How to Order Bubble Tea in Chinese
HSK 1-2
Milk tea shops are everywhere in China, and ordering at the counter is one of the first real conversations most learners have. The good news: the staff ask the same few questions every time, so once you know them, you can order almost anywhere.
You will usually be asked four things: which drink, what size, how sweet and how much ice. Then come toppings (小料) and whether you are drinking it there or taking it away. This page gives you the exact words people use, a sample dialogue and the mistakes learners often make.
Read the phrases out loud, then practice this conversation with an AI partner that corrects you, so the real thing feels easy.
Key phrases
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 我要一杯珍珠奶茶。 | Wǒ yào yì bēi zhēnzhū nǎichá. | I'd like a pearl milk tea. 杯 is the measure word for drinks. |
| 你们有什么推荐？ | Nǐmen yǒu shénme tuījiàn? | What do you recommend? |
| 你们家招牌是什么？ | Nǐmen jiā zhāopái shì shénme? | What's your signature drink? 家 here means 'your shop'. |
| 要大杯还是中杯？ | Yào dà bēi háishi zhōng bēi? | Large or medium? What the staff will ask you. |
| 我要大杯。 | Wǒ yào dà bēi. | Large, please. |
| 甜度呢？ | Tiándù ne? | And how sweet? Some shops say 糖度 (tángdù) instead. |
| 少糖。 | Shǎo táng. | Less sugar. |
| 半糖。 | Bàn táng. | Half sugar. |
| 无糖，谢谢。 | Wú táng, xièxie. | No sugar, thanks. 不加糖 (bù jiā táng) also works. |
| 要冰的还是热的？ | Yào bīng de háishi rè de? | Iced or hot? |
| 少冰。 | Shǎo bīng. | Less ice. |
| 去冰。 | Qù bīng. | No ice. 常温 (chángwēn) means room temperature. |
| 要加小料吗？ | Yào jiā xiǎoliào ma? | Any toppings? 小料 is the everyday word for toppings. |
| 加一份椰果。 | Jiā yí fèn yēguǒ. | Add coconut jelly. Other toppings: 布丁 (bùdīng) pudding, 芋圆 (yùyuán) taro balls. |
| 堂食还是带走？ | Tángshí háishi dàizǒu? | For here or to go? |
| 带走，谢谢。 | Dàizǒu, xièxie. | To go, thanks. 打包 (dǎbāo) also means takeaway. |
| 我在小程序上点了。 | Wǒ zài xiǎochéngxù shang diǎn le. | I ordered on the mini program. Many shops take orders through a WeChat or Alipay mini program. |
Sample dialogue
Staff: 你好，想喝点儿什么？
Nǐ hǎo, xiǎng hē diǎnr shénme?
Hi, what would you like to drink?
You: 我要一杯珍珠奶茶。
Wǒ yào yì bēi zhēnzhū nǎichá.
I'd like a pearl milk tea.
Staff: 好的，要大杯还是中杯？
Hǎo de, yào dà bēi háishi zhōng bēi?
Sure. Large or medium?
You: 大杯吧。
Dà bēi ba.
Large, I think.
Staff: 甜度和冰度呢？
Tiándù hé bīngdù ne?
And the sugar and ice levels?
You: 半糖，少冰。
Bàn táng, shǎo bīng.
Half sugar, less ice.
Staff: 要加别的小料吗？
Yào jiā bié de xiǎoliào ma?
Would you like any other toppings?
You: 再加一份椰果。
Zài jiā yí fèn yēguǒ.
Add some coconut jelly, too.
Staff: 好。堂食还是带走？
Hǎo. Tángshí háishi dàizǒu?
OK. For here or to go?
You: 带走，谢谢。
Dàizǒu, xièxie.
To go, thanks.
Staff: 请扫码支付，好了叫你的号。
Qǐng sǎomǎ zhīfù, hǎo le jiào nǐ de hào.
Please scan to pay. We'll call your number when it's ready.
You: 好的。
Hǎo de.
OK.
Tips
- Many chains label sweetness as 全糖 (full), 七分糖 (70%), 五分糖 (50%), 三分糖 (30%) or 不另外加糖 (no added sugar). If you see numbers, just say the one you want, e.g. 三分糖.
- Standard sweetness is often quite sweet. If you are not sure, 少糖 or 半糖 is a safe choice.
- Lots of shops prefer you to order and pay in their mini program, then wait for your number. Listen for your number or watch the screen.
- Fruit teas often come with fresh fruit and no milk. If you want milk, look for 奶茶 or 奶 in the name.
- Not every drink can be made hot. If the staff say 这个只能做冰的, it means that one only comes iced.
Common mistakes
✗ 我要一个奶茶。
✓ 我要一杯奶茶。
Drinks take the measure word 杯 (cup). 个 is understood but sounds like a beginner.
✗ 没有冰。
✓ 去冰。
没有冰 describes a fact (there is no ice). To ask for no ice, say 去冰 or 不要冰.
✗ 我要拿走。
✓ 带走。
拿走 means to take something away or remove it. For takeaway, people say 带走 or 打包.
FAQ
What does 半糖 mean?
半糖 (bàn táng) means half the shop's standard sugar. 少糖 is less sugar, and 无糖 is no sugar.
How do I say 'no ice' in Chinese?
Say 去冰 (qù bīng) or 不要冰 (bú yào bīng). For a drink that is not cold, ask for 常温 (room temperature) or 热的 (hot).
Can I pay with cash at a milk tea shop?
Most shops are set up for Alipay or WeChat Pay, by scanning a code or ordering in a mini program. Set up mobile payment before you go to make things easier.
Practice this with an AI partner