Learn Mandarin Food and Drinks Vocabulary
Whether you're dining at a Chinese restaurant or shopping for groceries in China, knowing how to talk about food and drinks in Mandarin is essential. In this section, we'll cover some of the most common food and drink terms, along with useful phrases to help you order and enjoy your meals in Mandarin.
1. Common Food Vocabulary
Here are some essential words for talking about common foods in Mandarin. Whether you’re craving noodles, rice, or a snack, these terms will help you order your favorite dishes with ease.
米饭 (Mǐfàn) - Rice
"米饭" (Mǐfàn) refers to cooked rice, which is a staple in Chinese cuisine. It’s often served alongside main dishes.
面条 (Miàntiáo) - Noodles
"面条" (Miàntiáo) is the word for noodles. Noodles are a key part of many Chinese dishes, served in soups or stir-fries.
饺子 (Jiǎozi) - Dumplings
"饺子" (Jiǎozi) refers to dumplings, which are often filled with meat, vegetables, or seafood. A beloved food for festivals like the Chinese New Year.
蔬菜 (Shūcài) - Vegetables
"蔬菜" (Shūcài) is a general term for vegetables. Common Chinese vegetables include cabbage ("白菜", Báicài) and spinach ("菠菜", Bōcài).
鸡肉 (Jīròu) - Chicken
"鸡肉" (Jīròu) means chicken, a popular ingredient in many Chinese dishes. You might also encounter "鸭肉" (Yāròu) for duck and "牛肉" (Niúròu) for beef.
2. Drinks and Beverages
Whether you're looking for a hot beverage or a refreshing drink, here are some common terms to help you order your favorite drinks in Mandarin.
水 (Shuǐ) - Water
"水" (Shuǐ) means water. In restaurants, you can ask for "白开水" (Bái kāishuǐ), which refers to plain boiled water.
茶 (Chá) - Tea
"茶" (Chá) is the word for tea, which is deeply rooted in Chinese culture. You can ask for "绿茶" (Lǜchá) for green tea or "红茶" (Hóngchá) for black tea.
咖啡 (Kāfēi) - Coffee
"咖啡" (Kāfēi) is the Mandarin word for coffee. It’s becoming increasingly popular in China, with many cafés serving both Western and local variations of coffee drinks.
果汁 (Guǒzhī) - Juice
"果汁" (Guǒzhī) refers to juice. You can specify the type of fruit juice, such as "橙汁" (Chéngzhī) for orange juice or "苹果汁" (Píngguǒ zhī) for apple juice.
啤酒 (Píjiǔ) - Beer
"啤酒" (Píjiǔ) is beer. Beer is widely available in China, and it’s often enjoyed with meals, especially with dishes like roasted duck or spicy hotpot.
3. Dining and Ordering Expressions
In addition to food and drink vocabulary, knowing how to order and ask for what you want is essential when dining out. Here are some common expressions:
我饿了 (Wǒ è le) - I’m hungry
"我饿了" (Wǒ è le) means "I’m hungry." It’s a great way to let others know you’re ready to eat.
请给我菜单 (Qǐng gěi wǒ càidān) - Please give me the menu
If you’re at a restaurant, you can ask for the menu by saying "请给我菜单" (Qǐng gěi wǒ càidān).
我要这个 (Wǒ yào zhège) - I want this
"我要这个" (Wǒ yào zhège) is a simple way to say "I want this," useful when pointing at food or drinks you want to order.
结账 (Jiézhàng) - Check, please
"结账" (Jiézhàng) means "Check, please." You can say this when you’re ready to pay for your meal.