How to Say “Table for two” in Chinese

Variants by register

When to use it

This is shorter than English and more natural; Chinese restaurants don't need the word 'table.' Just hold up two fingers and say 两位 (liǎng wèi). Note the critical grammar: you must say 两 (liǎng), not 二 (èr), when counting people or things with a measure word. 位 (wèi) is the polite measure word for people, much warmer than 个 (gè). The host will often reply 几位? (Jǐ wèi? 'How many?') as you walk in. At hot pot or dim sum places in Guangzhou and Hong Kong, you'll also hear 两个人 (liǎng ge rén); less formal but common.

Example sentences

• 你好，两位，有位子吗？

  Nǐ hǎo, liǎng wèi, yǒu wèizi ma?

  Hi, table for two; do you have space?

• 请问几位？三位，谢谢。

  Qǐngwèn jǐ wèi? Sān wèi, xièxie.

  How many people?; Three, thanks.

• 两位的话，大概要等十分钟。

  Liǎng wèi dehuà, dàgài yào děng shí fēnzhōng.

  For a party of two, you'll wait about ten minutes.