Taking Orders in Chinese: A Practical Guide

Taking orders accurately is one of the most important parts of restaurant service. When guests speak Chinese, even a few well-chosen phrases can make ordering smoother, reduce mistakes, and create a more comfortable dining experience.

The good news? You don’t need advanced Chinese to take orders professionally. By learning clear question patterns and polite responses, restaurant staff can handle most ordering situations with confidence.

This guide covers the most common steps in taking orders, in practical, easy-to-use Chinese.

1. Starting the Order Politely

Once guests are seated and ready, begin with a friendly and professional tone.

Useful phrases:

• 請問要點什麼？
  (Qǐngwèn yào diǎn shénme?)
  What would you like to order?
  
• 準備好了嗎？
  (Zhǔnbèi hǎo le ma?)
  Are you ready to order?
  
• 需要我介紹嗎？
  (Xūyào wǒ jièshào ma?)
  Would you like me to introduce the dishes?

These phrases invite guests to order without pressure.

2. Confirming Dishes Clearly

Repeating or confirming orders helps avoid mistakes, especially during busy service hours.

Confirmation phrases:

• 您點的是…對嗎？
  (Nín diǎn de shì… duì ma?)
  You ordered …, correct?
  
• 一份牛肉麵，一份炒飯。
  (Yí fèn niúròu miàn, yí fèn chǎofàn.)
  One beef noodle and one fried rice.
  
• 好的，幫您確認一下。
  (Hǎo de, bāng nín quèrèn yíxià.)
  Okay, let me confirm that for you.

3. Asking About Preferences (Spicy, Sweet, Less Salt)

Chinese-speaking guests often customize their orders.

Common preference phrases:

• 要辣嗎？
  (Yào là ma?)
  Do you want it spicy?
  
• 少辣 / 不辣
  (Shǎo là / Bú là)
  Less spicy / No spicy
  
• 要甜一點嗎？
  (Yào tián yìdiǎn ma?)
  Would you like it sweeter?
  
• 少鹽可以嗎？
  (Shǎo yán kěyǐ ma?)
  Is less salt okay?

4. Handling Allergies & Special Requests

Always clarify special dietary needs.

Helpful phrases:

• 有沒有過敏？
  (Yǒu méiyǒu guòmǐn?)
  Do you have any allergies?
  
• 這道菜有花生 / 海鮮。
  (Zhè dào cài yǒu huāshēng / hǎixiān.)
  This dish contains peanuts / seafood.
  
• 我幫您確認一下。
  (Wǒ bāng nín quèrèn yíxià.)
  Let me check for you.

5. When You Don’t Understand the Order

It’s okay to ask politely; clarity is better than guessing.

Polite clarification phrases:

• 不好意思，可以再說一次嗎？
  (Bù hǎo yìsi, kěyǐ zài shuō yí cì ma?)
  Sorry, could you say that again?
  
• 我確認一下，您是要…？
  (Wǒ quèrèn yíxià, nín shì yào…?)
  Let me confirm—do you want…?

Guests usually appreciate careful confirmation.

6. Ending the Order Smoothly

Once the order is complete, reassure the guest.

Closing phrases:

• 好的，餐點稍後送上。
  (Hǎo de, cāndiǎn shāohòu sòng shàng.)
  Okay, your food will be served shortly.
  
• 請稍等一下。
  (Qǐng shāoděng yíxià.)
  Please wait a moment.

Why Clear Ordering Chinese Matters

Using polite, practical Chinese when taking orders helps:

• Reduce ordering errors
  
• Improve guest satisfaction
  
• Speed up service
  
• Build trust with Chinese-speaking guests
  
• Make staff feel more confident on shift

Even basic phrases can significantly improve service quality.

Practice Ordering Scenarios with Confidence

Memorizing phrases is a great start, but role-play practice builds real confidence.

With TutorABC Chinese, restaurant professionals can:

• Practice real ordering conversations
  
• Learn polite service expressions
  
• Improve listening accuracy
  
• Study flexibly around shift schedules

Build confidence in taking orders in Chinese. Book a free level placement session with TutorABC Chinese today.

FAQ: Taking Orders in Chinese

1. Do restaurant staff need to speak fluent Chinese to take orders?

No. Restaurant staff don’t need full fluency. Using clear question patterns, confirmation phrases, and polite responses is usually enough to take orders accurately and provide good service to Chinese-speaking guests.

2. What should I do if I don’t understand a guest’s order in Chinese?

It’s best to ask politely for clarification rather than guess. Phrases like 「不好意思，可以再說一次嗎？」 (Sorry, could you say that again?) or 「我幫您確認一下」 (Let me confirm) help avoid mistakes and show professionalism.

3. Should restaurant staff learn reading and writing Chinese for taking orders?

Not necessarily. Speaking and listening are the most important skills for taking orders. Many staff focus on spoken Mandarin first and add reading or writing later if needed for menus or order systems.