Simplified Chinese - Lesson 100 of 156: Ordering Food

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

我想要___

Wǒ xiǎng yào ___.

I'd like ___.

Meaning: I'd like ___.

When to use: Use this to politely tell staff what you want to order in a restaurant or café.

我想要一碗牛肉面。

Wǒ xiǎng yào yì wǎn niúròu miàn.

I'd like a bowl of beef noodles.

我想要一杯绿茶，谢谢。

Wǒ xiǎng yào yì bēi lǜchá, xièxie.

I'd like a cup of green tea, thanks.

可以看一下菜单吗？

Kěyǐ kàn yíxià càidān ma?

Can I see the menu?

Meaning: Can I see the menu?

When to use: Ask this at the start when you want to look at the food or drink options.

请问，可以看一下菜单吗？

Qǐngwèn, kěyǐ kàn yíxià càidān ma?

Excuse me, can I see the menu?

我们先看菜单，可以看一下菜单吗？

Wǒmen xiān kàn càidān, kěyǐ kàn yíxià càidān ma?

Let's look at the menu first — can we see the menu?

就这些，谢谢

Jiù zhèxiē, xièxie.

That's all, thanks.

Meaning: That's all, thanks.

When to use: Say this when you have finished ordering and there is nothing more to add.

就这些，谢谢

Jiù zhèxiē, xièxie.

That's all, thanks.

我们就这些，谢谢。可以下单了吗？

Wǒmen jiù zhèxiē, xièxie. Kěyǐ xiàdān le ma?

That's all for us, thanks. Can we place the order?

要小份的___，谢谢。

Yào xiǎo fèn de ___, xièxie.

A small ___, please.

Meaning: A small ___, please.

When to use: Use to ask for a smaller portion of a food item; for drinks say 小杯的___ instead.

Tip: Don't mix with drinks — say 小杯 for drinks instead of 小份.

要小份的炒饭，谢谢。

Yào xiǎo fèn de chǎofàn, xièxie.

A small portion of fried rice, please.

我要小份的沙拉，谢谢。

Wǒ yào xiǎo fèn de shālā, xièxie.

I'd like a small salad, thanks.

不要___，谢谢。

Bú yào ___, xièxie.

No ___, please.

Meaning: No ___, please.

When to use: Use this to tell the server you don't want a particular ingredient or item.

Tip: Beginners sometimes drop 不 and say 没有___ which sounds different; stick with 不要___ for requests.

不要洋葱，谢谢。

Bú yào yángcōng, xièxie.

No onions, please.

这道菜不要辣椒，谢谢。

Zhè dào cài bú yào làjiāo, xièxie.

No chili in this dish, please.

可以结账吗

Kěyǐ jiézhàng ma?

Can I have the check, please?

Meaning: Can I have the check, please?

When to use: Ask this when you are ready to pay at the end of the meal.

Tip: Sometimes learners say 买单 (mǎidān) which is fine; don't confuse with other verbs.

我们吃完了，可以结账吗？

Wǒmen chī wán le, kěyǐ jiézhàng ma?

We're finished. Can we have the check?

服务员，可以结账吗？我想付钱。

Fúwùyuán, kěyǐ jiézhàng ma? Wǒ xiǎng fù qián.

Server, can I have the check? I'd like to pay.

打包，谢谢

dǎbāo, xièxie.

To go, please.

Meaning: To go, please.

When to use: Say this when you want the food to be packed to take away (takeout).

打包，谢谢，我带回家吃。

Dǎbāo, xièxie, wǒ dài huí jiā chī.

To go, thanks — I'll take it home.

这个吃不完，请帮我打包，谢谢。

Zhège chī bù wán, qǐng bāng wǒ dǎbāo, xièxie.

I can't finish this, please pack it to go, thanks.

我想点___

Wǒ xiǎng diǎn ___.

I'd like to order ___.

Meaning: I'd like to order ___.

When to use: A polite way to start an order when the server asks what you'd like.

我想点宫保鸡丁。

Wǒ xiǎng diǎn Gōngbǎo jīdīng.

I'd like to order Kung Pao chicken.

我想点一份素汤，谢谢。

Wǒ xiǎng diǎn yí fèn sù tāng, xièxie.

I'd like to order a portion of vegetable soup, thanks.

我想要___

wǒ xiǎng yào ___。

Can I get ___?

Meaning: Can I get ___?

When to use: A casual but polite way to request an item when ordering.

我想要一杯咖啡，可以吗？

Wǒ xiǎng yào yì bēi kāfēi, kěyǐ ma?

Can I get a cup of coffee?

我想要这个套餐，谢谢。

Wǒ xiǎng yào zhège tàocān, xièxie.

I'd like this set meal, thanks.

一份___，谢谢。

yí fèn ___, xièxie。

One ___, please.

Meaning: One ___, please.

When to use: Use to order by quantity: one portion, one cup, etc.

一份饺子，谢谢。

Yí fèn jiǎozi, xièxie.

One portion of dumplings, thanks.

一杯奶茶，请

Yì bēi nǎichá, qǐng.

One cup of milk tea, please.

在这儿吃，谢谢。

zài zhèr chī, xièxie。

For here, please.

Meaning: For here, please.

When to use: Use when telling the cashier or server you will eat at the restaurant (not takeout).

在这儿吃，谢谢，我们在店里坐。

Zài zhèr chī, xièxie, wǒmen zài diàn lǐ zuò.

For here, thanks — we'll sit in the shop.

我要在这儿吃，不打包，谢谢。

Wǒ yào zài zhèr chī, bù dǎbāo, xièxie.

I'll eat here, not to-go, thanks.

这个辣吗

zhège là ma?

Is it spicy?

Meaning: Is it spicy?

When to use: Ask this when you want to know if a dish contains chili or is generally spicy.

这个辣吗？我不太能吃辣。

Zhège là ma? Wǒ bù tài néng chī là.

Is this spicy? I can't eat much spice.

服务员，这个菜辣吗？

Fúwùyuán, zhège cài là ma?

Server, is this dish spicy?

里面有___吗？

lǐmiàn yǒu ___ ma?

Is there ___ in it?

Meaning: Is there ___ in it?

When to use: Use this to ask whether a dish contains a particular ingredient or allergen.

里面有花生吗？我对花生过敏。

Lǐmiàn yǒu huāshēng ma? Wǒ duì huāshēng guòmǐn.

Is there peanut in it? I'm allergic to peanuts.

请问，这里面有牛奶吗？

Qǐngwèn, zhè lǐmiàn yǒu niúnǎi ma?

Excuse me, does this contain milk?

Simplified Chinese - Ordering Food

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

How do you ask to see the menu?

Which phrase means 'No onions, please'?

How would you ask for a small portion of fried rice?

Which of these asks for the check?

In the restaurant, the customer says: 'Can I see the menu?' Server: OK, please wait, I'll get the menu.

The server asks: 'Large or small portion?' I answer: 'A small portion of fried rice, please.'

After ordering, the customer says: 'That's all, thanks.' Server: OK, I'll enter the order.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice