How to Order Coffee in Chinese Like a Local

Ordering coffee in Chinese is not only a practical skill but also a fun way to immerse yourself in Chinese culture. Whether you’re at a local café or an international chain like Starbucks, understanding how to confidently order coffee in Chinese will greatly enhance your experience.

In this guide, you will learn the essential phrases and vocabulary to help you order coffee like a local in China. From choosing your coffee type to customizing your order, we’ve got you covered.

Chinese Coffee Culture: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity

Coffee culture in China has grown rapidly over the past decade, blending traditional Chinese tea-drinking habits with global coffee trends. Popular international brands like Starbucks, Tim Hortons, and Blue Bottle Coffee coexist alongside local chains like 瑞幸咖啡 (Ruìxìng Kāfēi), providing coffee lovers with a wide variety of options. Whether you’re enjoying a classic brew or experimenting with local flavors, understanding how to order coffee in Chinese will make your experience even richer.

Types of Coffee in Chinese

When ordering coffee, it’s essential to know the names of common coffee types in Chinese. Below are some popular options:

• Espresso (浓缩咖啡, nóngsuō kāfēi)
• Americano (美式咖啡, měishì kāfēi)
• Black Coffee (黑咖啡, hēi kāfēi)
• Cappuccino (卡布奇诺, kǎ bù qí nuò)
• Latte (拿铁, ná tiě)
• Mocha (摩卡, mó kǎ)
• Macchiato (玛奇朵, mǎ qí duǒ)

Example:
Wǒ yào yī bēi nátiě kāfēi, xièxiè!
(我 要 一 杯 拿铁 咖啡, 谢谢！)
“I would like a cup of latte, thank you!”

Choosing Your Coffee Size in Chinese

When ordering coffee, you’ll also need to specify your preferred size. Here’s how to say different cup sizes in Chinese:

• Small cup (小杯, xiǎo bēi)
• Medium cup (中杯, zhōng bēi)
• Large cup (大杯, dà bēi)
• Venti (超大杯, chāo dà bēi)

Example:
B: Dà bēi, xièxiè!
(大 杯, 谢谢！)
“Large, please!”

Cultural Insight:
In China, larger sizes like “dà bēi” (大杯) and “chāo dà bēi” (超大杯) are especially popular, as many consumers prefer to savor their drinks for longer periods, often enjoying their coffee as part of a leisurely experience.

Coffee Flavours in Chinese

Caramel         焦   糖    jiāo táng
Vanilla            香    草   xiāng cǎo
Hazelnut        榛   子    zhēn zi
Chocolate      巧克力   qiǎo kè lì
Peppermint    薄   荷    bò hé
Cinnamon      肉    桂   ròu guì

Coffee Temperature

Hot coffee       热咖啡    rè kāfēi
Hot beverage   热  饮     rè yǐn
Iced coffee       冰咖啡    bīng kāfēi
Iced beverage  冰镇饮料 bīngzhèn yǐnliào

Customizing Your Coffee in Chinese

Want to customize your coffee? Here are some common customizations you can use:

• Add milk (加牛奶, jiā niúnǎi)
• Add sugar (加糖, jiā táng)
• No sugar (不要糖, bú yào táng)
• Add an extra shot (加浓, jiā nóng)
• Decaf (低咖啡因, dī kāfēiyīn)
• Whipped cream (鲜奶油, xiān nǎiyóu)

Example:
Qǐng jiā diǎnr niúnǎi, xièxiè!
(请 加 点儿 牛奶, 谢谢！)
“Please add some milk, thank you!”

Coffee Flavors and Temperatures in Chinese

Flavors:

• Caramel (焦糖, jiāo táng)
• Vanilla (香草, xiāng cǎo)
• Hazelnut (榛子, zhēn zi)
• Chocolate (巧克力, qiǎo kè lì)

Temperature:

• Hot coffee (热咖啡, rè kāfēi)
• Iced coffee (冰咖啡, bīng kāfēi)

Fun Fact:
Iced coffee (冰咖啡) has become extremely popular in China, especially among younger generations, who see it as a refreshing alternative to traditional hot tea, particularly during the summer months.

For Here or To Go? Practical Phrases

When ordering coffee, you’ll often be asked if you want your coffee “for here” or “to go.” Here’s how to answer:

• For here (在这儿喝, zài zhèr hē)
• To go (打包, dǎ bāo)

Example:
Wǒ zài zhèr hē.
(我 在 这儿 喝.)
“I’ll have it for here.”

Example Sentences for Ordering Coffee in Chinese

Here are a few example sentences to help you confidently place your order:

1. Nǐ hǎo, wǒ yào yī bēi bīng nátiě.
   (你好，我 要 一杯 冰拿铁.)
   “Hello, I’d like an iced latte.”
2. Wǒ yào yī xiǎo bēi nátiě zài zhèr hē, xièxiè!
   (我 要 一小杯 拿铁 在这儿喝, 谢谢！)
   “I’d like a small cup of latte for here, thank you.”
3. Wǒ yào yī bēi chāodà jiāotáng mǎqíduǒ, dǎbāo, xièxiè!
   (我要一杯超大焦糖玛奇朵，打包，谢谢!)
   “I’d like a venti caramel macchiato to go, thank you!”

Exploring China’s Unique Coffee Culture

China’s coffee culture has evolved rapidly, with international brands like Starbucks and local favorites like 瑞幸咖啡 (Ruìxìng Kāfēi) leading the charge. Many younger Chinese consumers are embracing coffee as part of their daily routine, blending Western coffee styles with local tastes and preferences.

Popular Chinese chains like Ruìxìng Kāfēi have grown by offering unique, Chinese-inspired flavors that cater to the local palate, such as osmanthus latte (桂花拿铁) and wolfberry mocha (枸杞摩卡). As China’s coffee market continues to grow, learning how to navigate a Chinese coffee shop will enhance your cultural experience.

Do you have your own examples of how to order coffee in Chinese? Let us know in the comments below.

In China, coffee culture has rapidly evolved, with popular brands like Starbucks, Tim Hortons, Blue Bottle Coffee, and 瑞幸咖啡 (Ruì Xìng Kā Fēi) leading the way. Whether you’re enjoying a classic brew at Starbucks in China or exploring new tastes at Tim Hortons or Blue Bottle Coffee, the Chinese coffee scene offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity.

With the rise of local chains like 瑞幸咖啡, China and coffee have formed a unique relationship that blends global trends with local flavors. So, whether you’re a fan of global brands or local favorites, learning how to order coffee in Chinese will enhance your experience as you navigate the diverse coffee landscape in China.

FAQs: How to Order Coffee in Chinese