Restaurant

A bit!
In English, we have different ways to talk about a little bit of a thing or an action; for example, Wait just a minute or Take a (quick) look! In Chinese, it’s common to use 一下 (yíxià, a bit). Check it out!
请等一下。
(Qǐng děng yíxià.) Please wait a moment. (literally) Please wait a bit.
请看一下。
(Qǐng kàn yíxià.) Please take a look. (literally) Please look a bit.
How many?
When asking about smaller numbers use 几 (jǐ), which means How many? And don’t forget to use a measure word!
请问，几位？
(Qǐngwèn, jǐ wèi?) Excuse me, how many of you?
他们有几个孩子？
(Tāmen yǒu jǐ ge háizi?) How many children do they have?
How many of you?
位 (wèi) is used as a measure word instead of 个 (ge) when asking How many people? in a formal setting (for example, when you are greeted at a restaurant). Notice how 位 (wèi) is also repeated in the exchange below.
请问，几位？
(Qǐngwèn, jǐ wèi?) Excuse me, how many of you?
两位。
(Liǎng wèi.) Two.

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