Visiting a Chinese Friend’s Home: Simple Etiquette and Useful Phrases
Visiting a friend or colleague’s home is an important social activity in China, full of unique cultural etiquette. Knowing the right words and manners will help you fit in quickly and leave a good impression. Have you seen these must-know words and phrases for being a guest?
Key Vocabulary
- 做客 (zuò kè): visit someone's home as a guest
- 礼物 (lǐ wù): gift/present
- 敲门 (qiāo mén): knock on the door
- 请进 (qǐng jìn): please come in
- 拖鞋 (tuō xié): slippers
- 喝茶 (hē chá): drink tea
- 水果 (shuǐ guǒ): fruit
- 饭菜 (fàn cài): meal/dishes
- 好吃 (hǎo chī): delicious/tasty
- 谢谢 (xiè xie): thank you
- 不客气 (bú kè qì): you're welcome
- 打扰 (dǎ rǎo): disturb
- 再见 (zài jiàn): goodbye
- 慢走 (màn zǒu): take care (when seeing someone off)
- 招待 (zhāo dài): receive/entertain guests
Core Sentences
Before Visiting
- 我明天下午可以去你家做客吗？
wǒ míng tiān xià wǔ kěyǐ qù nǐ jiā zuò kè ma?
Can I visit your home tomorrow afternoon? - 大概几点到合适呢？
dà gài jǐ diǎn dào héshì ne?
What time is suitable to arrive?
When Entering
- 打扰了！
dǎ rǎo le!
Excuse me for disturbing you! - 你家真干净/漂亮！
nǐ jiā zhēn gān jìng/piào liang!
Your home is so clean/beautiful! - 需要换拖鞋吗？
xū yào huàn tuō xié ma?
Do I need to change into slippers? - 我带了一点小礼物，希望你喜欢。
wǒ dài le yì diǎn xiǎo lǐ wù, xī wàng nǐ xǐ huān.
I brought a small gift, hope you like it.
During the Visit
- 这茶真好喝，谢谢！
zhè bēi chá zhēn hǎo hē, xiè xie!
This tea is really delicious, thank you! - 这些菜太好吃了，你厨艺真棒！
zhè xiē cài tài hǎo chī le, nǐ chú yì zhēn bàng!
These dishes are so tasty, your cooking is amazing! - 我可以再吃一点吗？
wǒ kě yǐ zài chī yì diǎn ma?
Can I have a little more? - 别客气，我自己来。
bié kè qi, wǒ zì jǐ lái.
Don’t worry about me, I’ll help myself. (Say this if the host is being very attentive.) - 我吃饱了。
wǒ chī bǎo le.
I’m full. (Say this when you have finished eating.)
When Leaving
- 今天谢谢你的招待，我玩得很开心！
jīn tiān xiè xie nǐ de zhāo dài, wǒ wán de hěn kāi xīn!
Thank you for your hospitality today, I had a great time! - 给你添麻烦了。
gěi nǐ tiān má fan le.
Sorry for troubling you. - 再见，有空我再来看你！
zài jiàn, yǒu kōng wǒ zài lái kàn nǐ!
Goodbye, I’ll come to see you when I’m free!
Sample Dialogue
Scenario: Xiao Li invites his friend Mark to visit his home.
Xiao Li: 马克，周末有空吗？来我家做客吧！
mǎ kè, zhōu mò yǒu kōng ma? lái wǒ jiā zuò kè ba!
Mark, are you free this weekend? Come visit my home!
Mark: 当然有空！太感谢了！我周六下午过去可以吗？
dāng rán yǒu kōng! tài gǎn xiè le! wǒ zhōu liù xià wǔ guò qù kě yǐ ma?
Of course I’m free! Thank you so much! Is it okay if I come on Saturday afternoon?
Xiao Li: 可以呀，下午3点左右来就行。
kě yǐ ya, xià wǔ sān diǎn zuǒ yòu lái jiù xíng.
Sure, just come around 3pm.
(Saturday afternoon, Mark arrives at Xiao Li’s door.)
Mark: （咚咚咚）小李，我到了！
(dōng dōng dōng) xiǎo lǐ, wǒ dào le!
(Knock knock) Xiao Li, I’m here!
Xiao Li: 来啦！请进请进！
lái la! qǐng jìn qǐng jìn!
You’re here! Please come in!
Mark: 打扰了，这是给你的水果。
dǎ rǎo le, zhè shì gěi nǐ de shuǐ guǒ.
Sorry to bother you, this is some fruit for you.
Xiao Li: 太客气了，快进来坐！换一下拖鞋吧，鞋柜在这边。
tài kè qì le, kuài jìn lái zuò! huàn yí xià tuō xié ba, xié guì zài zhè biān.
You’re too polite, come in and have a seat! Change into slippers, the shoe cabinet is here.
Mark: 好的，谢谢。你家真温馨啊！
hǎo de, xiè xie. nǐ jiā zhēn wēn xīn a!
Okay, thank you. Your home is so cozy!
Xiao Li: 谢谢！喝点什么？茶还是果汁？
xiè xie! hē diǎn shén me? chá hái shi guǒ zhī?
Thank you! Would you like something to drink? Tea or juice?
Mark: 喝茶就好，谢谢！
hē chá jiù hǎo, xiè xie!
Tea is fine, thank you!
(During the meal)
Xiao Li: 马克，尝尝这个鱼，是我自己做的。
mǎ kè, cháng chang zhè ge yú, shì wǒ zì jǐ zuò de.
Mark, try this fish, I made it myself.
Mark: 好！哇，太好吃了！你的厨艺真好！
hǎo! wa, tài hǎo chī le! nǐ de chú yì zhēn hǎo!
Sure! Wow, it’s so delicious! Your cooking is really good!
Xiao Li: 喜欢就多吃点，饭菜管够。
xǐ huān jiù duō chī diǎn, fàn cài guǎn gòu.
If you like it, eat more. There’s plenty of food.
Mark: 好，一定！
hǎo, yí dìng!
Okay, I will!
(When leaving)
Mark: 小李，今天真的太感谢你的招待了，我过得很开心！
xiǎo lǐ, jīn tiān zhēn de tài gǎn xiè nǐ de zhāo dài le, wǒ guò de hěn kāi xīn!
Xiao Li, thank you so much for your hospitality today, I had a great time!
Xiao Li: 不用谢，我也很开心！慢走啊，有空常来！
bú yòng xiè, wǒ yě hěn kāi xīn! màn zǒu a, yǒu kōng cháng lái!
No need to thank me, I’m happy too! Take care, come again when you have time!
Mark: 好的，再见！
hǎo de, zài jiàn!
Okay, goodbye!
Xiao Li: 再见！
zài jiàn!
Goodbye!
Tips
- When visiting, it’s common to bring a small gift (like fruit, tea, or snacks). It doesn’t have to be expensive—just a nice gesture.
- After entering, it’s polite to ask if you should change into slippers.
- Complimenting the host’s home or cooking will make them very happy.
- Remember to thank your host for their hospitality before you leave. This is basic etiquette!
- With these phrases and tips, you’ll feel more confident and make a great impression when visiting Chinese friends!