Navigate Growing Scrutiny as a Foreigner With These Phrases

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With foreigners unable to enter China for the foreseeable future and reports of isolated incidents of xenophobia on the rise, it's likely inevitable that expats will encounter growing scrutiny whether it be from their neighbors, compound or streetside secuity, or even places of work.

Even though Beijing remains relatively safe, it pays to be more vigilant than usual when in public and to exercise increased caution when dealing with additional scrutiny from security guards or local police. It also helps to maintain a cool head and remember that the person enforcing the rules is unlikely to be the one to have made them.

When language becomes an issue, try to have the contact of a Chinese friend on hand, and should you need to navigate a particularly tricky situation, have your embassy's details noted down somewhere.

In the meantime, here are some phrases that will hopefully see you through day-to-day encounters.

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I have already completed my 14-day quarantine.
我已经隔离过14天了。wǒ yǐjīng gélíguò shísì tiānle.

I have stayed in Beijing this entire time, and never left the country.
我一直待在北京，没出过国。wǒ yīzhí dài zài běijīng, méi chūguò guó.

I have taken a nucleic acid test and the result was negative.
我做过核酸检测了，是阴性。wǒ zuòguò hésuān jiǎncèle, shì yīnxìng.

I have never been to Hubei.
我没去过湖北。wǒ méi qùguò húběi.

I am from xxx (country name), which is not a severely affected area.
我来自xxx，那里疫情不严重。wǒ láizì xxx, nàlǐ yìqíng bù yánzhòng.

This is my pass. (For buildings, compounds, offices, etc.)
这是我的出入证。zhè shì wǒ de chūrù zhèng.

Please come see me after you put on a mask.
请带好口罩再和我见面。qǐng dàihǎo kǒuzhào zài hé wǒ jiànmiàn.

Wait a moment, I'll call my friend for a better translation.
稍等，我给朋友打个电话，请他帮我翻译。shāo děng, wǒ gěi péngyǒu dǎ gè diànhuà, qǐng tā bāng wǒ fānyì.

Please let me contact my embassy.
请让我和大使馆联络一下。qǐng ràng wǒ hé dàshǐ guǎn liánluò yīxià.

And finally...

I am sorry, it is hay fever that is making me sneeze and my nose run, not the coronavirus.
不好意思，我流鼻涕，打喷嚏是因为过敏，请别紧张。bù hǎoyìsi, wǒliú bítì, dǎ pēntì shì yīnwéi guòmǐn, qǐng bié jǐnzhāng.

Remember, the best way to keep yourself and everyone safe is by staying up to date and aware of the current quarantine restrictions. You can do so by following our Wechat official account (ID: theBeijinger).

Image: Giphy

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