NetChai Chinese

Hospitality Chinese Phrases 99

接待会话

For staff welcoming Chinese-speaking guests — restaurants, shops, hotels and tours — organized by scene. Each phrase comes with pinyin, a usage note and native teacher audio.

Welcoming Guests 10

First impressions in the guest's own language. 欢迎光临 at the door and 请稍等 while they wait — these few phrases instantly change how Chinese-speaking customers feel about your shop.

1 欢迎光临 Huānyíng guānglín Welcome (to our store/restaurant)
The universal shop greeting — call it out as guests walk in.
2 请稍等 Qǐng shāo děng One moment, please
The service phrase you'll say most — polite pause before any action.
3 让您久等了 Ràng nín jiǔděng le Sorry to keep you waiting
Say it when returning after ANY wait — hospitality gold.
4 请这边走 Qǐng zhè biān zǒu This way, please
Lead with an open palm — never a pointing finger.
5 几位? Jǐ wèi How many people?
位 is the polite counter for people — answer comes as 两位, 三位…
6 请坐这边 Qǐng zuò zhè biān Please sit over here
Directing guests to their table or seat.
7 您预约了吗? nín yùyuē le ma Do you have a reservation?
预约 = reservation — the door question at busy places.
8 现在客满了 xiànzài kè mǎn le We're full right now
客满 = guests full — soften with 不好意思 before it.
9 可以拼桌吗? kěyǐ pīn zhuō ma Would you mind sharing a table?
拼桌 = combine tables — common and accepted in casual spots.
10 有什么可以帮您? yǒu shénme kěyǐ bāng nín How can I help you?
The service counter opener — 您 keeps it respectful.

Restaurant Service 14

Taking orders, serving and checking in on the table. Chinese diners will happily ask for recommendations — 这是本店的招牌菜 (our signature dish) is your best sales line.

1 这是菜单 Zhè shì càidān Here is the menu
Hand it over with both hands for extra polish.
2 您要点什么? Nín yào diǎn shénme What would you like to order?
点 = order dishes — the table-side standard.
3 现在可以点餐吗? Xiànzài kěyǐ diǎncān ma Are you ready to order?
点餐 = place the order — checking readiness politely.
4 喝点什么? Hē diǎn shénme Anything to drink?
点 here means "a little" — casual and friendly.
5 马上就来 Mǎshàng jiù lái Coming right up
马上 = immediately — reassures the hungry.
6 请慢用 Qǐng màn yòng Enjoy your meal
Literally "please eat slowly" — said when serving dishes.
7 还需要别的吗? Hái xūyào bié de ma Anything else?
The upsell-slash-courtesy check after taking orders.
8 给您加水吗? Gěi nín jiā shuǐ ma Shall I refill your water?
加 = add — attentive table service in one syllable.
9 这个卖完了 Zhège màiwán le That one is sold out
卖完 = sold out — offer an alternative right after.
10 这是本店的招牌菜 Zhè shì běndiàn de zhāopái cài This is our signature dish
招牌 = shop sign → signature — your strongest recommendation line.
11 有点辣,可以吗? Yǒu diǎn là kěyǐ ma It's a bit spicy — is that okay?
Checking spice tolerance up front prevents returned dishes.
12 小心烫 Xiǎoxīn tàng Careful, it's hot
烫 = scalding hot — say it with every sizzling plate.
13 我帮您收一下盘子 Wǒ bāng nín shōu yíxià pánzi Let me clear your plates
收 = collect — announcing before reaching is good manners.
14 最后点单时间到了 zuìhòu diǎn dān shíjiān dào le It's last call
点单 = ordering — the gentle closing-time warning.

At the Register 12

Totals, change, receipts and payment — the countdown of every purchase. Saying the numbers clearly in Chinese prevents the most common service misunderstandings.

1 现在结账吗? xiànzài jiézhàng ma Would you like the bill now?
结账 = settle the bill — table-side or at the counter.
2 一共是三千日元 yígòng shì sānqiān Rìyuán That's 3,000 yen in total
一共是 + amount — say totals slowly and clearly.
3 收您五千 shōu nín wǔqiān Out of 5,000
收 = receive — confirming the bill handed to you.
4 找您两千 zhǎo nín liǎngqiān Here's 2,000 in change
找 = give change — count it back visibly.
5 请到这边付款 qǐng dào zhèbiān fùkuǎn Please pay over here
付款 = make payment — directing to the register.
6 可以用现金或刷卡 kěyǐ yòng xiànjīn huò shuākǎ You can pay by cash or card
或 = or — listing the payment options.
7 我们不收小费 wǒmen bú shōu xiǎofèi We don't accept tips
小费 = tip — worth saying in no-tipping countries like Japan.
8 请输入密码 qǐng shūrù mìmǎ Please enter your PIN
密码 = PIN/password — for card terminals.
9 请在这里签名 qǐng zài zhèlǐ qiānmíng Please sign here
签名 = signature — point to the line as you say it.
10 这是您的收据 zhè shì nín de shōujù Here is your receipt
收据 = receipt — hand over with both hands.
11 需要袋子吗? xūyào dàizi ma Would you like a bag?
袋子 = bag — the checkout classic.
12 袋子要收费 dàizi yào shōufèi Bags cost extra
收费 = charge a fee — clearer said upfront.

