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How to Communicate with Your Didi Driver in English

Last updated: 2026-04-30

Most Didi drivers in China speak little or no English. That's fine —

Didi
Didi
transportation · beginner
View Guide → has built-in tools that handle the language gap. The destination is already loaded in the driver's app, so most rides require zero communication. When you do need to say something, here's how.

The In-App Chat with Translation

Didi has a built-in chat between passenger and driver with automatic translation. Messages you type in English are translated to Chinese for the driver; their Chinese replies are translated to English for you.

To open the chat: tap the chat bubble icon on the ride tracking screen (visible once a driver is matched). Type your message in English and send. The driver sees it in Chinese.

Common messages to send:

  • "I'm at the north entrance" — if the pickup location is ambiguous
  • "Please wait 2 minutes, I'm coming down now"
  • "Can you turn on the air conditioning?"
  • "Please drop me off at the side entrance"

Pre-Set Quick Messages

Didi offers a set of pre-translated quick messages you can tap without typing. Look for the speech bubble icon → Quick Messages. Common options include "I'm on my way," "Please wait," and "I'm at the entrance." These are already translated and send instantly.

Sharing Your Location More Precisely

If the driver is having trouble finding you:

  1. 1. Check the pickup pin on the map

    On the ride tracking screen, verify the blue pickup pin is at your actual location. If it's off, you can't move it after booking — use the chat to describe where you are.

  2. 2. Describe a landmark

    Type in the chat: 'I am near [landmark name]' or 'I am at the [color] building entrance.' Drivers know local landmarks well.

  3. 3. Call the driver if needed

    Tap the phone icon to call the driver directly. Didi provides a masked number — your real number is not shared. If you don't speak Chinese, try saying the landmark name slowly — many drivers recognize place names even without English.

Useful Phrases to Know

Even with translation tools, knowing a few Chinese phrases helps:

  • 我在这里 (Wǒ zài zhèlǐ) — "I'm here"
  • 请等一下 (Qǐng děng yīxià) — "Please wait a moment"
  • 谢谢 (Xièxiè) — "Thank you"
  • 到了 (Dào le) — "We've arrived" / "I'm here"
✓

Screenshot your hotel's address in Chinese before going out. If you get lost or need to show a driver where to go, showing the Chinese address is faster than any translation app.

Practical Tips

  • Destination is pre-loaded: The driver already has your destination in their app. You don't need to say anything about where you're going.
  • Driver calls: If the driver calls and you can't communicate, stay calm and stay at your pickup location. They're usually just confirming you're nearby.
  • Rating: After the ride, you can rate the driver. Drivers with high ratings tend to be more experienced with foreign passengers.