我要一杯啤酒。
Wǒ yào yì bēi píjiǔ.
I'd like a glass of beer.
Use 一杯 for a glass or cup.
Cafes, bars, restaurants
Food & Drink
Practical phrases for ordering beer, coffee, tea, food, and asking for the bill.
请给我菜单。
Qǐng gěi wǒ càidān.
Please give me the menu.
这个好吃吗？
Zhège hǎochī ma?
Is this tasty?
我要一杯咖啡。
Wǒ yào yì bēi kāfēi.
I'd like a cup of coffee.
可以少放糖吗？
Kěyǐ shǎo fàng táng ma?
Can you put less sugar in it?
买单，谢谢。
Mǎidān, xièxie.
The bill, please.
Common in restaurants.
有冰的吗？
Yǒu bīng de ma?
Do you have it cold?
Useful for drinks.
不要辣。
Bú yào là.
Not spicy, please.
这个可以外带吗？
Zhège kěyǐ wàidài ma?
Can I get this to go?
我对花生过敏。
Wǒ duì huāshēng guòmǐn.
I'm allergic to peanuts.
Replace 花生 with another allergen if needed.
Mini-dialogues
Use the phrases together
Ordering a beer
Guest
你好，我要一杯啤酒。
Nǐ hǎo, wǒ yào yì bēi píjiǔ.
Hello, I'd like a glass of beer.
Staff
好的，还要别的吗？
Hǎo de, hái yào bié de ma?
Sure. Anything else?
Guest
不用了，谢谢。
Bú yòng le, xièxie.
No, thank you.
At a cafe
Customer
你好，我要一杯咖啡。
Nǐ hǎo, wǒ yào yì bēi kāfēi.
Hello, I'd like a cup of coffee.
Staff
要热的还是冰的？
Yào rè de háishi bīng de?
Hot or iced?
Customer
冰的，少放糖。
Bīng de, shǎo fàng táng.
Iced, with less sugar.
Paying after dinner
Guest
买单，谢谢。
Mǎidān, xièxie.
The bill, please.
Staff
好的，可以刷卡。
Hǎo de, kěyǐ shuākǎ.
Sure, you can pay by card.
Guest
谢谢，很好吃。
Xièxie, hěn hǎochī.
Thanks, it was delicious.
Useful answers
What learners ask
How do you order food in Chinese?
A simple way to order food in Chinese is 我要这个, pronounced Wǒ yào zhège, meaning I'd like this.
How do you order beer in Chinese?
Say 我要一杯啤酒, pronounced Wǒ yào yì bēi píjiǔ, meaning I'd like a glass of beer.
How do you ask for the bill in Chinese?
Say 买单，谢谢, pronounced Mǎidān, xièxie, meaning The bill, please.