How to Say ‘How many people?’ in Simplified Chinese
请问几位？
qǐng wèn jǐ wèi
[ching-wen jee way]
🇨🇳 In China: Restaurant staff in China often ask [请问几位？] right away when you arrive or call. A short answer like [四位] is completely natural.
Phrase Breakdown
请问
qǐng wèn
[ching-wen]
excuse me; may I ask
A polite phrase used to begin a question, especially with staff or strangers.
服务员说：请问几位？
The server said: May I ask how many people?
几位
jǐ wèi
how many people
A polite way to ask how many guests are present.
请问几位？
May I ask how many people?
Words in this phrase
几
jǐ
[jee]
how many
Used to ask for a number in polite service situations, such as party size.
服务员会问：请问几位？
The server will ask: How many people?
位
wèi
[way]
person; guest (polite measure word)
A polite measure word for people, often used by restaurant staff.
到店以后，店员会问：请问几位？
After arriving at the restaurant, the staff will ask: How many people?
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