In this workshop you will practice asking for a different side dish in Chinese and understanding the reply. You will use short recorded lines, learn what each one means in English, and then take both roles in a guided exchange. The focus is on polite requests, stating a dietary need, and confirming a small extra charge.
Asking for a swap and stating a dietary need
Start with the core request. «我可以把薯条换成沙拉吗？» means "Can I have salad instead of fries?" This is a polite way to ask for one side dish in place of another. If you need to explain why, you can state a dietary restriction. «我对油炸食品过敏。» means "I am allergic to fried food." A softer, preference-based version is «我不吃油炸的。», which means "I don't eat fried food." When you want to change an item more generally, use «可以换成别的吗？», meaning "Can I swap it for something else?" Practice saying each line slowly, then at a natural speed. Keep your tone calm and friendly; the request itself is already polite.
Understanding the reply and confirming
After you make a request, listen for the response. In the recorded exchange, the staff member answers with «当然可以。沙拉需要额外收费两元，可以吗？», which means "Of course. The salad costs an extra two yuan, is that okay?" This tells you the swap is possible and mentions a small extra charge. You can accept with «没问题。谢谢！», meaning "No problem. Thank you!" Then the staff member says «好的，请稍等。», meaning "Okay, please wait a moment." Notice the order: request, reply with price, acceptance, and then a short instruction to wait. When you practice, keep that order even if you switch roles.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
我可以把薯条换成沙拉吗？
Can I have salad instead of fries?
Wǒ kěyǐ bǎ shǔtiáo huàn chéng shālā ma?
我对油炸食品过敏。
I am allergic to fried food.
Wǒ duì yóuzhá shípǐn guòmǐn.
我不吃油炸的。
I don't eat fried food.
Wǒ bù chī yóuzhá de.
可以换成别的吗？
Can I swap it for something else?
Kěyǐ huàn chéng bié de ma?
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
你好，我可以把薯条换成沙拉吗？我对油炸食品过敏。
Hello, can I have salad instead of fries? I'm allergic to fried food.当然可以。沙拉需要额外收费两元，可以吗？
Of course. The salad costs an extra two yuan, is that okay?没问题。谢谢！
No problem. Thank you!好的，请稍等。
Okay, please wait a moment.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: request and respond
You are a customer ordering a meal. Your partner plays the staff member. Use the recorded lines as your script.
Your task: Customer: say «你好，我可以把薯条换成沙拉吗？我对油炸食品过敏。». Staff: reply with «当然可以。沙拉需要额外收费两元，可以吗？». Customer: answer with «没问题。谢谢！». Staff: finish with «好的，请稍等。». Then swap roles and repeat the same order.
Reply comprehension: choose the matching response
You hear a customer say «我可以把薯条换成沙拉吗？». You are the staff member and need to choose a suitable reply from the options below.
Your task: Option A: «当然可以。沙拉需要额外收费两元，可以吗？». Option B: «好的，请稍等。». Which reply matches the customer's request and gives the needed information? Say your choice aloud, then say the full reply.
Recall with correct roles
Work with a partner. One person is the customer and one is the staff member. Cover the recorded lines and try to remember them.
Your task: Customer: make the request using «你好，我可以把薯条换成沙拉吗？我对油炸食品过敏。». Staff: give the reply with the price using «当然可以。沙拉需要额外收费两元，可以吗？». Customer: accept using «没问题。谢谢！». Staff: close with «好的，请稍等。». Then switch roles and repeat from memory.
Common questions
Do I need to explain why I want a substitution?
No. You can simply ask with «我可以把薯条换成沙拉吗？». If you want to give a reason, you can add «我对油炸食品过敏。» or «我不吃油炸的。». Both are optional and depend on your situation.
What should I listen for in the staff reply?
Listen for whether the swap is possible and whether there is an extra charge. In the recorded reply «当然可以。沙拉需要额外收费两元，可以吗？», the staff member confirms the swap and mentions an extra two yuan, then asks if that is okay.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: request a dietary substitutionChecked September 2026
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Take today's Chinese into a conversation with a Yapr AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr