Traditional Chinese - Ordering Food

我想要___，謝謝。

Wǒ xiǎng yào ___, xièxie.

I'd like ___.

Meaning: 我想要___，謝謝。 (Wǒ xiǎng yào ___, xièxie.) means “I’d like ___, thanks.” It is polite and very natural when ordering.

When to use: Use it when you know the item you want and want to sound friendly.

可以看一下菜單嗎？

Kěyǐ kàn yíxià càidān ma?

Can I see the menu?

Meaning: 可以看一下菜單嗎？ (Kěyǐ kàn yíxià càidān ma?) means “Can I see the menu?”

When to use: Use it when you sit down or walk up to order and need the menu first.

這樣就好，謝謝。

Zhèyàng jiù hǎo, xièxie.

That's all, thanks.

Meaning: 這樣就好，謝謝。 (Zhèyàng jiù hǎo, xièxie.) means “That’s all, thanks.”

When to use: Use it at the end of your order to show you do not need anything else.

我要小的___，謝謝。

Wǒ yào xiǎo de ___, xièxie.

A small ___, please.

Meaning: 我要小的___，謝謝。 (Wǒ yào xiǎo de ___, xièxie.) means “A small ___, please.”

When to use: Use it when choosing a small size for food or a drink.

Tip: For drinks, you may also hear 小杯的___ (xiǎo bēi de ___). For food portions, 小份的___ (xiǎo fèn de ___) is also common.

不要加___，謝謝。

Bú yào jiā ___, xièxie.

No ___, please.

Meaning: 不要加___，謝謝。 (Bú yào jiā ___, xièxie.) means “No ___, please.”

When to use: Use it when you do not want an ingredient or topping added.

Tip: If the ingredient is already inside the dish, people may simply say 不要___ (bú yào ___), like 不要香菜 (bú yào xiāngcài).

可以結帳嗎

Kěyǐ jiézhàng ma?

Can I have the check, please?

Meaning: 可以結帳嗎？ (Kěyǐ jiézhàng ma?) means “Can I have the check, please?”

When to use: Use it when you are ready to pay at a restaurant.

外帶，謝謝

Wàidài, xièxie.

To go, please.

Meaning: 外帶，謝謝。 (Wàidài, xièxie.) means “To go, please.”

When to use: Use it when you want takeout instead of eating there.

我想點___

Wǒ xiǎng diǎn ___.

I'd like to order ___.

Meaning: 我想點___。 (Wǒ xiǎng diǎn ___.) means “I’d like to order ___.”

When to use: Use it in restaurants, cafés, and drink shops when placing an order.

可以給我___嗎？

Kěyǐ gěi wǒ ___ ma?

Can I get ___?

Meaning: 可以給我___嗎？ (Kěyǐ gěi wǒ ___ ma?) means “Can I get ___?”

When to use: Use it as a casual but polite way to ask for food, a drink, or a small item.

一份___，謝謝。

Yí fèn ___, xièxie.

One ___, please.

Meaning: 一份___，謝謝。 (Yí fèn ___, xièxie.) means “One ___, please.”

When to use: Use it to order one portion of a food item.

Tip: 份 (fèn) is useful for food portions. Drinks usually use 杯 (bēi), as in 一杯咖啡 (yì bēi kāfēi).

內用，謝謝

Nèi yòng, xièxie.

For here, please.

Meaning: 內用，謝謝。 (Nèi yòng, xièxie.) means “For here, please.”

When to use: Use it when you will eat at the restaurant.

會辣嗎

Huì là ma?

Is it spicy?

Meaning: 會辣嗎？ (Huì là ma?) means “Is it spicy?”

When to use: Use it before ordering if you want to know whether a dish tastes spicy.

裡面有___嗎？

Lǐmiàn yǒu ___ ma?

Is there ___ in it?

Meaning: 裡面有___嗎？ (Lǐmiàn yǒu ___ ma?) means “Is there ___ in it?”

When to use: Use it to ask about ingredients, especially for allergies or preferences.