Chinese for Booking a Half Badminton Court by Phone
Learn to call a sports center in Mandarin to ask about booking a half court: use 半场, 订场, and 多少钱 politely and clearly.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
When you want to reserve just half of a badminton court for a small group, you need three key expressions: 半场 (bànchǎng, half court), 订场 (dìngchǎng, book a court), and 多少钱 (duōshao qián, how much). This lesson teaches you a polite phone inquiry to a sports center. You will practice asking if a half court is available, stating your preferred time, and asking the price. The focus is on clear, courteous spoken Mandarin that works in most Chinese sports halls. You will not learn generic travel phrases; instead, you will master a specific transactional exchange. By the end, you can make a simple booking call with confidence, using appropriate polite forms such as 请问 (qǐngwèn, may I ask) and 谢谢 (xièxie, thank you).
By the end, you can…
- ask whether a half court is available for a given time.
- book a half court using 订场 and specify the number of people.
- ask how much it costs with 多少钱 and understand a simple price answer.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
请问，我想订一个半场。
Excuse me, I'd like to book a half court.
Qǐngwèn, wǒ xiǎng dìng yí ge bànchǎng.
Polite opening for a phone call. 请问 softens the request; 一个半场 means 'one half court'. Note: 一个 is often shortened to 一个 in fast speech, but in writing keep 一个.
半场多少钱？
How much is a half court?
Bànchǎng duōshao qián?
Direct price question. 多少钱 is the standard way to ask 'how much money'. In service settings, this is acceptable and common.
今天晚上七点有半场吗？
Is there a half court available at 7 p.m. tonight?
Jīntiān wǎnshang qī diǎn yǒu bànchǎng ma?
Asks about availability at a specific time. 有...吗 is the pattern for 'is there...?'. 晚上 means 'evening/night'; 今天晚上 means 'this evening'.
我们四个人，打两个小时。
There are four of us, playing for two hours.
Wǒmen sì ge rén, dǎ liǎng ge xiǎoshí.
Gives group size and duration. 四个人 means 'four people'; 打两个小时 means 'play for two hours'. 个 is the general measure word; 小时 means 'hour'.
可以订半场吗？
Can I book a half court?
Kěyǐ dìng bànchǎng ma?
General yes/no question about booking a half court. 可以 means 'can/may'. This is polite and common.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 我想订... (wǒ xiǎng dìng..., I'd like to book...) is useful for making a request. Add the item after 订. For example: 我想订一个半场。 (I'd like to book a half court.) 我想订两个小时。 (I'd like to book two hours.) To ask a question, use 可以...吗？ (kěyǐ... ma?, can I...?): 可以订半场吗？ (Can I book a half court?) For price, use 多少钱？ after the item: 半场多少钱？ (How much is a half court?) These patterns are polite and common in service calls. Note: 订场 (dìngchǎng) is a general term for booking a court; 半场 (bànchǎng) specifies half court.
When to use it
Use these phrases when calling a sports center. Start with 请问 (qǐngwèn, may I ask) to be polite. Then state your request: 我想订一个半场。 (I'd like to book a half court.) If you need a specific time, ask: 今天晚上七点有半场吗？ (Is there a half court at 7 p.m. tonight?) After the staff answers, you can ask 多少钱？ (How much?) and give details: 我们四个人。 (There are four of us.) End with 谢谢 (xièxie, thank you). Avoid demanding language; keep your tone friendly and patient. In many sports halls, staff may use 您 (nín) to show respect; you can use 你 (nǐ) or 您 (nín) depending on formality.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
您好，请问你们这里可以订半场吗？
Hello, may I ask if you can book a half court here?Nín hǎo, qǐngwèn nǐmen zhèlǐ kěyǐ dìng bànchǎng ma?可以，您想订什么时候的？
Yes, what time would you like to book?Kěyǐ, nín xiǎng dìng shénme shíhou de?今天晚上七点，半场多少钱？
Tonight at 7 p.m., how much is a half court?Jīntiān wǎnshang qī diǎn, bànchǎng duōshao qián?半场一个小时五十块。您几个人？
A half court is 50 yuan per hour. How many people?Bànchǎng yí ge xiǎoshí wǔshí kuài. Nín jǐ ge rén?A little context goes a long way
In Chinese sports halls, staff may answer the phone with 您好 (nín hǎo, hello). Using 您 (nín, you polite) shows respect. Prices and availability vary by location and time; always confirm when you call. It is common to ask 多少钱 directly, but a polite tone with 请问 is appreciated. If the line is busy, you may need to call back. Do not assume online booking is available; phone booking is still common for half courts. Note: 半场 (bànchǎng) specifically means half court; full court is 全场 (quánchǎng).
One thing to watch for
Saying 订半场 without 一个 or a time, which can sound abrupt or unclear.
Try this instead: Include a measure word and details: 我想订一个半场，今天晚上七点。 (I'd like to book a half court, tonight at 7.) This is clearer and more polite.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'How much is a half court?' in Chinese?
Show a sample answer
半场多少钱？
This uses 半场 (half court) and 多少钱 (how much money). It is the standard price question.
2You want to book a half court for tonight at 8 p.m. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
我想订一个半场，今天晚上八点。
This states your request with 我想订一个半场 and adds the time. You could also ask 今天晚上八点有半场吗？
3How do you ask if a half court is available at 6 p.m. today?
Show a sample answer
今天下午六点有半场吗？
This uses 有...吗 to ask about availability. 下午六点 means 6 p.m. You can replace 下午 with 晚上 for evening.
To book a half court in Chinese, remember: 请问，我想订一个半场。 Then ask 多少钱？ and give your time and group size. Keep it polite and clear.
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