您要点什么？
nín yào diǎn shénme?
What would you like to order · trad. 您要點什麼？
您要点什么？ (Nín yào diǎn shénme) is a polite way to ask a customer or guest what they would like to order, typically in a restaurant setting. The character 点 specifically refers to ordering dishes or items from a menu.
What does 您要点什么？ (nín yào diǎn shénme?) mean?
您要点什么？ (nín yào diǎn shénme?) means “what would you like to order” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “You would like to order what?”
When to use it
Polite and formal due to 您 (nín). It's commonly used by service staff addressing customers. For a more casual setting or when addressing friends, you would use 你要点什么？ (nǐ yào diǎn shénme).
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “NEEN yaow DYEN shuhn-muh?” The tones are rising, falling, third, and neutral. The third tone on 点 is often said as a half-third tone before a neutral tone.
Other ways to say it
- 你要点什么？nǐ yào diǎn shénme?What would you like to order? (casual)
- 您想吃什么？nín xiǎng chī shénme?What would you like to eat?
- 您想喝什么？nín xiǎng hē shénme?What would you like to drink?
Examples
您好，请问您要点什么？
nínhǎo, qǐngwèn nín yào diǎn shénme?
Hello, may I ask what you would like to order?
先生，您要点什么菜？
xiānshēng, nín yào diǎn shénme cài?
Sir, what dishes would you like to order?
我还没想好，您要点什么？
wǒ hái méi xiǎnghǎo, nín yào diǎn shénme?
I haven't decided yet, what would you like to order?
Pro tip: The verb 点 (diǎn) here specifically means “to order (food/drinks from a menu),” making it the standard phrase for service staff in restaurants.
Related phrases
这是菜单 · Here is the menu现在可以点餐吗？ · Are you ready to order喝点什么？ · Anything to drink
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