The short version: give the drink, then size, ice and sugar, in one breath: 我要一杯珍珠奶茶，大杯，少冰，三分糖 (wǒ yào yì bēi zhēnzhū nǎichá, dà bēi, shǎo bīng, sān fēn táng), one large pearl milk tea, less ice, 30 percent sugar. Sugar is counted in tenths: 三分糖 is 30 percent. 去冰 means no ice, but the drink is still cold.
A milk tea shop is one of the most common places to use Chinese and one of the fastest. The cashier fires off three or four short questions, the queue is waiting behind you, and the menu board is full of words like 芋圆 and 售罄. Once you know the four choices every order needs, you can answer all of the questions before they are asked.
The order in one sentence
杯 bēi is the measure word for a cup or glass, so it is 一杯, 两杯 (not 二杯). 我要 is the normal way to order and is not rude; see 要 vs 想 in Chinese.
Sugar: 甜度, counted in tenths
The sugar level (甜度 tiándù) uses 分 fēn to mean tenths, the same way 七分饱 means 70 percent full. Chains print their own names, so you will see both columns below.
Ice and temperature: 冰度
Size and toppings
Most shops have two sizes, 中杯 zhōng bēi (medium) and 大杯 dà bēi (large); some add 超大杯 chāo dà bēi. Toppings (小料 xiǎoliào, or 加料) are added with 加 jiā and removed with 不要:
| Topping | Pinyin | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| 珍珠 | zhēnzhū | tapioca pearls (literally “pearls”) |
| 椰果 | yēguǒ | coconut jelly cubes |
| 芋圆 | yùyuán | chewy taro balls |
| 布丁 | bùdīng | egg pudding |
| 红豆 | hóngdòu | sweet red beans |
| 仙草 | xiāncǎo | grass jelly |
| 奶盖 | nǎigài | milk or cheese foam on top |
What the cashier asks
If you do not give everything in one sentence, the cashier will ask for each piece. These are the questions, roughly in order:
Pay by scanning the code, keep your receipt or order screen, and listen for your number. Many shops skip the counter entirely: you scan a QR code on the wall and order in a WeChat or Alipay mini program (扫码点单 sǎomǎ diǎndān).
Words on the menu board
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 奶茶 | nǎichá | milk tea |
| 果茶 | guǒchá | fruit tea |
| 纯茶 | chúnchá | plain tea, no milk |
| 招牌 | zhāopái | signature drink |
| 推荐 | tuījiàn | recommended |
| 新品 | xīnpǐn | new |
| 限定 | xiàndìng | limited (season or city) |
| 售罄 | shòuqìng | sold out |
Check yourself: what did you order?
Pick the right meaning or phrase.
分 means tenths: 30 percent.
去冰 removes the ice but the drink is still chilled.
常温 means room temperature.
Before a measure word, 2 is 两: 两杯.
打包 (or 带走) means to take away.
售罄 shòuqìng means sold out.
Order it right, then keep the words
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Learn Chinese with Hanzijo - FreeQuick reference
- Full order
- 我要一杯珍珠奶茶，大杯，少冰，三分糖.
- Sugar 甜度
- 全糖 (标准) · 七分 (少糖) · 五分 (半糖) · 三分 (微糖) · 无糖 / 不另外加糖. 分 = tenths.
- Ice 冰度
- 正常冰 · 少冰 · 去冰 (no ice, still cold) · 常温 · 温 · 热.
- Size
- 中杯 · 大杯 · 超大杯 (some chains).
- Toppings
- 加 + topping: 珍珠, 椰果, 芋圆, 布丁, 红豆, 仙草, 奶盖. 不要珍珠 = no pearls.
- Here or to go
- 在这儿喝还是带走？ / 堂食还是打包？ → 带走.
- Pick-up
- 36号好了 = number 36 is ready. 扫码点单 = order by QR code.
- Menu
- 奶茶 · 果茶 · 纯茶 · 招牌 · 推荐 · 新品 · 限定 · 售罄 (sold out).
Frequently asked questions
How do you order bubble tea in Chinese?
Say the drink, then size, ice and sugar: 我要一杯珍珠奶茶，大杯，少冰，三分糖 (wǒ yào yì bēi zhēnzhū nǎichá, dà bēi, shǎo bīng, sān fēn táng), one large pearl milk tea, less ice, 30 percent sugar.
What does 三分糖 mean?
三分糖 means 30 percent sugar. 分 here means tenths, so 七分糖 is 70 percent and 五分糖 is half sugar, also called 半糖. Many chains call 三分糖 微糖.
What is the difference between 少冰 and 去冰?
少冰 (shǎo bīng) means less ice. 去冰 (qù bīng) means no ice, but the drink is still made cold. If you want it at room temperature, ask for 常温; for a hot drink, 热的.
How do you say no sugar in Chinese?
Say 无糖 (wú táng) or, at many chains, 不另外加糖 (no added sugar). The second is more accurate, because milk and toppings can still be a little sweet.
How do you say to go in Chinese?
Say 带走 (dàizǒu) or 打包 (dǎbāo). If the cashier asks 在这儿喝还是带走？ or 堂食还是打包？, answer 带走 to take it away or 在这儿喝 to drink it there.
- 中国社会科学院语言研究所, 《现代汉语词典》 (第7版): the entries for 分 (one tenth), 堂食 and 打包.
- 吕叔湘 (Lü Shuxiang), 《现代汉语八百词》: the entries for 要, 还是 and 加.
- 国际中文教育中文水平等级标准 (GF 0025-2021): the official standard behind the new HSK levels.