How to Say “Please bring me water” in Chinese
Food and dining · HSK 2
"Please bring me water" in Chinese is 请给我一杯水 (Qǐng gěi wǒ yì bēi shuǐ). Chinese restaurants don't serve water by default; you have to ask, and what you get is usually 热水 (hot water) or 温水 (warm water), not ice water. If you want cold water, specifically ask for 冰水.
Primary translation
请给我一杯水
Qǐng gěi wǒ yì bēi shuǐ
Traditional: 請給我一杯水
Variants by register
Formal
麻烦给我一杯水
Máfan gěi wǒ yì bēi shuǐ
Casual
给我一杯水
Gěi wǒ yì bēi shuǐ
When to use it
Chinese restaurants don't serve water by default; you have to ask, and what you get is usually 热水 (hot water) or 温水 (warm water), not ice water. If you want cold water, specifically ask for 冰水. The measure word 杯 (cup/glass) is essential; saying 给我水 without it sounds abrupt. 麻烦 ('to trouble you') is softer and very common with waitstaff; 请 is polite but can feel slightly stiff in casual diners. In Taiwan, 開水 (boiled water) is the default term. Drop 请 entirely when speaking to close friends.
Example sentences
服务员，麻烦给我一杯水。
Fúwùyuán, máfan gěi wǒ yì bēi shuǐ.
Excuse me, could I get a glass of water?
请给我一杯冰水，谢谢。
Qǐng gěi wǒ yì bēi bīngshuǐ, xièxie.
A glass of ice water please, thanks.
能再来一杯水吗？
Néng zài lái yì bēi shuǐ ma?
Could I have another glass of water?