Get a table
Tell staff how many people are in your group. You may receive a queue number at a busy restaurant. Before sitting down, ask whether you order at the table, at a counter, or by scanning a code.
SCENE 04 AT A RESTAURANT
Eating out
Get a table, order what you want, and handle spice or allergies.
REAL-LIFE FOCUSPoint, ask, and keep it short
Start ↓●●●〰
茶
BEFORE YOU START · EATING OUT
How ordering and payment usually work
Many restaurants serve shared dishes and use a QR code at the table. You can still point, ask for a paper menu, and show a full-screen dietary message when the digital menu is difficult.
Open the menu
A table QR code may open WeChat, Alipay, or a mini-program. Check that the table number is correct. If it does not work, ask for a paper menu and point to photos.
Order and confirm restrictions
Order dishes, rice, drinks, and water separately. State spice preferences and allergies before the order is sent. For a serious allergy, ask staff to confirm ingredients and cross-contact with the kitchen.
Check the bill and pay
Some restaurants expect payment inside the mini-program; others bring a bill or send you to the cashier. Review quantities and extra charges, then pay by Alipay, WeChat Pay, card where accepted, or cash.
!
COMMON PROBLEMS
What catches visitors out
Water is not automatic
Hot or room-temperature water is common. Ask clearly for hot water, cold water, or ice. Bottled water may be charged.
A translated dish name is not an ingredient list
Vegetarian, halal, or nut-free requirements need a direct question. Sauces, stock, and cooking oil may contain hidden ingredients.
Small automatic charges
Tea, packaged tableware, tissues, or a private room may have a fee. Ask before using them if the price matters.
NEXTLearn only the Chinese you may need to say.
Start the lesson ↓YOUR ROUTE
From table to bill
STEP 01 · GET A TABLE
“How many people?”
STEP 02 · ORDER
Four ways to make ordering easier
Do you have an English menu?
What is this?
I’d like this one.
Is this spicy?
STEP 03 · PREFERENCES
Spice, diet, and allergies
SEVERE PEANUT ALLERGY我对花生严重过敏，这道菜里不能有花生。Wǒ duì huāshēng yánzhòng guòmǐn, zhè dào cài lǐ bù néng yǒu huāshēng.
I have a severe peanut allergy. This dish must not contain peanuts.
REAL SCENE · LISTEN & SPEAK
A complete order
A real restaurant interaction in China: the guest stays seated while the waiter stands beside the table to take the order.
Set up speaking practice
Allow microphone access once. Your voice is used by the browser to recognize the sentence.
1·2·3
Listen → Practice → Check: hear the model, speak the sentence, then use the recognized words and match score to improve.
Waiter几位？Jǐ wèi?
How many people?
You · Guest两位。Liǎng wèi.
Two people.
Waiter请扫码点餐。Qǐng sǎomǎ diǎncān.
Please scan the code to order.
You · Guest这个辣吗？Zhège là ma?
Is this spicy?
Waiter有一点辣。Yǒu yìdiǎn là.
It’s a little spicy.
You · Guest不要辣。我要这个。Bú yào là. Wǒ yào zhège.
No spice, please. I’d like this one.
AT THE TABLE
Water and other useful requests
CHOPSTICKS请给我一双筷子。Qǐng gěi wǒ yì shuāng kuàizi.
Please give me a pair of chopsticks.
NO ICE请不要加冰。Qǐng bú yào jiā bīng.
No ice, please.
MISSING DISH这个菜还没上。Zhège cài hái méi shàng.
This dish hasn’t arrived yet.
THE BILL买单。Mǎidān.
The bill, please.
TAKE AWAY请打包。Qǐng dǎbāo.
Please pack this to take away.
RESTROOM洗手间在哪里？Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the restroom?
ENJOY
吃饭
吃饭
SCENE COMPLETE