Direct answer
中文 · Mandarin Chinese with pinyin and simple pronunciation help.
请给我一杯水
Romanization
Qing gei wo yi bei shui
Pronunciation
ching gay woh ee bay shway
Restaurant · Chinese
How to say “water please” in Chinese
Learn how to say "water please" in Chinese: 请给我一杯水 (Qing gei wo yi bei shui), with pronunciation, usage notes, examples, and related phrases.
polite
When to use it
Use it with restaurant staff. Keep the delivery short, polite, and clear, especially in busy service settings. 请给我一杯水 is a polite Mandarin request for a glass of water. In restaurants, it is clearer than only saying water.
Examples
请给我一杯水。
Water, please.
水，谢谢。
Water, thanks.
Common mistakes
Do not translate "water please" word by word; use the full Chinese phrase as a unit.
Use romanization as a pronunciation hint, not as the normal written form.
Check the tone before using it: this version is marked polite.
FAQ
How do you say "water please" in Chinese?
Say 请给我一杯水. The romanization is Qing gei wo yi bei shui, and the pronunciation is ching gay woh ee bay shway.
Is 请给我一杯水 formal or casual?
This version is marked polite. 请给我一杯水 is a polite Mandarin request for a glass of water. In restaurants, it is clearer than only saying water.
When should I use "water please" in Chinese?
Use it with restaurant staff. Keep the delivery short, polite, and clear, especially in busy service settings. 请给我一杯水 is a polite Mandarin request for a glass of water. In restaurants, it is clearer than only saying water.