给您加水吗？
gěi nín jiā shuǐ ma?
Shall i refill your water · trad. 給您加水嗎？
给您加水吗？ (Gěi nín jiā shuǐ ma) is a polite question used by service staff, typically in restaurants, to ask a customer if they would like a water refill. The character 加 (jiā) means 'add,' indicating the act of refilling.
What does 给您加水吗？ (gěi nín jiā shuǐ ma?) mean?
给您加水吗？ (gěi nín jiā shuǐ ma?) means “shall I refill your water” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “for you add water question particle.”
When to use it
Polite and formal, due to the use of 您 (nín). It's appropriate for customer service. A common reply from the customer would be “好的，谢谢。” (Hǎo de, xièxie, “Okay, thank you.”) or “不用了，谢谢。” (Bù yòng le, xièxie, “No need, thank you.”).
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “GAY neen JYA SHWAY mah.” The tones are 3rd, 2nd, 1st, 3rd, and neutral, so practice the rising tone on “nín” and the light “ma.”
Other ways to say it
- 需要加水吗？xūyào jiā shuǐ ma?Want a water refill? (less polite)
- 给您添水吗？gěi nín tiān shuǐ ma?Shall I add/replenish water for you?
Examples
先生，给您加水吗？
xiānsheng, gěi nín jiā shuǐ ma?
Sir, shall I refill your water?
您的水杯空了，给您加水吗？
nín de shuǐbēi kōng le, gěi nín jiā shuǐ ma?
Your glass is empty, shall I refill your water?
请问，给您加水吗？
qǐngwèn, gěi nín jiā shuǐ ma?
Excuse me, shall I refill your water?
Pro tip: The use of 您 (nín) makes this question very polite and respectful, suitable for attentive customer service. The character 加 (jiā) directly means 'add,' but in this context, it clearly implies 'refill' for drinks.
Related phrases
请慢用 · Enjoy your meal还需要别的吗？ · Anything else这个卖完了 · That one is sold out
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