wifi密码是多少？

You can use this phrase exactly as it is. Just point to your phone and say it. If you want to be extra polite, add 请问 (qǐngwèn) at the start. That means 'May I ask.' It turns a demand into a polite request. Most people will just point to a sign or tell you the numbers.

Use it the moment you sit down at a cafe. Use it when you arrive at a friend's apartment. It is perfect for hotels or airport lounges. Even in a business meeting, it is a standard question. Everyone understands the struggle of a low data plan.

Don't use it if there is a giant sign on the wall. That makes you look a bit lazy! Avoid asking during a very solemn moment, like a speech. Also, don't ask a random stranger on the street. They won't have a hotspot for you most of the time. Stick to businesses or people you actually know.

China is a mobile-first society. Everything runs on apps like WeChat and Alipay. Because of this, Wi-Fi is like oxygen. In many Chinese restaurants, you might see a QR code instead. You scan it to get the password automatically. This is the 'high-tech' version of the phrase. Asking for the password is a great way to start a conversation with a waiter.

You might hear 密码是什么？ (mìmǎ shì shénme). This means 'What is the password?' It is also very common. Some people just say 有wifi吗？ (yǒu wifi ma). This means 'Is there Wi-Fi?' If they say yes, then you follow up with the password question. It's a two-step dance for the polite traveler.