Chinese for Catering an Event: Business Negotiation Phrases
Learn Mandarin terms and phrases to negotiate catering services for corporate events, focusing on business deals rather than market haggling.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When organizing a corporate event in a Chinese-speaking environment, you'll need to discuss catering services with vendors. Unlike market negotiations where haggling is common, catering deals are more formal and focus on menus, pricing, and logistics. This lesson teaches you key phrases to communicate your needs, negotiate terms, and finalize arrangements. You'll learn how to inquire about services, specify requirements, discuss prices, and confirm details, all while maintaining a professional tone suitable for business interactions.
By the end, you can…
- inquire about catering services for a business event.
- specify menu requirements and guest numbers.
- negotiate prices and payment terms politely.
- confirm delivery and setup details.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
我们需要为公司的活动订餐。
We need to order catering for a company event.
Wǒmen xūyào wèi gōngsī de huódòng dìng cān.
Use this to start a conversation with a catering company, stating your purpose clearly.
请问你们提供哪些餐饮服务？
What catering services do you provide?
Qǐngwèn nǐmen tígōng nǎxiē cānyǐn fúwù?
A polite way to ask about available services, using 'qǐngwèn' to soften the question.
我们大概有50人参加，能安排吗？
We have about 50 people attending, can you arrange that?
Wǒmen dàgài yǒu wǔshí rén cānjiā, néng ānpái ma?
Specify the number of guests and ask if it's feasible; 'dàgài' means 'approximately'.
菜单可以定制吗？我们有素食者。
Can the menu be customized? We have vegetarians.
Càidān kěyǐ dìngzhì ma? Wǒmen yǒu sùshízhě.
Inquire about menu flexibility and mention dietary restrictions.
价格方面，能给我们一个优惠吗？
Regarding the price, can you give us a discount?
Jiàgé fāngmiàn, néng gěi wǒmen yī gè yōuhuì ma?
A polite way to ask for a discount, common in business negotiations.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern '能...吗？' (néng... ma?) is used to ask if something is possible. For example, '能安排吗？' (Can you arrange it?), '能定制吗？' (Can it be customized?), '能优惠吗？' (Can you give a discount?). This pattern is polite and indirect, suitable for business requests. Another useful pattern is '我们...' (wǒmen...) to state your needs, as in '我们需要...' (We need...), '我们有...' (We have...).
When to use it
Use these phrases when discussing catering for corporate events, conferences, or meetings. They are appropriate for initial inquiries, specifying requirements, and negotiating terms. Avoid using overly casual language or haggling like in a market; instead, maintain a professional tone. For example, when asking for a discount, say '价格方面，能给我们一个优惠吗？' rather than '太贵了，便宜点！' which is too blunt for business.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
您好，我们需要为下个月的会议订餐。
Hello, we need to order catering for next month's conference.Nín hǎo, wǒmen xūyào wèi xià gè yuè de huìyì dìng cān.好的，请问有多少人参加？
Okay, may I ask how many people will attend?Hǎo de, qǐngwèn yǒu duōshǎo rén cānjiā?大约80人。另外，菜单能包括一些素食选项吗？
About 80 people. Also, can the menu include some vegetarian options?Dàyuē bāshí rén. Lìngwài, càidān néng bāokuò yīxiē sùshí xuǎnxiàng ma?没问题。我们可以定制菜单。关于价格，我们提供套餐，每人100元。
No problem. We can customize the menu. Regarding the price, we offer a set menu at 100 yuan per person.Méi wèntí. Wǒmen kěyǐ dìngzhì càidān. Guānyú jiàgé, wǒmen tígōng tàocān, měi rén yībǎi yuán.A little context goes a long way
In Chinese business culture, building relationships (guanxi) is important. It's common to exchange pleasantries before diving into business. When negotiating, avoid direct confrontation; use polite and indirect language. For example, instead of saying '太贵了' (too expensive), say '价格方面，能再考虑一下吗？' (Regarding the price, can you reconsider?). Also, decisions may take time, so be patient and avoid pushing too hard.
One thing to watch for
Using '便宜点' (piányi diǎn) to ask for a discount, which is too casual for business settings.
Try this instead: Use '能给我们一个优惠吗？' (Néng gěi wǒmen yī gè yōuhuì ma?) or '价格方面，能再商量吗？' (Jiàgé fāngmiàn, néng zài shāngliáng ma?) to sound more professional.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask if the catering company can provide a vegetarian menu?
Show a sample answer
菜单能包括素食选项吗？
This uses the pattern '能...吗？' to ask about possibility. Alternatively, you could say '有素食菜单吗？' (Do you have a vegetarian menu?).
2What phrase would you use to negotiate a lower price politely?
Show a sample answer
价格方面，能给我们一个优惠吗？
This is a polite way to ask for a discount. Another option is '能再便宜一点吗？' but it's slightly less formal.
3How do you specify the number of guests?
Show a sample answer
我们大概有50人参加。
This states the approximate number. You can replace 50 with your number. '大概' means 'approximately'.
When negotiating catering for business events in Chinese, use polite and indirect language. Focus on '能...吗？' to ask for possibilities, and specify your needs clearly with '我们...'. Avoid casual haggling; instead, use phrases like '价格方面，能给我们一个优惠吗？' to maintain professionalism.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Chinese into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr