The whole order in one line
This is all you need at most counters:
我要一杯珍珠奶茶，半糖少冰。
Wǒ yào yì bēi zhēnzhū nǎichá, bàntáng shǎobīng. I'd like a pearl milk tea, half sugar, less ice.
一 (one) is usually said yī, but before a first-tone word like 杯 it changes to yì. You'll hear Lin do it.
The drink
Menus often also list 紅茶 (hóngchá, black tea), 綠茶 (lǜchá, green tea), 烏龍茶 (wūlóngchá, oolong) and 鮮奶茶 (xiānnǎichá, tea made with fresh milk). 波霸 (bōbà) on a menu means bigger pearls.
Sugar: 甜度
The counter will ask for your sweetness, 甜度 (tiándù). Most shops use these steps; the exact amounts vary by shop.
There's also 少糖 (shǎotáng, less sugar), a step between full and half. In Taiwan 微 is said wéi, with a rising tone; mainland courses teach wēi.
Ice: 冰塊
Some shops add 微冰 (wéibīng, just a little ice). For a warm drink ask for 溫的 (wēn de, warm) or 熱的 (rè de, hot); not every drink can be made hot.
Size
Medium is 中杯 (zhōng bēi). Two of something is 兩 (liǎng), not 二 (èr), when it comes before a counting word like 杯.
What they'll ask you
You'll also hear 甜度冰塊呢？ (tiándù bīngkuài ne?, “sugar and ice?”) if you order without saying them, and 內用還是外帶？ (nèiyòng háishì wàidài?, “for here or to go?”) at shops with seats. Answer 外帶 (wàidài) for to go.
All together
| Who | Mandarin | English |
|---|---|---|
| Staff | 你好，要喝什麼？ | Hi, what would you like? |
| You | 我要一杯珍珠奶茶。 | A pearl milk tea, please. |
| Staff | 甜度冰塊呢？ | Sugar and ice? |
| You | 半糖少冰。 | Half sugar, less ice. |
| Staff | 要袋子嗎？ | Do you want a bag? |
| You | 不用，謝謝。多少錢？ | No thanks. How much is it? |
Bopomo's lessons are set at real counters like this one, and Lin answers what you actually say. Join the waitlist.
Questions
What does 半糖 mean?
半糖 (bàntáng) means half sugar: about half the usual sweetness, and a common choice if you find full sugar too sweet.
What's the difference between 少冰 and 去冰?
少冰 (shǎobīng) is less ice. 去冰 (qùbīng) is no ice, but the drink is still made cold.
What is bubble tea called in Taiwan?
珍珠奶茶 (zhēnzhū nǎichá), pearl milk tea. 波霸奶茶 (bōbà nǎichá) is the version with bigger pearls.
How do I say no sugar?
無糖 (wútáng). For a little sugar, say 微糖 (wéitáng).
Do I need to speak Mandarin to order bubble tea in Taiwan?
You can point at a menu, but the sugar and ice questions come fast. Knowing 半糖, 少冰 and 去冰 gets you exactly the drink you want.