Essential Dim Sum Phrases

Learn common phrases for ordering and enjoying dim sum

Goodbye

拜拜

bāai baai

Bye bye

Server/Host
再見

Joi gin

See you again

Customer/Guest
遲啲見

chìh dī gin

See you later

Mandarin: 回頭見 (huí tóu jiàn)

Server/Host
明天見

mìhng tīn gin

See you tomorrow

Customer/Guest

Greetings

歡迎

fūn yìhng

Welcome!

Server/Host
早晨

Jóu sàhn

Good morning!

Mandarin: 早上好 (Zǎo shang hǎo)

Customer/Guest
午安

ńgh ōn

Good afternoon!

Mandarin: 下午好 (xià wǔ hǎo)

Customer/Guest
你好嗎?

Néih hóu ma?

How are you?

Server/Host
好呀

Hóu ā

Good

Mandarin: 好 (Hǎo)

Customer/Guest
食咗飯未呀

sihk jó faahn meih ā

Did you eat, yet?

Mandarin: 吃了吗 (chī le ma)

Server/Host

Seating

幾多位

géi dō wái?

How many seats?

Mandarin: 几位 (jǐ wèi?)

Server/Host
兩位

léuhng wái

Two seats

Customer/Guest
一位

yāt wái

One seat

Customer/Guest
十二位

sahp yih wái

Twelve seats

Customer/Guest
十一位

sahp yāt wái

Eleven seats

Customer/Guest
十位

sahp wái

Ten seats

Customer/Guest
九位

gáu wái

Nine seats

Customer/Guest
八位

baat wái

Eight seats

Customer/Guest
四位

sei wái

Four seats

Customer/Guest
七位

chāt wái

Seven seats

Customer/Guest

Tips for Using These Phrases

Practice Out Loud

Cantonese tones are crucial. Practice saying each phrase multiple times.

Use in Context

Try using these phrases next time you visit a dim sum restaurant.

Don't Be Shy

Native speakers appreciate when you try to speak Cantonese!