Chinese phrases
How to say I’m on my way in Chinese
I’m on my way in Chinese is 我在路上了 (wǒ zài lù shang le), “I’m on the road.” In a text, people also write 马上到 (mǎ shàng dào), “almost there.”
我在路上了
I’m on my way
Ways to say I’m on my way
我在路上了
EverydayI’m on my way
In a call or a text, once you have left and are travelling.
马上到
Textingalmost there
When you are close, or want to sound close. 马上 is loose: it can mean two minutes or twenty.
快到了
Everydaynearly there
When you are close. It is also the friendly white lie of anyone running late, and friends hear it with a smile.
我出门了
TextingI’ve left the house
Honest and useful: it tells the other person when to expect you.
还有五分钟
Everydayfive more minutes
Give a number when you can. Change the number: 还有十分钟.
When you get there
我到了
I’m here
The text you send when you arrive.
你在哪
where are you?
When you arrive and can’t see the other person.
我在门口
I’m at the entrance
Change the place: a station exit, a restaurant door.
Common mistakes
Translating “on my way” word for word
在我的路上 is a literal translation that nobody says. Say 我在路上了: “I’m on the road.”
Believing 快到了
快到了 can come from someone still at home. Ask 还有多久 for a real answer, and give a number yourself: 还有五分钟.
Meeting a friend
你到哪了？
Liangliang: Where are you?
我在路上了，还有五分钟。
Leon: I’m on my way. Five more minutes.
好，我在门口等你。
Liangliang: OK, I’ll wait for you at the entrance.
马上到！
Leon: Almost there!
