2049 Chinese

The 20K Word Road to
Mandarin Proficiency

Chapter 3.5: Dining Etiquette and Customs

– Intermediate Level –

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The Situation

In a traditional 北京 (Beijing) 宴会 (banquet | yànhuì), two friends experience the intricate dance of Chinese dining etiquette. They learn the importance of 坐次 (seating order | zuòcì), where the 主席 (host | zhǔxí) sits in a designated place, symbolizing respect and hierarchy.

As this is their first such experience, they make sure their behavior is 合适 (appropriate | héshì) for the 场合 (occasion | chǎnghé), paying close attention to the 文化 (culture | wénhuà) and 传统 (tradition | chuántǒng) embedded in the dining practice. They approach the event with 恭敬 (respect | gōngjìng) and 谦虚 (humility | qiānxū), understanding the importance of proper 待客 (hosting | dàikè) and 交流 (communication | jiāoliú).

Before the meal, they follow the custom of 洗手 (washing hands | xǐshǒu), a gesture of cleanliness and preparation. During the meal, they offer 祝福 (blessings | zhùfú) and 赞美 (compliments | zànměi) for the delicious food, showing appreciation and respect. They are careful to 遵守 (follow | zūnshǒu) the norms of 行为 (behavior | xíngwéi), 礼节 (etiquette | lǐjié), 言谈 (language | yántán), and 举止 (manners | jǔzhǐ) to ensure that they do not offend their hosts.

Intrigued by the variety of dishes, they carefully 品尝 (taste | pǐncháng) each one, appreciating the flavors and preparations. When they encounter a 自助餐 (buffet | zìzhùcān), they are more 熟悉 (familiar | shúxī) with the 规矩 (rules | guījǔ) and customs, navigating the options with ease and confidence.


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The Sentences

宴会
公司宴会很隆重。
Gōngsī yànhuì hěn lóngzhòng.
Company banquets are grand.
坐次
坐次体现尊卑。
Zuò cì tǐxiàn zūn bēi.
The seating order reflects honor and respect.
主席
主席在中间。
Zhǔxí zài zhōngjiān.
The most important seat is in the center.
合适
这个场合穿着要合适。
Zhège chǎnghé chuānzhuó yào héshì.
Dress appropriately for the occasion.
场合
不同场合有不同规矩。
Bùtóng chǎnghé yǒu bùtóng guīju.
There are different rules for different occasions.
文化
每个国家文化不同。
Měi gè guójiā wénhuà bùtóng.
Every country has a different culture.
传统
中国有丰富的传统。
Zhōngguó yǒu fēngfù de chuántǒng.
China has a rich tradition.
恭敬
对长辈要恭敬。
Duì zhǎngbèi yào gōngjìng.
Be respectful to your elders.
待客
我们热情待客。
Wǒmen rèqíng dài kè.
We treat our guests with hospitality.
交流
餐桌上交流很重要。
Cānzhuō shàng jiāoliú hěn zhòngyào.
Communication at the table is important.
谦虚
谦虚使人进步。
Qiānxū shǐ rén jìnbù.
Modesty leads to progress.
洗手
用餐前先洗手。
Yòng cān qián xiān xǐshǒu.
Wash your hands before eating.
祝福
用餐时互相祝福。
Yòng cān shí hùxiāng zhùfú.
Bless each other during meals.
赞美
对厨师进行赞美。
Duì chúshī jìnxíng zànměi.
Praise the chef.
遵守
遵守餐桌礼仪。
Zūnshǒu cānzhuō lǐyí.
Observe table manners.
行为
注意餐桌行为。
Zhùyì cānzhuō xíngwéi.
Pay attention to table behavior.
礼节
中国餐桌礼节多。
Zhōngguó cānzhuō lǐjié duō.
Chinese table manners.
言谈
言谈举止体现教养。
Yántán jǔzhǐ tǐxiàn jiàoyǎng.
Behavior reflects culture.
举止
举止反映文化。
Jǔzhǐ fǎnyìng wénhuà.
Behavior reflects culture.
品尝
品尝每一道菜。
Pǐncháng měi yídào cài.
Savor every dish.
自助餐
自助餐自由取餐。
Zìzhùcān zìyóu qǔ cān.
Buffets are free to pick up.
熟悉
熟悉餐桌礼仪。
Shúxī cānzhuō lǐyí.
Familiarize yourself with table manners.
规矩
每个地方有规矩。
Měi gè dìfāng yǒu guījǔ.
Every place has rules.

 

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The Words

宴会
yànhuì
banquet
坐次
zuò cì
seating order
主席
zhǔxí
chairperson
合适
héshì
appropriate
场合
chǎnghé
occasion
文化
wénhuà
culture
传统
chuántǒng
tradition
恭敬
gōngjìng
respectful
待客
dài kè
to host
交流
jiāoliú
to communicate
谦虚
qiānxū
modest
洗手
xǐshǒu
to wash hands
祝福
zhùfú
to bless
赞美
zànměi
to praise
遵守
zūnshǒu
to obey
行为
xíngwéi
behavior
礼节
lǐjié
protocol
言谈
yántán
speech
举止
jǔzhǐ
behavior
品尝
pǐncháng
to taste
自助餐
zìzhùcān
buffet
熟悉
shúxī
to be familiar with
规矩
guīju
rules

 

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