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How to Say ‘I'd like to treat you to coffee. Is that okay?’ in Simplified Chinese

想请你喝咖啡，可以吗？

xiǎng qǐng nǐ hē kā fēi kě yǐ ma

[shyang qǐng nee hē kāfēi kuh-ee ma]

Phrase Breakdown

想请你

xiǎng qǐng nǐ

(I) would like to treat you

This polite invitation leaves out the subject 我. Say xiáng qǐng nǐ smoothly.

Example

想请你看电影。

I'd like to take you to a movie.

Words in this phrase

想

xiǎng

[shyang]

to want; to think

Often means “to want” when followed by a verb, useful for polite questions and intentions.

Example

我想多听听贵公司的介绍。

I would like to hear more about your company’s introduction.

请

qǐng

[qǐng]

to treat; to buy for someone

To pay for someone's food or drink as a treat.

Example

今天我请你吃饭。

Today I'll treat you to a meal.

你

nǐ

[nee]

you

The informal or neutral word for “you,” suitable for peers or casual conversation.

Example

如果对方和你年纪差不多，可以说“认识你”。

If the other person is about your age, you can say “nice to meet you” with 你.

喝咖啡，

hē kā fēi

to coffee,

This is the activity being offered. Pause briefly at the comma.

Example

我们去喝咖啡吧。

Let's go get coffee.

Words in this phrase

喝

hē

[hē]

to drink

Verb for consuming liquids like water, tea or coffee.

Example

我喝咖啡。

I drink coffee.

咖啡

kā fēi

[kāfēi]

coffee

A loanword noun for the drink coffee.

Example

我每天喝一杯咖啡。

I drink a cup of coffee every day.

可以吗？

kě yǐ ma

is that okay?

This tag softens a request. 可 changes to a rising tone before 以: ké yǐ ma.

Example

我坐这儿，可以吗？

Can I sit here?

Words in this phrase

可以

kě yǐ

[kuh-ee]

can; okay; acceptable

Used to say something is possible, allowed, or acceptable.

Example

你定时间也可以。

It’s also fine if you choose the time.

吗

[ma]

question particle

A sentence-final particle used to turn a statement into a yes-no question.

Example

你是第一次来吗？这里的“吗”表示提问。

Is this your first time here? Here, 吗 marks a question.

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