Being able to recognize a few basic terms and phrases in Mandarin will help you out tremendously when you move to China. Ordering and knowing what food you will be served is very important, so we’ve listed a few of the common phrases that you’ll need to say in restaurants, as well as some popular foods.
Helpful phrases for eating out or ordering food
1. I don’t want spicy food
Wǒ bùyào là (woh boo-yao la)
我不要辣
2. I want this one
Wǒ yào zhège (woh yao jeguh)
我要这个
3. I want to order one noodle soup
Wǒ yàodiǎn yī fèn tāngmiàn (wo yao-dien yee fen tahng-mien)
我要点一份汤面
4. When you can’t eat any more
Chī bùxià (chuh boo-shee-yuh)
吃不下
5. When you’re full
Wǒ bǎole (woh bao-luh)
我饱了
6. What’s good to eat?
Yǒu shénme hào chī de (you shen-muh hao she duh)
有什么好吃的
7. How much (does it cost)?
Duōshǎo qián (doo-shao gee-en)
多少钱
8. What is this?
Zhè shì shénme (juh she shen-muh)
这是什么
Recognizing different foods
For the carnivore:
- Ròu (row): Meat
- Jī ròu (jee-row): Chicken
- Niúròu (neuw-row): Beef
- Zhū ròu (joo-row): Pork
- Yáng ròu (yong-row): Mutton
From the sea:
- Hǎixiān (hi-shien): Seafood
- Yú (you): Fish
- Xiā (she-yah): Shrimp
- Xiè (she-yeh): Crab
- Lóngxiā (long-she-yah): Lobster
Veggies:
- Dòufu (doh-fu): Tofu
- Bōcài (baw-tsye): Spinach
- Báicà (bye-tsye)i: Cabbage
- Mógu (maw-goo): Mushroom
- Xīhóngshì/ Fān qié (see-hong-she/fahn-chyeh): Tomato
- Yùmǐ (yew-me): Corn
- Tǔdòu (too-doe): Potato
- Qiézi (chyeh-dzuh): Eggplant
Menu mainstays:
- Mǐfàn (mee-fahn): White rice
- Chǎo fàn (chaow-fahn): Fried rice
- Jiǎozi (jee-ow-zge): Dumplings
- Húntún (hwun-dwun): Wonton
- Tāng (tahng): Soup
- Bāozi (bao-zuh): Stuffed steamed bun
- Mántou (man-tow): Plain steamed bun
- Chǎomiàn (chow-mien): Fried noodles
- Tāngmiàn (tahng-mien): Noodle soup
- Jīdàn (gee-dahn): Egg
Interested in teaching in China? View our available jobs!
Check out our Mandarin basic phrase guide to learn more terms:
