Everyday Chinese · 10 min read
12 Chinese Texting Phrases for Natural Chats
Learn 12 common Chinese texting phrases for opening a chat, reacting, confirming plans, and signing off, with tone and usage explained.
Published
Natural Chinese texts are often shorter than their English translations. A two-character reply such as 收到 can confirm a plan, while 在吗 opens a chat but may feel abrupt when the relationship or context calls for more warmth.
The phrases below are common across Chinese messaging apps. Each note explains not only what the words mean, but also what tone they create and when a fuller sentence is safer.
Short does not always mean unfriendly
Subjects and repeated context are often omitted in Chinese messages, so replies such as 好, 行, and 收到 can be complete. With friends, this sounds efficient and natural. In a formal or delicate conversation, adding a greeting, a name, 请, or 谢谢 makes the same message warmer.
Punctuation also affects tone. A string of playful messages may use little punctuation, while a lone full stop can feel firm in some casual chats. There is no universal rule, so follow the tone already established in the conversation.
Starting and restarting a chat
Open a conversation, ask what someone is doing, or reconnect after time apart.
在吗？
Are you there?
Usage: A very common opener, but it withholds the reason for messaging. With colleagues or less familiar contacts, add your request in the same message.
Are you there? I want to ask you something.
干嘛呢？
What are you up to?
Usage: Casual and familiar. Depending on context and tone, 干嘛 can also mean 'why are you doing that?', so use this opener with people you know.
What are you up to at home this weekend?
最近怎么样？
How have you been lately?
Usage: A warm, flexible opener when you have not spoken for a while. It invites more than a yes-or-no reply.
We have not talked in a long time. How have you been?
好久不见
Long time no see
Usage: Works both in messages and face to face. In a text, follow it with a question or a reason for reconnecting.
Long time no see. Are you still in Beijing?
Quick reactions and replies
React naturally, acknowledge information, and keep the conversation moving.
哈哈哈
Hahaha
Usage: Repeated 哈 represents laughter. More characters can suggest stronger laughter, while a single 哈 may sound restrained or dry in some conversations.
Hahaha, this photo is so funny!
笑死我了
That cracked me up
Usage: An exaggerated casual reaction meaning something is extremely funny. It is not a literal statement and is best kept to informal chats.
The video you sent cracked me up.
没问题
No problem
Usage: Confirms that a request or arrangement is acceptable. It is more explicit and reassuring than replying with 好 alone.
No problem. I will send it to you tomorrow.
收到
Got it
Usage: A concise acknowledgment common in work and group chats. Add 谢谢 when someone has sent help or completed a favor, not merely information.
Got it. Thanks for the reminder.
Plans, delays, and signing off
Set expectations when you are busy, on the way, or ready to end the chat.
稍等一下
Wait a moment
Usage: Polite and broadly usable. In a message, it tells the other person you have seen their request and need a little time.
Wait a moment; I will reply to you shortly.
马上到
Almost there
Usage: Literally 'arriving immediately.' Use it only when arrival is genuinely close; otherwise give a realistic number of minutes.
I have already gotten off the bus. I am almost there.
改天聊
Let's chat another day
Usage: A casual way to postpone or end a conversation. Add a brief reason or 下次再聊 if you want the sign-off to feel warmer.
I have a meeting now. Let's chat another day.
晚安
Good night
Usage: A normal end-of-day sign-off with friends, family, or a partner. It is more personal than simply ending the exchange without a closing.
It is getting late. Good night!
Text naturally without sounding abrupt
- Use 在吗 with friends, but include the reason for writing when the message is formal or time-sensitive.
- 收到 acknowledges information; 没问题 agrees to a request or plan.
- When timing matters, replace vague 马上到 with an honest estimate such as 还有十分钟.
Put it into practice
Practise the Chinese you just learned
Paste a word, phrase, or passage to hear it in Mandarin and follow the text with karaoke highlighting.
Hear Chinese read aloud →Frequently asked questions
How do Chinese speakers say LOL in text?
哈哈哈 is the safest common equivalent of written laughter. 笑死我了 is a stronger, highly casual reaction meaning that something was extremely funny.
What does 666 mean in Chinese texting?
666 can praise someone as skillful or impressive, especially in gaming and internet contexts. It is slang rather than a neutral reply, so it does not fit every age group or formal conversation.
Is 在吗 rude in Chinese?
It is normal among familiar contacts, but a message containing only 在吗 can create uncertainty because it hides the reason for writing. In work or less familiar conversations, state the request in the same message.