Chinese word

单

Pronunciation

Pinyindān

Meaning

  • nouncheck

Example

服务员把单拿来了。fú wù yuán bǎ dān ná lái le

The waiter brought the check.

Illustration for 单 (check)

More examples

请在这张单上签名。qǐng zài zhè zhāng dān shàng qiān míng

Please sign this check.

Core concept

One sheet that turns a spoken request or purchase into an ordered list and, when needed, a bill.

Common phrases

  • 填单tián dān

    fill out a slip

  • 交单jiāo dān

    submit a slip

  • 单据dān jù

    receipt

Similar words

单子dān zi: A brief paper or note from a shop stating its contents or purpose.
菜单cài dān: A list of the dishes and prices offered by a restaurant.
账单zhàng dān: A bill showing what must be paid and how the total is calculated.
收据shōu jù: A document confirming that a payment has been received.

Definition in Chinese

指用来把要买或要做的事项逐条列出的表单或票据，一张单通常记录商品、数量或金额，既可指点菜的单据也可指结账的账单。zhǐ yòng lái bǎ yào mǎi huò yào zuò de shì xiàng zhú tiáo liè chū de biǎo dān huò piào jù yì zhāng dān tōng cháng jì lù shāng pǐn shù liàng huò jīn é jì kě zhí diǎn cài de dān jù yě kě zhǐ jié zhàng de zhàng dān

Word origin

The word 单 (dān, "one; itemized transaction sheet") connects the sense of a single unit with a document that lists each part of a transaction.

Usage tips

  • English often separates the restaurant order from the bill, but Chinese can use one noun for both records, with the surrounding situation showing whether food has been requested or payment is due.

Other meanings

  • ordernoun
  • listnoun
  • onenumber

Related words

Word lists with this word