Chinese for Beginners: Asking for More Food or Another Serving
Learn to say 'More ___, please' and 'Can I have another ___?' in Mandarin Chinese. This lesson teaches the key patterns 再要 and 再来 to request additional servings politely.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you are eating and want more of something, you need to ask for an additional serving. In Mandarin Chinese, the most common way is to use 再 (zài) meaning 'again' or 'more', followed by 要 (yào) 'want' or 来 (lái) 'bring'. For example, 再要一碗米饭 (zài yào yì wǎn mǐfàn) means 'I want another bowl of rice'. You can also use 可以再要...吗？ (kěyǐ zài yào... ma?) to ask 'Can I have another...?' politely. This lesson focuses on requesting repetition of a dish or drink, not ordering for the first time. You will learn five essential phrases, a useful pattern, and practice through a dialogue.
By the end, you can…
- ask for more of a specific food or drink using 再要 or 再来.
- politely ask 'Can I have another ___?' using 可以再要...吗？
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
再要一碗米饭。
I'd like another bowl of rice, please.
zài yào yì wǎn mǐfàn
Use when you want an additional bowl of rice. 再 means 'again/more', 要 means 'want'.
再来一杯茶。
Another cup of tea, please.
zài lái yì bēi chá
Use 来 for 'bring' when asking for a drink. 杯 is the measure word for cups.
可以再要一份饺子吗？
Can I have another order of dumplings?
kěyǐ zài yào yí fèn jiǎozi ma?
Polite question using 可以...吗？. 份 is the measure word for portions.
再要两瓶啤酒。
Two more bottles of beer, please.
zài yào liǎng píng píjiǔ
Use 两 for 'two' before a measure word. 瓶 is for bottles.
请再给我一双筷子。
Please give me another pair of chopsticks.
qǐng zài gěi wǒ yì shuāng kuàizi
Use 给 (gěi) 'give' when asking for an object, not food. 双 is for pairs.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The key pattern is 再 + 要/来 + [number] + [measure word] + [noun]. For example, 再要一碗米饭 (zài yào yì wǎn mǐfàn) means 'I want another bowl of rice'. 再 (zài) indicates repetition. You can also use 可以再要...吗？ (kěyǐ zài yào... ma?) to ask politely: 可以再要一杯咖啡吗？ (kěyǐ zài yào yì bēi kāfēi ma?) 'Can I have another cup of coffee?' Remember to use the correct measure word: 碗 for bowls, 杯 for cups, 瓶 for bottles, 份 for portions, 个 for general items.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are already eating and want more of the same item. For example, if you finish your rice, say 再要一碗米饭. If you want another beer, say 再要一瓶啤酒. To be more polite, add 请 (qǐng) at the beginning or use the question form 可以再要...吗？. Avoid using these when ordering for the first time; instead, say 我要一碗米饭 (wǒ yào yì wǎn mǐfàn) 'I want a bowl of rice'.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
这个饺子很好吃。
These dumplings are delicious.zhège jiǎozi hěn hǎochī谢谢！你要再要一份吗？
Thank you! Would you like another order?xièxie! nǐ yào zài yào yí fèn ma?好的，可以再要一份饺子吗？
Yes, can I have another order of dumplings?hǎo de, kěyǐ zài yào yí fèn jiǎozi ma?当然可以，马上来。
Of course, coming right up.dāngrán kěyǐ, mǎshàng láiA little context goes a long way
In Chinese dining culture, it is common to share dishes and order more as needed. When asking for more, it is polite to use 请 (qǐng) or the question form 可以...吗？. Tipping is not customary in mainland China, so simply asking politely is sufficient. If you are at someone's home, the host may offer more food; you can accept by saying 好的，谢谢 (hǎo de, xièxie) or decline with 不用了，谢谢 (bú yòng le, xièxie).
One thing to watch for
Using 再要 without a measure word, like 再要米饭.
Try this instead: Always include a measure word after the number. Say 再要一碗米饭 (zài yào yì wǎn mǐfàn) 'another bowl of rice'. Without the measure word, the sentence sounds incomplete.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'Another cup of tea, please' in Chinese?
Show a sample answer
再来一杯茶。
This uses 再来 (zài lái) for 'bring another', 一杯 (yì bēi) for 'one cup', and 茶 (chá) for 'tea'. You could also say 再要一杯茶 (zài yào yì bēi chá), which is equally correct.
2Translate: 'Can I have another order of dumplings?'
Show a sample answer
可以再要一份饺子吗？
This uses the polite question pattern 可以...吗？ with 再要一份饺子. 份 is the measure word for portions. Alternatively, you could say 可以再来一份饺子吗？ (kěyǐ zài lái yí fèn jiǎozi ma?), which is also correct.
3What is the measure word for 'bottles' when asking for more beer?
Show a sample answer
瓶 (píng)
瓶 is the measure word for bottles. So 'two more bottles of beer' is 再要两瓶啤酒 (zài yào liǎng píng píjiǔ). Remember to use 两 instead of 二 before a measure word.
To ask for more food or another serving in Chinese, use 再要 or 再来 plus a number, measure word, and noun. For polite questions, use 可以再要...吗？. Always include the correct measure word.
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