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Restaurant Phrases 餐厅用语

Order food and dine with confidence in China

Why Learn Restaurant Phrases in Chinese?

Dining is a central part of Chinese culture, and knowing how to order food and communicate in restaurants will greatly enhance your travel experience. Whether you're ordering from a menu, asking about ingredients, or expressing preferences, these phrases will help you navigate Chinese restaurants with confidence.

Quick Facts About Dining in China

  • Shared Dishes: Chinese meals typically consist of shared dishes
  • Tea Culture: Tea is often served automatically and may be refilled
  • Chopsticks: The primary eating utensil in China
  • Spicy Food: Many regions are known for their spicy cuisine
  • Street Food: Abundant and diverse options available

Basic Restaurant Vocabulary

English Chinese Pinyin
Restaurant 餐厅 cāntīng
Menu 菜单 càidān
Waiter/Waitress 服务员 fúwùyuán
Bill/Check 账单 zhàngdān
Chopsticks 筷子 kuàizi
Tea 茶 chá
Water 水 shuǐ
Rice 米饭 mǐfàn
Listen to pronunciation: 菜单, 服务员, 筷子 (càidān, fúwùyuán, kuàizi)

Ordering Food

Basic Phrases

Essential phrases for ordering food:

  • 我要... (wǒ yào...) - I want...
  • 请给我... (qǐng gěi wǒ...) - Please give me...
  • 这个 (zhège) - This one
  • 那个 (nàge) - That one
  • 一份 (yī fèn) - One portion

Special Requests

Phrases for making special requests:

  • 不要... (bù yào...) - Don't want...
  • 少放... (shǎo fàng...) - Less...
  • 多放... (duō fàng...) - More...
  • 不要太辣 (bù yào tài là) - Not too spicy
  • 不要辣 (bù yào là) - No spicy

Common Questions

Questions you might need to ask:

  • 这是什么？ (zhè shì shénme?) - What is this?
  • 有什么推荐？ (yǒu shénme tuījiàn?) - What do you recommend?
  • 这个辣吗？ (zhège là ma?) - Is this spicy?
  • 有英文菜单吗？ (yǒu yīngwén càidān ma?) - Do you have an English menu?

During the Meal

English Chinese Pinyin
Delicious 好吃 hǎochī
Cheers 干杯 gānbēi
More tea, please 请加茶 qǐng jiā chá
Water, please 请给我水 qǐng gěi wǒ shuǐ
Napkin 餐巾纸 cānjīnzhǐ
Bowl 碗 wǎn
Plate 盘子 pánzi
Fork 叉子 chāzi
Spoon 勺子 sháozi

Paying the Bill

Requesting the Bill

Phrases for paying the bill:

  • 买单 (mǎidān) - Check, please
  • 结账 (jiézhàng) - Pay the bill
  • 多少钱？ (duōshao qián?) - How much is it?
  • 可以刷卡吗？ (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?) - Can I pay by card?
  • 可以微信支付吗？ (kěyǐ wēixìn zhīfù ma?) - Can I pay with WeChat?

Common Responses

Responses you might hear:

  • 现金 (xiànjīn) - Cash
  • 支付宝 (zhīfùbǎo) - Alipay
  • 微信 (wēixìn) - WeChat
  • 信用卡 (xìnyòngkǎ) - Credit card
  • 不收信用卡 (bù shōu xìnyòngkǎ) - We don't accept credit cards

Thank You

Expressions of gratitude:

  • 谢谢 (xièxiè) - Thank you
  • 很好吃 (hěn hǎochī) - Very delicious
  • 再见 (zàijiàn) - Goodbye
  • 欢迎再来 (huānyíng zàilái) - Welcome back

Dietary Restrictions

Communicating Dietary Needs

  • 我是素食者 (wǒ shì sùshízhě): I am a vegetarian
  • 我不吃猪肉 (wǒ bù chī zhūròu): I don't eat pork
  • 我不吃牛肉 (wǒ bù chī niúròu): I don't eat beef
  • 我不吃海鲜 (wǒ bù chī hǎixiān): I don't eat seafood
  • 我对...过敏 (wǒ duì... guòmǐn): I am allergic to...
  • 我不吃辣 (wǒ bù chī là): I don't eat spicy food

In China, dietary restrictions are less common than in some Western countries, so it's important to be clear about your needs. Many restaurants may not be familiar with concepts like vegetarianism or food allergies, so being able to explain your requirements in Chinese is very helpful.

Practical Tips

Making the Most of Your Restaurant Experience

  • Learn to use chopsticks: While forks are often available, using chopsticks shows respect for the culture
  • Know your spice level: Chinese cuisine can be very spicy, so know how to express your preference
  • Have your dietary restrictions written down: If you have allergies or restrictions, have them written in Chinese
  • Learn to recognize common ingredients: Knowing basic food vocabulary helps avoid unwanted ingredients
  • Be prepared for shared dishes: Chinese meals typically consist of shared dishes, not individual plates

Remember that dining in China is often a social experience. Don't be surprised if locals are curious about your food preferences or if they want to practice their English with you. Being able to respond in Chinese, even with basic phrases, will be greatly appreciated.

Additional Resources