Ask for common polite phrases to use when ordering in Chinese
Taste of China: A Guide to Ordering Food & Drinks in Chinese Restaurants: Ask for common polite phrases to use when ordering in Chinese
Here are some common polite phrases to use when ordering in Chinese:
- 请问，我要点菜。 (Qǐngwèn, wǒ yào diǎn cài.) — “Excuse me, I would like to order.”
- 我要一份这个。 (Wǒ yào yī fèn zhè ge.) — “I would like one order of this.” (Use when pointing at a menu item.)
- 请给我这个。 (Qǐng gěi wǒ zhè ge.) — “Please give me this one.”
- 您好，服务员。 (Nín hǎo, fúwùyuán.) — “Hello, waiter/waitress.” (Polite way to call the server.)
- 请问，菜单在哪儿？ (Qǐngwèn, càidān zài nǎr?) — “Excuse me, where is the menu?”
- 你们有什么推荐的吗？ (Nǐmen yǒu shénme tuījiàn de ma?) — “Do you have any recommendations?”
- 我想要…… (Wǒ xiǎng yào…) — “I would like to have…”
- 可以帮我加点儿吗？ (Kěyǐ bāng wǒ jiā diǎnr ma?) — “Can you help me add a little more?”
- 麻烦你了，谢谢！ (Máfan nǐ le, xièxiè!) — “Sorry to trouble you, thank you!” (Polite after a request is fulfilled)
- 请不要加味精。 (Qǐng bù yào jiā wèijīng.) — “Please don’t add MSG.”
- 我们分开付账可以吗？ (Wǒmen fēnkāi fù zhàng kěyǐ ma?) — “Can we split the bill?”
- 买单，谢谢。 (Mǎidān, xièxiè.) — “The bill please, thank you.”
To order dishes, a common phrase pattern is:
- 我要 + number + 份 + dish name。 For example:
- 我要两份宫保鸡丁。 (Wǒ yào liǎng fèn gōng bǎo jī dīng.) — “I would like two orders of Kung Pao chicken.”
For drinks:
- 我要 + number + 杯 + drink。 Example:
- 我要一杯茶。 (Wǒ yào yī bēi chá.) — “I want a cup of tea.”
These phrases are polite and practical for ordering food, drinks, asking about the menu, and settling the bill in Chinese restaurants.