
Flirting at the bar: Buy them a drink after asking for their permission.
Get Full LessonPractice pronunciation and master this lesson with smart-repetition via the PrettyFluent App
Key Phrases
我可以给你买一杯饮料吗?
wǒ kě yǐ gěi nǐ mǎi yī bēi yǐn liào ma
Can I buy you a drink?
你喜欢喝什么?
nǐ xǐ huān hē shén me
What do you like to drink?
你来这里经常吗?
nǐ lái zhè lǐ jīng cháng ma
Do you come here often?
Skills You'll Learn
Ordering drinks in Chinese
用中文点饮料
yòng zhōng wén diǎn yǐn liào
Discussing preferences
讨论喜好
tǎo lùn xǐ hào
Engaging in small talk
进行闲聊
jìn xíng xián liáo
Lesson Roleplay
Imagine you are at a bar in China, initiating a friendly conversation by offering a drink to someone you just met. The two of you start chatting about your favorite drinks and share a bit about your professions, enjoying the welcoming atmosphere.
嗨,你好!我可以给你买一杯饮料吗?
hāi nǐ hǎo wǒ kě yǐ gěi nǐ mǎi yī bēi yǐn liào ma
Hi, hello! Can I buy you a drink?
你好!好的,谢谢。
nǐ hǎo hǎo de xiè xiè
Hello! Sure, thank you.
你喜欢喝什么?
nǐ xǐ huān hē shén me
What do you like to drink?
我喜欢鸡尾酒。你呢?
wǒ xǐ huān jī wěi jiǔ nǐ ne
I like cocktails. How about you?
我也是。我经常喝摩天大楼。
wǒ yě shì wǒ jīng cháng hē mó tiān dà lóu
Me too. I often drink skyscrapers.
Lesson Vocabulary & Phrases
嗨
hāi
Hi
你好
nǐ hǎo
Hello
嗨,你好!
hāi nǐ hǎo
Hi, hello!
我可以
wǒ kě yǐ
Can I
💬 [可以] means "can / may" here, and [我可以…吗?] is a very reusable polite pattern for asking permission. Swap in another action: [我可以坐这里吗?] "Can I sit here?"
See breakdown →给你买
gěi nǐ mǎi
Buy for you
💬 [给你买] is literally "buy for you": [给] often marks who receives the action. You can reuse the pattern with other verbs, like [给你点] "order for you" or [给你拿] "get for you".
See breakdown →一杯饮料
yī bēi yǐn liào
A drink
💬 [一杯] is "one cup/glass," where [杯] is the counting word for drinks. The pattern is number + measure word + noun: [一杯咖啡], [两杯啤酒].
See breakdown →吗
ma
Question particle
💬 Put [吗] at the end of a statement to turn it into a yes/no question: [你忙] becomes [你忙吗?]. You don't need to change the word order.
See breakdown →我可以给你买一杯饮料吗?
wǒ kě yǐ gěi nǐ mǎi yī bēi yǐn liào ma
Can I buy you a drink?
🇨🇳 This is a polite, low-pressure way to offer a drink in China because you're asking before acting. In a bar, that usually lands better than ordering first and handing it over.
See breakdown →好的
hǎo de
Okay
💬 [好的] is often more like "okay" or "sounds good" than a literal "good." You'll hear it a lot when someone agrees to a suggestion or offer.
See breakdown →Learn this vocabulary list the easy way
Get PrettyFluent for smart practice & lasting retention
More from "Flirting at the bar"
Similar Simplified Chinese Lessons

Suggest moving to a quieter spot in the bar to continue talking.
Flirting at the bar Part 2

Suggest moving to a quieter spot in the bar to continue talking.
Flirting at the bar Part 2 (Advanced)

Offer a genuine compliments about their style.
Flirting at the bar (Advanced)

Buy them a drink after asking for their permission.
Flirting at the bar (Advanced)

Use light teasing or playful jokes to build chemistry.
Flirting at the bar (Advanced)

Presenting simple gifts
Meeting the in laws again (Advanced)
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
What Learners Are Saying
“Shanghai business dinners require real Mandarin skills. This app’s scenario-based approach meant I could keep up with clients after just a month of practice.”
Ryan M., 36, Consultant
“Spent three months in Taiwan and this app was my lifeline. The tonal practice with real scenarios helped me sound less like a textbook and more like a person.”
Laura H., 28, Photographer
“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”
Alex M., 42, Software Engineer