需要筷子吗？
xūyào kuàizi ma?
Would you like chopsticks · trad. 需要筷子嗎？
需要筷子吗？ (xūyào kuàizi ma) means "Would you like chopsticks?" It is a common and polite question asked by staff at restaurants or food stalls when you purchase food, especially takeout, as a counter courtesy.
What does 需要筷子吗？ (xūyào kuàizi ma?) mean?
需要筷子吗？ (xūyào kuàizi ma?) means “would you like chopsticks” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “need chopsticks question particle.”
When to use it
Neutral and polite. This is a standard question in service settings. If you need them, you can reply 需要 (xūyào); if not, say 不需要 (bù xūyào).
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “shoo-YOW kwai-dzuh mah.” The tones are rising, falling-rising, neutral, neutral.
Other ways to say it
- 要筷子吗？yào kuàizi ma?Want chopsticks? (slightly more casual)
- 需要餐具吗？xūyào cānjù ma?Would you like cutlery? (broader, includes forks/spoons)
- 要餐具吗？yào cānjù ma?Want cutlery? (more casual)
Examples
您好，需要筷子吗？
nínhǎo, xūyào kuàizi ma?
Hello, would you like chopsticks?
我不需要筷子，谢谢。
wǒ bù xūyào kuàizi, xièxie.
I don't need chopsticks, thank you.
请问，需要筷子吗？
qǐngwèn, xūyào kuàizi ma?
Excuse me, would you like chopsticks?
Pro tip: This question is a standard courtesy in Chinese eateries, even if you're eating something that might not obviously require chopsticks.
Related phrases
保质期在这里 · The expiry date is here常温保存就可以 · You can store it at room temperature需要加热吗？ · Shall i heat it up
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