Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar

GUeSt aNd hoSt

58.4

58.2 Offering food and drink

When the host offers the guest something to eat or drink, he or she either serves something or

gives the guest a choice of beverages or food. For example:

请喝茶。

請喝茶。

Qǐng hē chá.

Have some tea.

or

你喝可乐喝茶？

你喝可樂喝茶？

Nǐ hē kělè hē chá?

Do you drink cola or tea?

It is not polite to ask the guest whether he or she wants something to eat or drink (Would you

like something to drink?), or if he or she is thirsty (Are you thirsty?). These kind of questions

allow a response of ‘no,’ and imply that the host does not wish to provide food. A good Chinese

host does not give the guest the opportunity to refuse hospitality.

58.3 Inviting the guest to get comfortable

To invite a guest to get comfortable, say:

请坐。

請坐。

Qǐng zuò.

Have a seat.

休息一会儿。

休息一會兒。

Xiūxi yīhuìr.

Rest for awhile.

58.4 Saying goodbye and seeing the guest off

When it is time for guests to leave, the host has a ritual obligation to encourage them to stay.

Guests have a ritual obligation to insist upon leaving. Expressions used in this ritual are

presented below.

When guests leave, the host is expected to 送 sòng the guests, that is, to see them off.

When you see guests off, you are expected to walk them a portion of the way home. Modern

day interpretation requires accompanying guests at least to the doorway if not to their car or

bus or train, and staying with them until they depart. Even if the host does not accompany

the guest beyond the doorway, he or she does not close the door when guests walk out

of the house. Instead, the host stands in view of the guests, waving, until they are out of

sight.

58.4.1 expressions that the host can say to the guest at the end of a visit

再来玩。

再來玩。

Zài lái wán.

Come again. (informal)