Chinese word

小费

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiǎo fèi

Meaning

  • nountip

Example

这家店要不要给小费？zhè jiā diàn yào bú yào gěi xiǎo fèi

Should you leave a tip at this place?

Illustration for 小费 (tip)

More examples

不少顾客习惯在服务好时给小费。bù shǎo gù kè xí guàn zài fú wù hǎo shí gěi xiǎo fèi

Many customers are used to giving a tip when the service is good.

Core concept

A modest extra amount that passes from a customer to service staff as recognition for helpful service.

Common phrases

  • 给小费gěi xiǎo fèi

    give a tip

  • 留下小费liú xià xiǎo fèi

    leave a tip

  • 收取小费shōu qǔ xiǎo fèi

    collect tips

Similar words

服务费fú wù fèi: A service charge that a business sets and may include on the bill.
报酬bào chóu: Payment received for work or labor.

Definition in Chinese

在服务行业中，顾客自愿给服务人员的额外报酬，金额一般较小，以表示谢意或奖励服务质量。zài fú wù háng yè zhōng gù kè zì yuàn gěi fú wù rén yuán de é wài bào chóu jīn é yì bān jiào xiǎo yǐ biǎo shì xiè yì huò jiǎng lì fú wù zhì liàng

Word origin

The compound 小 (xiǎo, "small") + 费 (fèi, "expense") frames this payment as a minor expense beyond the normal price.

Usage tips

  • Chinese distinguishes a charge set by the business from a voluntary extra amount, so checking the bill prevents treating both payments as the same.

Word lists with this word