2049 Chinese

The 20K Word Road to
Mandarin Proficiency

Chapter 3.5: Dining Etiquette and Customs

The Situation

Attending a traditional 宴会 (banquet | yànhuì) in 成都 (Chengdu), two foreign guests are eager to respect Chinese dining customs. They start by using 礼貌用语 (polite language | lǐmào yòngyǔ), understanding the importance of 宾主关系 (host-guest relationship | bīnzhǔ guānxì) in 交际礼仪 (social etiquette | jiāojì lǐyí).

The 餐桌布置 (table setting | cānzhuō bùzhì) is complicated, reflecting cultural norms and 文化差异 (cultural differences | wénhuà chāyì). They make sure their 行为 (behavior | xíngwéi) is 合宜 (appropriate | héyí), showing 尊敬长辈 (respect for elders | zūnjìng zhǎngbèi) throughout the evening. During the meal, 觥筹交错 (toasts | gōngchóu jiāocuò) are common, and they participate, being mindful of 饮食习俗 (eating habits | yǐnshí xísú).

They practice 应答技巧 (response skills | yìngdá jìqiǎo) to ensure 宾至如归 (making guests feel at home | bīnzhìrúguī) and 建立良好的待人接物 (establishing good manners | jiànlì liánghǎo de dàirén jiēwù). The principle of 礼尚往来 (mutual courtesy | lǐshàng wǎnglái) guides their interactions, and they are careful in their 言谈举止 (speech and behavior | yántán jǔzhǐ).

Throughout the evening, they observe 主客互动 (host-guest interaction | zhǔkè hùdòng), learning to 避免尴尬 (avoid embarrassment | bìmiǎn gāngà) and 维护场面 (maintain the atmosphere | wéihù chǎngmiàn). Their goal is to 熟悉规矩 (learn the rules | shúxī guījǔ) while embracing the values of 尊老爱幼 (respect the old and love the young | wéihù chǎngmiàn). (respecting the old and loving the young | zūnlǎo àiyòu) and 行为合乎礼仪 (acting in a culturally appropriate manner | xíngwéi héhū lǐyí).

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The Sentences

礼貌用语

在商务宴会中使用恰当的礼貌用语很重要。

Zài shāngwù yànhuì zhōng shǐyòng qiàdàng de lǐmào yòngyǔ hěn zhòngyào.

It’s important to use proper manners at business banquets.

宾主关系

宴会上宾主关系的处理显示主人的智慧。

Yànhuì shàng bīnzhǔ guānxì de chǔlǐ xiǎnshì zhǔrén de zhìhuì.

Relationships between guests and hosts at banquets show the host’s intelligence.

交际礼仪

了解不同文化的交际礼仪是国际商务的关键。

Liǎojiě bùtóng wénhuà de jiāojì lǐyí shì guójì shāngwù de guānjiàn.

Understanding the social etiquette of different cultures is the key to international business.

餐桌布置

精心的餐桌布置反映了主人的用心。

Jīngxīn de cānzhuō bùzhì fǎnyìngle zhǔrén de yòngxīn.

Careful table settings reflect the host’s intentions.

文化差异

理解文化差异有助于国际交流。

Lǐjiě wénhuà chāyì yǒu zhù yú guójì jiāoliú.

Understanding cultural differences facilitates international communication.

合宜行为

在正式宴会上，了解合宜行为非常重要。

Zài zhèngshì yànhuì shàng, liǎojiě héyí xíngwéi fēicháng zhòngyào.

At formal banquets, it is important to understand appropriate behavior.

尊敬长辈

中国文化中，尊敬长辈是基本的礼仪。

Zhōngguó wénhuà zhōng, zūnjìng zhǎngbèi shì jīběn de lǐyí.

In Chinese culture, respecting elders is basic etiquette.

觥筹交错

宴会上觥筹交错的氛围热烈欢快。

Yànhuì shàng gōngchóujiāocuò de fēnwéi rèliè huānkuài.

