What to do when a Didi driver calls in Chinese
Keep the ride open, stay at the pickup pin, and switch from a difficult voice call to a short written message. Tell the driver you do not speak Chinese and ask them to follow the pinned location.
Short answer
What should I do when a Didi driver calls and I do not speak Chinese?
What to do
- 1Open the ride screen before answering so the pickup pin and vehicle details stay visible.
- 2If the call is difficult, send a written message instead of guessing what was said.
- 3Stand at the pinned pickup point and compare the vehicle details before getting in.
- 4If the driver cannot find you, show the Chinese address or message on your phone.
Keep the ride screen open
The pickup pin, vehicle details, driver status, and message controls are more useful than trying to understand every word on the call. Stay where the app expects you to be unless the official pickup instructions clearly tell you to move.
Switch from voice to written context
A short message can communicate three useful facts: you do not speak Chinese, you are at the pinned location, and the driver should follow the navigation. Send the message together with the location rather than relying on repeated English over a noisy call.
Verify the handoff before boarding
When the car arrives, compare the vehicle and trip details shown in the app. Keep the destination visible and avoid getting into a different vehicle simply because someone calls out or gestures near the pickup area.
Useful phrases
您好，我不会说中文。我在定位的位置，请按导航来，谢谢。
Nín hǎo, wǒ bú huì shuō Zhōngwén. Wǒ zài dìngwèi de wèizhi, qǐng àn dǎoháng lái, xièxie.
Hello, I don't speak Chinese. I'm at the pinned location. Please follow the navigation. Thank you.
Pickup points, app flows, and driver communication can vary by city and service. Stay in a safe, permitted pickup area and confirm the vehicle and destination in the app before boarding.
Common questions
Should I answer a Didi driver's call if I do not speak Chinese?
You can answer briefly, but do not guess through a long conversation. Keep the ride open and follow with a prepared written message and the pinned location.
What should the Chinese pickup message say?
State that you do not speak Chinese, that you are at the pinned location, and ask the driver to follow the navigation. Keep the message polite and short.
What if the driver still cannot find me?
Check the app's pickup instructions, nearby landmark, level, gate, or zone. Send a photo or precise written detail if the app supports it, and move only when you can identify the correct official pickup point.