Mandarin phrases for qingzhen and halal questions
The sign says qingzhen, and you want to know what the staff mean by it.
A short Mandarin card gets you further in China and Taiwan than a long English explanation. The word to learn first is qingzhen, and the habit to learn with it is asking for evidence. This page gives you the word, a short phrase list with pinyin and the points where a phrase stops being enough.
What does qingzhen mean?
Qingzhen is written 清真 and said “ching-jun”, with the tones qīngzhēn. It is the Chinese word used for halal, and you will see it on restaurant signs, packaged food and Muslim neighbourhoods.
A qingzhen sign shows how the place presents itself. It does not say which body certified it, or whether this branch holds a valid certificate. Our guides to what qingzhen means and how far to trust it and why a Muslim restaurant in China is not always halal-certified go through the difference. For the claim states, see our five halal claim states.
Which phrases do I need?
Show the written form and say the pinyin if you can. Ask one question at a time.
| Meaning | Simplified | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| Is this place qingzhen? | 这里是清真吗？ | Zhèlǐ shì qīngzhēn ma? |
| Do you have a qingzhen certificate? | 有清真证书吗？ | Yǒu qīngzhēn zhèngshū ma? |
| Does this dish have pork? | 这道菜有猪肉吗？ | Zhè dào cài yǒu zhūròu ma? |
| Does it have lard? | 有猪油吗？ | Yǒu zhūyóu ma? |
| Is there cooking wine or alcohol? | 有料酒或酒吗？ | Yǒu liàojiǔ huò jiǔ ma? |
| What is the broth made from? | 汤是用什么熬的？ | Tāng shì yòng shénme áo de? |
| I do not eat pork, lard or alcohol. | 我不吃猪肉、猪油和酒。 | Wǒ bù chī zhūròu, zhūyóu hé jiǔ. |
| Vegetarian, please. | 请给我素食。 | Qǐng gěi wǒ sùshí. |
| Thank you. | 谢谢。 | Xièxie. |
In Taiwan, written signs and menus use traditional characters. Show 豬肉 for pork, 豬油 for lard and 證書 for certificate. The spoken words stay the same.
How do I use them in a restaurant?
Start with the certificate question, then ask about pork, lard and alcohol. Point at each line on your phone. Wait for the answer, then ask the next one.
If the answer is yes to the certificate, ask to see it and check who issued it. For China, JAKIM (Malaysia’s halal authority) names bodies including Shandong Halal Certification Service, Linxia Halal Food Certification Centre and Shanghai Global Halal Certification Service1.
For Taiwan, JAKIM names the Taiwan Halal Integrity Development Association and Taiwan Halal Certification Development Co., Ltd2. Check the current list before you fly. Our guide to reading halal certification in Taiwan shows how to read the signs.
Where does a phrase stop being enough?
A phrase cannot check the kitchen. A nod can mean “I heard you”. Treat any answer without evidence as declared or unknown, and carry reserve food.
The broth is a blind spot, because staff may not know what is in a stock. If the answer is vague, choose a vegetarian dish, but still ask about the oil and sauces. Our guide to the Chinese hotel breakfast covers broths and congee.
What should I not bring?
A Chongqing municipal government customs FAQ states individuals are prohibited from bringing raw or cooked meat, including offal, into China in baggage or by post3. Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency tells travellers not to bring meat-containing foods, other animal products, or meals provided on flights4. Leave meat packets at home.
Where do I go next?
Read the destination guides for China and Taiwan. The dietary enquiry brief generator turns your own meal rule into a short list. For more preparation, see the transit and preparation hub.
If you want a printed card with these phrases checked for your route, send us the cities you plan to visit and we will help you set out a short list for the right place.
Common questions
What does qingzhen mean on a restaurant sign?
Qingzhen is the Chinese word used for halal. A sign with it shows the restaurant presents itself as serving Muslim-style food. It does not tell you who certified it, or whether this branch holds a valid certificate. Ask to see the certificate and read who issued it.
Are the phrases the same in China and Taiwan?
Both use Mandarin, but Taiwan writes in traditional characters, and China uses simplified ones. The spoken phrases are the same. Show the written form that matches the place: pork is 猪肉 in simplified characters and 豬肉 in traditional ones.
Can I just say halal in English?
Some staff in tourist areas may understand, but do not rely on it. Say or show qingzhen, name pork, lard and alcohol, and ask for a yes or no. A written card helps when your pronunciation and the staff's hearing do not meet.
What if I do not speak Mandarin at all?
Show the written phrases on your phone instead of saying them. Point to each line. If a Chinese-speaking friend or a hotel front desk can read your list aloud once, you will recognise the answers yes and no, and that is enough to act on.
Can I bring my own meat or packets into China or Taiwan?
Do not. A Chongqing municipal customs FAQ states individuals are prohibited from bringing raw or cooked meat into China, and Taiwan's immigration agency tells travellers not to bring meat-containing foods. Carry sealed non-meat reserve food only.
Sources
- JAKIM's 21 August 2026 list names Chinese bodies including Shandong Halal Certification Service (SHC), ARA Halal Certification Services Centre (Henan), Linxia Halal Food Certification Centre (Gansu), Shaanxi Shang Pin Yuan (SSPY), Halal Certification Services Chongqing (HCS) and Shanghai Global Halal Certification Service (SGH). JAKIM, Recognized Foreign Halal Certification Bodies & Authorities (effective 21 August 2026). Entries 19-24 verified; China section spans pages 15-16.
- JAKIM's 21 August 2026 list recognises two Taiwanese bodies: Taiwan Halal Integrity Development Association (THIDA), Taipei, and Taiwan Halal Certification Development Co., Ltd (THCD), Kaohsiung. JAKIM, Recognized Foreign Halal Certification Bodies & Authorities (effective 21 August 2026). Chinese Muslim Association (CMA) does not appear in this list.
- A Chongqing municipal government customs FAQ states individuals are prohibited from bringing raw or cooked meat, including offal, into China in baggage or sending such items into China by post. Chongqing Municipal Government FAQ (June 2026). Local-government page, not GACC itself.
- Taiwan's National Immigration Agency notice tells travellers not to bring any meat-containing foods, other animal products, or meals provided on flights. Taiwan National Immigration Agency
Keep planning
If you want a printed card with these phrases checked for your route, send us the cities you plan to visit and we will help you set out a short list for the right place.