The atmosphere at a banquet is warm and convivial with a lot of mingling and mingling.

饮食习俗

每个地区的饮食习俗都有其独特性。

Měi gè dìqū de yǐnshí xísú dōu yǒu qí dútè xìng.

Food customs are unique to each region.

应答技巧

应答技巧体现一个人的沟通能力。

Yìngdá jìqiǎo tǐxiàn yígè rén de gōutōng nénglì.

Response skills reflect a person’s ability to communicate.

宾至如归

好的招待让客人感到宾至如归。

Hǎo de zhāodài ràng kèrén gǎndào bīnzhìrúguī.

Good hospitality makes guests feel at home.

待人接物

待人接物的方式反映一个人的修养。

Dàirénjiēwù de fāngshì fǎnyìng yígè rén de xiūyǎng.

The way one treats others reflects one’s cultivation.

礼尚往来

在中华文化中，礼尚往来是基本原则。

Zài zhōnghuá wénhuà zhōng, lǐshàngwǎnglái shì jīběn yuánzé.

In Chinese culture, courtesy is a basic principle.

言谈举止

言谈举止在正式场合尤为重要。

Yántán jǔzhǐ zài zhèngshì chǎnghé yóuwéi zhòngyào.

Speech and demeanor are especially important in formal occasions.

主客互动

宴会上的主客互动能增进彼此的了解。

Yànhuì shàng de zhǔkè hùdòng néng zēngjìn bǐcǐ de liǎojiě.

Interaction between host and guest at banquets enhances mutual understanding.

避免尴尬

在不熟悉的文化中，学会避免尴尬是必要的。

Zài bù shúxī de wénhuà zhōng, xuéhuì bìmiǎn gāngà shì bìyào de.

Learning to avoid embarrassment in an unfamiliar culture is essential.

场面维护

作为主人，维护宴会场面的和谐至关重要。

Zuòwéi zhǔrén, wéihù yànhuì chǎngmiàn de héxié zhì guān zhòngyào.

As a host, it is important to maintain the harmony of the party scene.

熟悉规矩

在不同的文化中，熟悉当地的规矩非常重要。

Zài bùtóng de wénhuà zhōng, shúxī dāngdì de guīju fēicháng zhòngyào.

In different cultures, it is important to familiarize yourself with the local rules.

尊老爱幼

在中国，尊老爱幼是美德的体现。

Zài zhōngguó, zūn lǎo ài yòu shì měidé de tǐxiàn.

In China, honoring the old and loving the young is a virtue.

合乎礼仪

每个动作都应合乎礼仪的要求。

Měi gè dòngzuò dōu yīng héhū lǐyí de yāoqiú.

Every action should be in accordance with the requirements of etiquette.

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The Words

礼貌用语

lǐmào yòngyǔ

polite expressions

宾主关系

bīnzhǔ guānxì

host-guest relationship

交际礼仪

jiāojì lǐyí

social etiquette

餐桌布置

cānzhuō bùzhì

table setting

文化差异

wénhuà chāyì

cultural differences

合宜行为

héyí xíngwéi

appropriate behavior

尊敬长辈

zūnjìng zhǎngbèi

to respect elders

觥筹交错

gōngchóujiāocuò

lively toasting

饮食习俗

yǐnshí xísú

dietary customs

应答技巧

yìngdá jìqiǎo

response skills

宾至如归

bīnzhìrúguī

make guests feel at home

待人接物

dàirénjiēwù

interpersonal skills

礼尚往来

lǐshàngwǎnglái

reciprocity

言谈举止

yántán jǔzhǐ

speech and behavior

主客互动

zhǔkè hùdòng

interaction between host and guest

避免尴尬

bìmiǎn gāngà

to avoid embarrassment

场面维护

chǎngmiàn wéihù

maintaining the atmosphere

熟悉规矩

shúxī guīju

to be familiar with the rules

尊老爱幼

zūn lǎo ài yòu

to respect the old and love the young

合乎礼仪

héhū lǐyí

in accordance with etiquette

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