Introduction to Food Delivery in China (中国外卖概述)
Food delivery (外卖, wàimài) has become an essential part of daily life in China. With apps like Meituan (美团, měituán) and Ele.me (饿了么, èleme), ordering meals is fast, convenient, and often cheaper than eating out.
Knowing how to order food delivery in Chinese not only helps you get your favorite dishes but also improves your language skills and confidence when speaking with delivery staff.
Using Food Delivery Apps (使用外卖应用)
Most people order food using apps on their mobile phones. Here are some useful sentences:
我想点外卖 (wǒ xiǎng diǎn wàimài) – I want to order food delivery.
你们有送餐服务吗？ (nǐmen yǒu sòngcān fúwù ma?) – Do you provide delivery service?
我可以用微信支付吗？ (wǒ kěyǐ yòng wēixìn zhīfù ma?) – Can I pay with WeChat Pay?
请把餐送到我的宿舍 (qǐng bǎ cān sòng dào wǒ de sùshè) – Please deliver the meal to my dorm.
可以帮我推荐招牌菜吗？ (kěyǐ bāng wǒ tuījiàn zhāopái cài ma?) – Can you recommend your signature dishes?
Specifying Your Order (说明你的订单)
Being precise about your order avoids mistakes.
我要一份宫保鸡丁，不加辣 (wǒ yào yī fèn gōngbǎo jīdīng, bù jiā là) – I want one Kung Pao chicken, no spice.
我想要一份牛肉面，多放蔬菜 (wǒ xiǎng yào yī fèn niúròu miàn, duō fàng shūcài) – I want beef noodles with extra vegetables.
请不要加味精 (qǐng bùyào jiā wèijīng) – Please don’t add MSG.
我要两份炒饭，一份鸡蛋炒饭，一份虾仁炒饭 (wǒ yào liǎng fèn chǎofàn, yī fèn jīdàn chǎofàn, yī fèn xiārén chǎofàn) – I want two fried rice dishes: one egg fried rice and one shrimp fried rice.
请给我打包 (qǐng gěi wǒ dǎbāo) – Please pack it for takeaway.
Giving Delivery Details (提供送餐信息)
Clear delivery instructions ensure your food arrives correctly.
我的地址是北京市朝阳区三里屯路10号 (wǒ de dìzhǐ shì běijīng shì cháoyáng qū sānlǐtún lù shí hào) – My address is No. 10 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing.
请送到门口，我自己去取 (qǐng sòng dào ménkǒu, wǒ zìjǐ qù qǔ) – Please deliver to the entrance; I will come to pick it up.
如果找不到地址，请给我打电话 (rúguǒ zhǎo bù dào dìzhǐ, qǐng gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà) – If you cannot find the address, please call me.
请在五分钟内送到 (qǐng zài wǔ fēnzhōng nèi sòng dào) – Please deliver within five minutes.
我住在三楼，没有电梯 (wǒ zhù zài sān lóu, méiyǒu diàntī) – I live on the third floor without an elevator.
Communicating with Delivery Staff (与送餐员交流)
Sometimes you need to talk to the delivery person directly.
你现在到楼下了吗？ (nǐ xiànzài dào lóuxià le ma?) – Have you arrived downstairs?
我在大门口等你 (wǒ zài dàmén kǒu děng nǐ) – I am waiting at the main entrance.
请放在门口，我会取走 (qǐng fàng zài ménkǒu, wǒ huì qǔ zǒu) – Please leave it at the door; I will pick it up.
谢谢你，辛苦了 (xièxiè nǐ, xīnkǔ le) – Thank you, you’ve worked hard.
这个餐太烫了，请小心 (zhè gè cān tài tàng le, qǐng xiǎoxīn) – This food is too hot; please be careful.
Handling Problems and Requests (处理问题和特别要求)
Sometimes your order may need adjustments or there might be an issue.
我的餐有点凉，可以再加热吗？ (wǒ de cān yǒudiǎn liáng, kěyǐ zài jiārè ma?) – My food is a bit cold. Can you reheat it?
我点的菜少了一份 (wǒ diǎn de cài shǎo le yī fèn) – One dish is missing from my order.
我想取消订单，可以吗？ (wǒ xiǎng qǔxiāo dìngdān, kěyǐ ma?) – I want to cancel the order. Is it possible?
请给我多放一些餐具 (qǐng gěi wǒ duō fàng yīxiē cānjù) – Please give me extra utensils.
这道菜有点咸，可以帮我少放盐吗？ (zhè dào cài yǒudiǎn xián, kěyǐ bāng wǒ shǎo fàng yán ma?) – This dish is too salty; can you use less salt?
Tips for Ordering Food Delivery (外卖点餐小贴士)
- 提前查看商家评价 (tíqián chákàn shāngjiā píngjià) – Check restaurant reviews in advance.
- 明确特别要求 (míngquè tèbié yāoqiú) – Make special requests clear.
- 使用中文输入地址和备注 (shǐyòng zhōngwén shūrù dìzhǐ hé bèizhù) – Enter your address and notes in Chinese.
- 留下联系电话 (liú xià liánxì diànhuà) – Leave a contact number.
- 注意送餐时间和高峰期 (zhùyì sòngcān shíjiān hé gāofēng qī) – Pay attention to delivery times and peak hours.
Vocabulary
- 外卖 (wàimài) – food delivery
- 美团 (měituán) – Meituan
- 饿了么 (èleme) – Ele.me
- 招牌菜 (zhāopái cài) – signature dish
- 打包 (dǎbāo) – pack for takeaway
- 地址 (dìzhǐ) – address
- 送餐 (sòngcān) – deliver food
- 餐具 (cānjù) – utensils
- 订单 (dìngdān) – order
- 特别要求 (tèbié yāoqiú) – special request
