Right now, with Shanghai currently back on lockdown, foreigners either living in or who are stuck in the city may find it a little difficult to navigate the city. Given the state of the world, there are several key phrases that foreigners should show and be able to read. You don’t necessarily need to know how to say them but being able to recognize them is highly beneficial. Residents of Shanghai want foreigners to be comfortable and confident living in their home! These 8 Chinese words will aid in that aspect!

Let’s talk about 8 Chinese words you need to know living in Shanghai right now.

1. 封城  fēng chéng：Lockdown

Of course, with China currently in lockdown, this is beneficial to know as a foreigner. This word will display on TV screens, phones, even be posted in window displays. If you’re currently in Shanghai, you need to know this phrase for the sake of staying safe. 

2. 核酸测试  hésuān cèshì：Nucleic acid test

These are the tests that you use to see if you have Covid-19. If for someone reason you are asked to get a test or you are displaying symptoms, you’ll need to look for this phrase! Before, you’ll just be able to find it in local pharmacies and doctor’s offices, but now you can hear it everywhere.  

Positive is a key phrase right now. Not only is it something you need to know in regard to Covid-19 testing, but it’s also just a phrase that locals like you to be aware of! If you do see this word on your Covid test though, it is likely that you will be quarantined now. 

4. 阴性  yīn xìng：Negative

Equally as important as positive, negative is vital to living safely in Shanghai right now. If you need a Covid test, you of course need to know how to read the results! Without the ability to know if you tested negative or positive, the test is kind of useless. Residents of Shanghai want to stay safe just as much as they want you to remain safe! 

5. 抗原检测  kàngyuán jiǎncè：Antigen test

Antigen tests are another kind of Covid-19 test that provides results in a different time frame. These tests are fairly accessible. If you’re showing signs of the disease and you want to take a test, knowing this phrase will help you find a test or a testing center! 

6. 确诊病例  quèzhěn bìnglì：Confirmed cases

Right now, this is one of the most important phrases to know for foreigners living in Shanghai. Confirmed cases tell you if you the numbers are rising, lowering, or stabilizing. It can help you decide how active you’re going to be in the community! 

7. 无症状感染者  wú zhèngzhuàng gǎnrǎnzhě：Asymptomatic cases

This phrase is also highly beneficial as it tells you whether or not people are asymptomatic. Asymptomatic simply means that you are infected, but you do not show symptoms. This doesn’t mean you are any less contagious though! Knowing this phrase helps non-residents understand the current status in the country and decide if they’re going to risk going out and about or not. 

8. 密接  mì jiē：Close contact

The final phrase is the phrase for close contact. This is helpful when walking around time and determining what certain places are doing. Some places in Shanghai are on no-close-contact orders while others do not care as much. Most places have this phrase posted on their doors or in windows so you know how to behave when you enter the area! 

There are so many phrases that you could benefit from knowing when staying in Shanghai! Make sure to check out the Mandarininn to learn mandarin online from wherever you are so that you can feel confident and comfortable when in the country. These 8 phrases though are recommended for memorizing so that you can feel safe and be safe when in Shanghai right now.