Chopsticks & Table Words in Chinese 餐桌上
cānzhuō shàng
Chopsticks in Chinese is 筷子 (kuài zi).
Also searched for as: chopsticks, bowl, table manners, spoon.
How do you eat together? 15 essential at the table words in Mandarin Chinese, with pinyin and English. Open it in the app to hear each word, tick off the ones you know and turn them into flashcards.
Sharing a meal is central to Chinese hospitality, and table manners often say more than words. Dishes are placed in the middle for everyone and eaten with 筷子 (kuài zi), and a good host will 夹菜 (jiā cài), putting the best bits into your bowl. You'll also hear 干杯 (gān bēi), 'cheers', literally 'dry the cup', and 慢慢吃 (màn màn chī), a kind way of saying 'take your time and enjoy it'.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 餐桌 | cān zhuō | dining table |
| 筷子 | kuài zi | chopsticks |
| 勺子 | sháo zi | spoon |
| 叉子 | chā zi | fork |
| 刀 | dāo | knife |
| 碗 | wǎn | bowl |
| 盘子 | pán zi | plate |
| 餐巾纸 | cān jīn zhǐ | napkin |
| 夹菜 | jiā cài | to pick up food (for someone) |
| 干杯 | gān bēi | cheers! |
| 慢慢吃 | màn màn chī | enjoy your meal; take your time |
| 吃饱了 | chī bǎo le | I'm full |
| 再来一点儿 | zài lái yī diǎnr | have a bit more |
| 剩菜 | shèng cài | leftovers |
| 收拾 | shōu shi | to clear up |
Usage tips
- Never stand your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice, as it resembles incense sticks at a funeral; lay them across the bowl or on a rest instead.
- 干杯 (gān bēi) traditionally means emptying your glass; if you only want a sip, you can say 随意 (suí yì), 'drink as much as you like'.
- When you've had enough, 我吃饱了 (wǒ chī bǎo le) is the polite way to stop; hosts may still say 再来一点儿 (zài lái yī diǎnr), so a smiling second refusal is normal.
Common mistakes
- Saying 享受你的饭 for 'enjoy your meal': it's a literal translation nobody uses. Hosts say 慢慢吃 (màn màn chī) or 多吃点儿 (duō chī diǎnr).
- Pointing or waving your chopsticks at people, or tapping them on your bowl, is seen as rude; put them down on the table or a rest when you're talking.
Mini dialogue
- A来，多吃点儿，我给你夹菜。Lái, duō chī diǎnr, wǒ gěi nǐ jiā cài.Come on, have some more. Let me serve you.
- B谢谢，我已经吃饱了。Xiè xie, wǒ yǐ jīng chī bǎo le.Thanks, but I'm already full.
- A再来一点儿吧！这个菜很好吃。Zài lái yī diǎnr ba! Zhè ge cài hěn hǎo chī.Have a bit more! This dish is delicious.
- B好吧，就一点儿。来，干杯！Hǎo ba, jiù yī diǎnr. Lái, gān bēi!All right, just a little. Come on, cheers!
Example sentences
- 晚饭准备好了，到餐桌来。Dinner's ready, come to the table.
- 你会用筷子吗？Can you use chopsticks?
- 喝汤用勺子。Use a spoon for soup.
- 可以给我一把叉子吗？Could I have a fork?
- 吃牛排要用刀和叉子。You eat steak with a knife and fork.
- 再来一碗米饭。Another bowl of rice, please.
- 盘子里还有菜。There's still food on the plate.
- 桌上有餐巾纸。There are napkins on the table.
- 奶奶给我夹菜。Grandma puts food on my plate.
- 为了友谊，干杯！To friendship, cheers!
- 你们慢慢吃。Take your time and enjoy your meal.
- 我吃饱了，谢谢。I'm full, thank you.
- 再来一点儿吧！Have a bit more!
- 剩菜放冰箱吧。Put the leftovers in the fridge.
- 吃完饭我来收拾。I'll clear up after the meal.
Practise speaking
Ready to use these words? The At the table speaking island has 8 everyday questions about at the table to prepare your own answers to.