Shop Floor Service 12

Helping customers find, try and choose. 请随便看 (browse freely) sets a relaxed tone — Chinese shoppers often prefer to look first and ask later.

1 您在找什么吗? nín zài zhǎo shénme ma Are you looking for something?
The approach line for browsing customers — gentle, not pushy.
2 请随便看 qǐng suíbiàn kàn Please feel free to browse
随便 = as you like — gives customers welcome breathing room.
3 这个很受欢迎 zhège hěn shòu huānyíng This one is very popular
受欢迎 = well received — social proof, the strongest sales line.
4 要试一下吗? yào shì yíxià ma Would you like to try it?
试一下 = give it a try — works for products, samples and testers.
5 试衣间在那边 shìyījiān zài nàbiān The fitting room is over there
试衣间 = try-clothes-room — gesture along with it.
6 您穿多大号? nín chuān duō dà hào What size do you wear?
号 = size — expect Chinese sizes (S/M/L or numbers).
7 我帮您找一下 wǒ bāng nín zhǎo yíxià Let me find it for you
The service promise — say it and go check the stockroom.
8 现在缺货 xiànzài quēhuò It's out of stock right now
缺货 = lacking stock — offer to check other stores.
9 只剩这一个了 zhǐ shèng zhè yí ge le This is the last one
剩 = remain — both apology and gentle urgency.
10 帮您包装吗? bāng nín bāozhuāng ma Shall I gift-wrap it?
包装 = wrap — gifts are a huge part of Chinese shopping.
11 是送人的吗? shì sòng rén de ma Is it a gift?
送人 = give to someone — decides wrapping and receipt handling.
12 这是易碎品,请小心 zhè shì yìsuìpǐn qǐng xiǎoxīn It's fragile — please handle with care
易碎品 = easily broken item — for ceramics and glass.

Tax-Free, Deals & Counter Questions 10

The tax-free ritual and the promotions Chinese tourists actively hunt for. 可以免税 and 打八折 are possibly the two most profitable phrases in this whole list.

1 现在有活动 xiànzài yǒu huódòng We have a promotion right now
活动 = event/promotion — Chinese shoppers actively ask about these.
2 打八折 dǎ bāzhé 20% off
Chinese discounts state what you PAY: 八折 = pay 80%. 五折 = half price.
3 买一送一 mǎi yí sòng yī Buy one get one free
Literally "buy one, gift one" — the beloved BOGO.
4 第二件半价 dì'èr jiàn bànjià Second item half price
件 counts items of clothing and goods.
5 可以免税 kěyǐ miǎnshuì Tax-free is available
免税 = exempt tax — the magic words for tourist shoppers.
6 请出示护照 qǐng chūshì hùzhào Your passport, please
出示 = show — required for the tax-free paperwork.
7 保质期到这里 bǎozhìqī dào zhèlǐ The expiry date is here
保质期 = quality-guarantee period — point at the printed date.
8 常温保存就可以 chángwēn bǎocún jiù kěyǐ You can store it at room temperature
常温 = normal temperature — the souvenir-food question.
9 需要加热吗? xūyào jiārè ma Shall I heat it up?
加热 = heat up — the convenience-store bento question.
10 需要筷子吗? xūyào kuàizi ma Would you like chopsticks?
筷子 = chopsticks — counter courtesy with any food purchase.

Waits, Hours & House Rules 10

Queues, waiting times, opening hours and the house rules that need gentle enforcement. A soft 请 in front keeps every rule friendly.

1 请排队 qǐng páiduì Please line up
排队 = form a line — polite crowd control.
2 排队的人很多 páiduì de rén hěn duō There's a long line
Setting expectations before they join the queue.
3 大概等三十分钟 dàgài děng sānshí fēnzhōng The wait is about 30 minutes
大概 = roughly — honest estimates keep guests patient.
4 叫到号请过来 jiàodào hào qǐng guòlái Please come when your number is called
号 = number — for ticket-based queuing systems.
5 营业时间是十点到八点 yíngyè shíjiān shì shí diǎn dào bā diǎn We're open from 10 to 8
营业时间 = business hours — 从…到… = from…to…
6 今天休息 jīntiān xiūxi We're closed today
休息 = rest — the sign on every shuttered door.
7 快打烊了 kuài dǎyàng le We're closing soon
打烊 = close up shop — the gentle last-orders warning.
8 请不要在这里吸烟 qǐng búyào zài zhèlǐ xīyān Please don't smoke here
请不要… = "please don't ___" — firm but face-saving.
9 这里禁止拍照 zhèlǐ jìnzhǐ pāi zhào No photos here, please
禁止 = prohibited — for galleries and sensitive areas.
10 请脱鞋进入 qǐng tuō xié jìnrù Please take off your shoes
脱鞋 = remove shoes — essential for tatami and fitting rooms.

