Essential Chinese Phrases for Dining Out: A Practical Guide to Ordering Food

Navigating a restaurant in a foreign country can be challenging, but mastering a few key phrases can significantly enhance your dining experience. In China, knowing how to communicate your needs effectively ensures you enjoy the delicious local cuisine without frustration. This guide covers the fundamental Chinese phrases you’ll need, from getting the menu to asking for the bill.

Getting Started: Requesting the Menu and Seating

When you first enter a restaurant, staff will often greet you. A polite way to ask for a menu is:

• 请问有菜单吗？(Qǐngwèn yǒu càidān ma?) – “Excuse me, do you have a menu?”

If you have a specific table in mind or want to be seated, you can say:

• 我们两个人。(Wǒmen liǎng gè rén.) – “It’s just two of us.” (Indicating party size)
• 有空桌子吗？(Yǒu kòng zhuōzi ma?) – “Is there an empty table?”

Browsing the Menu: Key Vocabulary

Menus in China often feature a mix of pictures and Chinese text. Familiarizing yourself with common terms helps.

• 菜 (cài) – Dish / Food (General term)
• 主食 (zhǔshí) – Staple food (Rice, noodles, bread)
• 汤 (tāng) – Soup
• 饮料 (yǐnliào) – Beverage / Drink
• 水 (shuǐ) – Water
• 啤酒 (píjiǔ) – Beer
• 茶 (chá) – Tea
• 菜单 (càidān) – Menu
• 特色菜 (tèsè cài) – Special dish
• 辣 (là) – Spicy
• 不辣 (bù là) – Not spicy

Ordering Your Meal: Essential Sentence Patterns

Once you’ve decided what to eat, use these structures to place your order:

• 我要… (Wǒ yào…) – “I want…” (Direct and common)
  • Example: 我要一份宫保鸡丁。(Wǒ yào yí fèn Gōngbǎo jīdīng.) – “I want a serving of Kung Pao Chicken.”
• 请给我… (Qǐng gěi wǒ…) – “Please give me…” (More polite)
  • Example: 请给我来碗米饭。(Qǐng gěi wǒ lái wǎn mǐfàn.) – “Please give me a bowl of rice.”
• 点菜 (Diǎn cài) – “Order dishes” (Often said to the waiter to indicate readiness)

To ask for recommendations:

• 有什么推荐的吗？(Yǒu shénme tuījiàn de ma?) – “Do you have any recommendations?”

Asking Questions About Dishes

It’s common to inquire about ingredients, spiciness, or preparation.

• 这个菜辣吗？(Zhège cài là ma?) – “Is this dish spicy?”
• 这个菜里有什么？(Zhège cài lǐ yǒu shénme?) – “What’s in this dish?”
• 可以不要…吗？(Kěyǐ bùyào… ma?) – “Can I have it without…?”
  • Example: 可以不要葱吗？(Kěyǐ bùyào cōng ma?) – “Can I have it without scallions?”

Specifying Quantities and Preferences

• 一份 (yí fèn) – One serving
• 两份 (liǎng fèn) – Two servings
• 一碗 (yì wǎn) – One bowl (for rice, soup)
• 一瓶 (yì píng) – One bottle (for beer, soda)
• 要…不要… (Yào… bùyào…) – “Want… don’t want…”
  • Example: 我要米饭，不要面条。(Wǒ yào mǐfàn, bùyào miàntiáo.) – “I want rice, not noodles.”

Checking the Price and Making Requests

To inquire about the cost:

• 这个多少钱？(Zhège duōshǎo qián?) – “How much is this?”

If you need something during the meal:

• 请再给我一点… (Qǐng zài gěi wǒ yìdiǎn…) – “Please give me a little more…”
  • Example: 请再给我一点水。(Qǐng zài gěi wǒ yìdiǎn shuǐ.) – “Please give me a little more water.”
• 不好意思… (Bù hǎoyìsi…) – “Excuse me…” (Polite way to get attention)

Finishing Your Meal: Asking for the Bill

When you’re ready to leave, signal for the check:

• 买单 (Mǎidān) – “Pay the bill” (Commonly used)
• 结账 (Jiézhàng) – “Settle the bill” (Also common)
• 服务员！(Fúwùyuán!) – “Waiter!” (To get attention, though calling out “买单” is often sufficient)

Understanding these core phrases empowers you to confidently navigate most dining situations in China. Practice makes perfect, and using these expressions will not only help you get the food you want but also show respect for the local culture. For more practical guides on using Chinese in daily life scenarios, explore our Chinese Knowledge Hub . If you’re looking to practice these phrases in a real-world context with native speakers, consider engaging in conversation practice to build fluency and confidence.