How to Say ‘How may I help you?’ in Traditional Chinese
請問有什麼可以為您服務的嗎？
qǐng wèn yǒu shén me kě yǐ wèi nín fú wù de ma
[chihng-wuhn yǒu shénme kuh-yee wèi nín fúwù de ma]
🇹🇼 In Taiwan: This is the standard polite opener staff use when answering the phone at restaurants and shops in Taiwan. The respectful 您 and 為您服務 "serve you" set a formal, service-industry tone.
Phrase Breakdown
請問
qǐng wèn
[chihng-wuhn]
May I ask
A polite way to start a question.
請問您可以換其他時間嗎？
May I ask if you can change to another time?
有什麼可以
yǒu shén me kě yǐ
is there anything (I) can
This means 'is there anything that can'. In Taiwan, 什麼 is often said quickly, like shéme.
有什麼可以吃的？
Is there anything to eat?
Words in this phrase
有
yǒu
[yǒu]
have; there is/are
To possess or exist.
這裡有座位。
There is a seat here.
什麼
shén me
[shénme]
what
A question word used to ask about the identity of something.
你在找什麼？
What are you looking for?
可以
kě yǐ
[kuh-yee]
can; may
Used to express ability, permission, or that something is possible.
你如果想加這位主管的聯絡方式，現在可以先自我介紹。
If you want to add this manager's contact information, you can introduce yourself first now.
為您服務的嗎？
wèi nín fú wù de ma
do to serve you?
為您服務 means 'to serve you' and is a very polite service phrase. 為 is read wèi here.
很高興為您服務。
It's a pleasure to serve you.
Words in this phrase
為
wèi
[wèi]
for
Used to indicate purpose.
為遇見更好的未來，我們必須努力。
For meeting a better future, we must work hard.
您
nín
[nín]
you (polite)
A polite form to address 'you'.
這是為您準備的。
This is prepared for you.
服務
fú wù
[fúwù]
to serve
Verb meaning to provide service to someone, common in customer service.
很高興為您服務。
Happy to serve you.
的
de
[de]
(nominalizing particle)
At the end of 是…的, it turns a description into a noun-like phrase: 'a red one'.
這本書是新的。
This book is new.
嗎
ma
[ma]
question particle
A sentence-final particle used to turn a statement into a yes-no question.
你喜歡這個活動嗎？
Do you like this event?
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