Hotel Front Desk 13

Check-in to check-out in the guest's language. Numbers matter here — floors, room numbers and breakfast times are where miscommunication hurts most.

1 欢迎入住 huānyíng rùzhù Welcome to our hotel
入住 = check in/stay — the front-desk welcome.
2 请出示预订确认单 qǐng chūshì yùdìng quèrèndān Your booking confirmation, please
确认单 = confirmation slip — phone screenshots count.
3 帮您办理入住 bāng nín bànlǐ rùzhù Let me check you in
办理 = process — the reassuring "I've got you" line.
4 这是您的房卡 zhè shì nín de fángkǎ Here is your room key
房卡 = room card — hand over with the room number written down.
5 房间在五楼 fángjiān zài wǔ lóu Your room is on the 5th floor
楼 = floor — note Chinese floors count like American ones.
6 电梯在那边 diàntī zài nàbiān The elevator is over there
电梯 = electric ladder — gesture as you say it.
7 早餐在一楼 zǎocān zài yī lóu Breakfast is on the 1st floor
早餐 = breakfast — the most-asked hotel question.
8 早餐时间是七点到十点 zǎocān shíjiān shì qī diǎn dào shí diǎn Breakfast is from 7 to 10
Numbers + 点 = o'clock — say them slowly.
9 退房时间是十一点 tuìfáng shíjiān shì shíyī diǎn Check-out is at 11
退房 = return the room — prevents awkward noon calls.
10 行李我们帮您拿 xíngli wǒmen bāng nín ná We'll take your luggage
行李 = luggage — full-service hospitality.
11 可以寄存行李 kěyǐ jìcún xíngli We can store your luggage
寄存 = deposit for safekeeping — before check-in or after check-out.
12 需要叫车吗? xūyào jiào chē ma Shall I call you a taxi?
叫车 = call a car — the departing guest's favorite offer.
13 免费WiFi可以用 miǎnfèi kěyǐ yòng Free WiFi is available
免费 = free — answer it before they ask.

Guiding, Trouble & Goodbye 18

Escorting, explaining, apologizing and seeing guests off. 我带您过去 (I'll take you there) beats any pointed finger — and a warm send-off brings people back.

1 我马上处理 wǒ mǎshàng chǔlǐ I'll take care of it right away
处理 = handle — the complaint-defusing promise.
2 给您带来不便,非常抱歉 gěi nín dàilái búbiàn fēicháng bàoqiàn We're very sorry for the inconvenience
The full formal apology — for real service failures.
3 我叫会说中文的同事来 wǒ jiào huì shuō Zhōngwén de tóngshì lái I'll get a Chinese-speaking colleague
The honest escalation — better than struggling on.
4 请再说一次好吗? qǐng zài shuō yícì hǎo ma Could you say that once more?
The staff-side "pardon?" — polite and unhurried.
5 您可以用手机给我看吗? nín kěyǐ yòng shǒujī gěi wǒ kàn ma Could you show me on your phone?
Translation apps + this phrase solve almost anything.
6 这边有中文说明 zhèbiān yǒu Zhōngwén shuōmíng There's a Chinese explanation here
说明 = explanation — point guests to translated materials.
7 请扫这个二维码 qǐng sǎo zhège èrwéimǎ Please scan this QR code
二维码 = QR code — menus, payments and guides all live behind them.
8 洗手间在里面 xǐshǒujiān zài lǐmiàn The restroom is inside
里面 = inside — the single most-asked question in any shop.
9 地面很滑,请小心 dìmiàn hěn huá qǐng xiǎoxīn The floor is slippery — please be careful
滑 = slippery — safety warnings show care.
10 出口在那边 chūkǒu zài nàbiān The exit is over there
出口 = exit, 入口 = entrance — signage vocabulary.
11 失物招领在服务台 shīwùzhāolǐng zài fúwùtái Lost and found is at the service desk
失物招领 = lost-item claims — 服务台 = service counter.
12 我带您过去 wǒ dài nín guòqù I'll take you there
带 = lead/bring — walking guests over beats pointing, every time.
13 照片拍好了 zhàopiàn pāi hǎo le Your photo is taken (here you go)
After taking a guest's photo — hand the phone back with a smile.
14 祝您玩得愉快 zhù nín wán de yúkuài Have a wonderful time
祝您… = "wishing you ___" — the guide's send-off.
15 祝您旅途愉快 zhù nín lǚtú yúkuài Have a pleasant trip
旅途 = journey — for guests moving on to the next city.
16 期待您再次光临 qīdài nín zàicì guānglín We look forward to seeing you again
再次光临 = grace us again — the formal repeat-business wish.
17 谢谢惠顾 xièxie huìgù Thank you for your patronage
惠顾 = honor us with custom — printed on receipts everywhere.
18 慢走,欢迎再来 mànzǒu huānyíng zàilái Take care — please come again
慢走 (walk slowly) is the warm send-off — the service goodbye.
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