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Scene illustrating a Traditional Chinese-language restaurant reservations part 3 conversation
Lesson

Restaurant reservations Part 3: Requesting accommodations for special occasions, such as birthdays or anniversaries.

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Key Phrases

我想訂位。

wǒ xiǎng dìng wèi

I'd like to make a reservation.

特別需求

tè bié xū qiú

Special requests

請問壽星的名字是什麼呢?

qǐng wèn shòu xīng de míng zì shì shén me ne

What is the name?

Skills You'll Learn

Making a reservation

訂位

dìng wèi

Specifying special requests

提供特別需求

tí gōng tè bié xū qiú

Providing necessary details

提供必要詳情

tí gōng bì yào xiáng qíng

Lesson Roleplay

Imagine you are calling a restaurant in Taiwan to make a reservation. You want a table for four on Saturday at 7 PM. It's a special occasion as you're celebrating a birthday, and you'd like them to prepare a cake and decorations. The conversation covers details like the birthday person's name and any special requests.

你好,我想訂位。

nǐ hǎo wǒ xiǎng dìng wèi

Hello, I'd like to make a reservation.

你好,請問您希望訂在什麼時候?

nǐ hǎo qǐng wèn nín xī wàng dìng zài shén me shí hòu

Hello, when would you like to book?

我要訂這週六晚上七點的位子。

wǒ yào dìng zhè zhōu liù wǎn shàng qī diǎn de wèi zi

I want to book a table for 7 PM this Saturday.

好的,訂幾位呢?

hǎo de dìng jǐ wèi ne

Sure, how many people?

我們有四個人。

wǒ men yǒu sì gè rén

There are four of us.

Lesson Vocabulary & Phrases

👤

You

💬 Informal 'you'. Use [您] for a respectful tone.

🇹🇼 Using the informal 'you' with strangers might seem too casual.

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👍

hǎo

Good

💬 Can be combined with [你好] to greet someone.

🇹🇼 In greetings, 'good' symbolizes a wish for well-being.

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👋

你好

nǐ hǎo

Hello

💬 Literally 'you good'. Common greeting.

🇹🇼 Often paired with a slight nod or bow.

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👁

I

💬 Pronounced like 'wo' (like 'woah' without 'ah').

🇹🇼 Used to emphasize statements.

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🤲

xiǎng

Want

💬 Pronounced like 'shyang'.

🇹🇼 Expressing desire is less direct in Chinese culture.

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📅

dìng

Reserve

💬 Pronounced like 'ding'.

🇹🇼 Reservations are popular to ensure a spot.

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💺

wèi

Seat

💬 Can also mean 'position' or 'status'.

🇹🇼 Importance of status often attached to seating arrangements.

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📅

我想訂位。

wǒ xiǎng dìng wèi

I'd like to make a reservation.

💬 Use [我] for 'I' and [想] for 'want'.

🇹🇼 Being polite and clear is valued.

See breakdown →
❓🤔

請問

qǐng wèn

May I ask

💬 Used at the start of polite questions.

🇹🇼 Shows respect to the listener.

See breakdown →
🚀

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