Asking for a Recipe in Mandarin Chinese: Requesting Written Instructions
Learn to ask someone for a recipe in Mandarin, using 你能给我食谱吗 and related phrases. Focus on requesting written or shared instructions, not just cooking advice.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you want to cook a dish at home, you often need the exact recipe—ingredients, amounts, and steps. In Mandarin, asking for a recipe is different from asking how to cook something. This lesson teaches you to request a recipe (食谱) or written instructions from someone. You will learn the key phrase 你能给我食谱吗? (Can you give me the recipe?) and how to ask for it in a polite, natural way. We will also cover how to specify if you want it written down or sent to you. By the end, you will be able to ask for a recipe clearly and understand the response.
By the end, you can…
- ask someone to give me a recipe using 你能给我食谱吗?
- request a written copy or a digital version of a recipe.
- distinguish between asking for a recipe and asking how to cook.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
你能给我食谱吗？
Can you give me the recipe?
Nǐ néng gěi wǒ shípǔ ma?
Standard polite request for a recipe. Use with friends, family, or acquaintances.
请给我食谱。
Please give me the recipe.
Qǐng gěi wǒ shípǔ.
More direct; use when you are sure the person has the recipe and you want to be straightforward.
你能把食谱写下来吗？
Can you write down the recipe?
Nǐ néng bǎ shípǔ xiě xiàlái ma?
Ask for a written copy, not just verbal instructions.
你能把食谱发给我吗？
Can you send me the recipe?
Nǐ néng bǎ shípǔ fā gěi wǒ ma?
Request a digital copy via text, email, or messaging app.
我想学做这道菜，你能给我食谱吗？
I want to learn to make this dish; can you give me the recipe?
Wǒ xiǎng xué zuò zhè dào cài, nǐ néng gěi wǒ shípǔ ma?
Combines your intention with the request, making it sound friendly and clear.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 你能给我 + [item] + 吗? (Nǐ néng gěi wǒ ... ma?), meaning 'Can you give me ...?' To ask for a recipe, put 食谱 (shípǔ) after 给我. For example, 你能给我食谱吗? (Can you give me the recipe?). To specify a written recipe, add 写下来 (xiě xiàlái) after 食谱: 你能把食谱写下来吗? (Can you write down the recipe?). The word 把 (bǎ) moves the object before the verb, which is common when you want a specific action done with the recipe. You can also use 发给我 (fā gěi wǒ) for 'send to me'.
When to use it
Use 你能给我食谱吗? when you are talking to someone who has a recipe you want, such as a friend, relative, or colleague. It is neutral and polite. If you are asking a chef or a stranger, you might add 请问 (qǐngwèn, 'excuse me') at the beginning: 请问，你能给我食谱吗? For a written copy, say 你能把食谱写下来吗? or 你能把食谱发给我吗? if you want it sent digitally. Avoid using 怎么做 (zěnme zuò, 'how to make') when you specifically want the recipe; that asks for a method, not the written instructions. For example, 这道菜怎么做? means 'How do you make this dish?' and may get a verbal explanation, not a recipe.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
你做的红烧肉太好吃了！你能给我食谱吗？
Your braised pork is so delicious! Can you give me the recipe?Nǐ zuò de hóngshāoròu tài hǎochī le! Nǐ néng gěi wǒ shípǔ ma?当然可以。你想让我写下来还是发给你？
Of course. Do you want me to write it down or send it to you?Dāngrán kěyǐ. Nǐ xiǎng ràng wǒ xiě xiàlái háishì fā gěi nǐ?请发给我吧。谢谢！
Please send it to me. Thanks!Qǐng fā gěi wǒ ba. Xièxie!好的，我一会儿用微信发给你。
Okay, I'll send it to you on WeChat in a bit.Hǎo de, wǒ yīhuìr yòng Wēixìn fā gěi nǐ.A little context goes a long way
In Chinese-speaking contexts, asking for a recipe is common among friends and family, but it can be seen as a request for a personal favor. If the recipe is a family secret, the person may politely decline or give only general steps. It is polite to compliment the dish first, as in the dialogue. When asking, use a friendly tone and consider saying 方便的话 (fāngbiàn de huà, 'if it's convenient') to soften the request.
One thing to watch for
Using 怎么做 (zěnme zuò) when you specifically want the recipe.
Try this instead: 怎么做 asks 'how to make,' which may get a verbal explanation. To ask for the recipe, say 你能给我食谱吗? (Can you give me the recipe?) or 你能把食谱写下来吗? (Can you write down the recipe?). For example, if you want the written recipe, say 请把食谱发给我 (Please send me the recipe).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Can you give me the recipe?' in Mandarin?
Show a sample answer
你能给我食谱吗？
This uses the pattern 你能给我 + 食谱 + 吗. It is the most direct and common way to ask for a recipe.
2What would you say to ask someone to write down the recipe?
Show a sample answer
你能把食谱写下来吗？
This uses 把 to move 食谱 before the verb 写下来, meaning 'write down.' It specifically requests a written copy.
3If you want the recipe sent to you digitally, what phrase can you use?
Show a sample answer
你能把食谱发给我吗？
发给我 means 'send to me.' This is appropriate for email, text, or messaging apps. You could also say 请发给我食谱.
To ask for a recipe in Mandarin, use 你能给我食谱吗? For a written copy, say 你能把食谱写下来吗? For a digital copy, say 你能把食谱发给我吗? Remember to compliment the dish first and use a polite tone.
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