个套餐多少钱？
  • 我的行李还没有出来。

Related travel guides