Chinese for English speakers Cafe · Lesson 7

Can we have the check?

Ask for the bill in Chinese — 服务员, 我们买单! (Waiter, the bill!) — using 买单.

Conversation

  1. Yennifer Yennifer

    服务员，我们买单！

    fú wù yuán, wǒ men mǎi dān!

    Waiter, the bill please!

    Tip: 买单 <mǎidān> = set the bill, pay for the bill

  2. Kyle Kyle

    好的，好吃吗？

    hǎo de, hǎo chī ma?

    Very well, did you enjoy?

    Tip: 好吃 <hǎochī> = tasty, delicious (literally good to eat)

  3. Yennifer Yennifer

    都很好吃。谢谢！

    dōu hě hǎo chī. xiè xie!

    Yes, everything was delicious, thanks!

  4. Bob Bob

    豆腐可以打包吗？

    dòu fu kě yǐ dǎ bāo ma?

    Can we wrap up tofu?

    Tip: 打包 <dǎbāo> = to wrap up, to take away

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

What does 买单 mean?

'Pay the bill' — literally 'buy the receipt'. 我买单 = 'I'll pay (the bill)'. 结账 also means to pay/settle.

Chinese for 'enjoyed?'

好吃吗? = 'was it tasty?'. Or 吃得好吗? = 'did you eat well?'.

Polite paying phrases?

请结账 (please give us the bill), 一共多少钱? (how much in total?), 可以刷卡吗? (can I use a card?).

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Chinese lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.