Room Problems in a Chinese Hotel: What to Say at the Desk
Something in the room almost always needs fixing, and the fastest fix is a short sentence at the desk or a quick call downstairs. Staff are used to these requests and move quickly once they understand the words.
The trick is to name the broken thing with the simplest possible phrase. Point at the object, say what is wrong with it, and finish with 谢谢 — that is usually enough to get someone to your door within the hour.
Useful phrases
- 空调坏了。The air conditioning is broken.
坏的 (huài de) is the general word for broken. Swap the object and you can report almost anything: 灯坏了, 电视坏了, 门坏了.
- 没有热水。There's no hot water.
In older hotels the hot water runs on a schedule, often mornings and evenings only. Ask what time it comes on before you assume the boiler is dead.
- 马桶堵了。The toilet is blocked.
马桶 (mǎtǒng) is the toilet and 堵 (dǔ) means blocked. Do not keep flushing — tell the desk and let them send someone.
- 房间太吵了。The room is too noisy.
吵 (chǎo) means noisy. Rooms over a main road or above a karaoke bar are the usual culprits; say this early while quieter rooms are still free.
- 隔壁很吵。The room next door is very noisy.
隔壁 (gébì) means next door. If it is a construction site or a night market outside, the desk can often move you to a room on the courtyard side instead.
- 可以换个房间吗？Can I change rooms?
换 (huàn) is to change or swap. Ask before touching anything in the room, because some hotels charge for a switch once you have settled in.
- 请派人来看一下。Please send someone to look at it.
This one sentence handles repairs, leaks and broken locks alike. Point at the problem as you say it so there is no doubt what needs fixing.
- 无线网连不上。I can't connect to the WiFi.
连不上 means cannot connect. Most hotel networks need the password from the desk plus a login page that only opens the first time you join.
- 门卡打不开。The key card won't open the door.
Cards demagnetize fast next to a phone or a power bank. The desk can re-code it in seconds, so take the card down rather than the whole bag.
- 再要一条毛巾。One more towel, please.
条 (tiáo) is the measure word for towels and trousers. Hotels often stock only one set per guest, so ask again rather than expecting a spare in the cupboard.
- 再要一个枕头。One more pillow, please.
Chinese hotel pillows are often thin or firm. If you need two, ask early; on a full night the desk may run short.
- 房间还没打扫。The room hasn't been cleaned yet.
打扫 (dǎsǎo) is to clean. Hang the sign on the door handle if you want housekeeping to skip you; do not hang it if you want the room done.
- 有蚊子。There are mosquitoes.
Warm, wet regions have mosquitoes year-round. Ask for an electric repellent or a plug-in mat; the front desk usually keeps a drawer of them.
Quick cultural tip
When to say yes to a switch
A move to another room is often easier and faster than a repair. If the problem is noise, water or a smell, ask for a new room straight away rather than waiting for a technician who may only arrive the next morning.
Check the new room before you accept it. Hotels tend to offer the emptiest room on the quietest floor, which is not always the nicest one, and a quick look saves you a second trip down to the desk.