First dates in Chinese 第一次约会
dìyīcì yuēhuì
Date in Chinese is 约会 (yuē huì).
Also searched for as: first date, date night, going on a date, asking someone out, go out with.
Butterflies, small talk and who pays the bill. 15 essential first dates words in Mandarin Chinese, with pinyin and English. Open it in the app to hear each word, tick off the ones you know and turn them into flashcards.
A first date in Chinese is 第一次约会 (dì yī cì yuē huì), and the word 约 (yuē) on its own is how you ask someone out. The vocabulary covers the nerves, 紧张 (jǐn zhāng), the dreaded 冷场 (lěng chǎng) when conversation dries up, and the eternal question of who pays: does one person 买单 (mǎi dān), or do you go AA制 (A A zhì) and split the bill?
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 约会 | yuē huì | date; to go on a date |
| 约 | yuē | to ask out |
| 看电影 | kàn diàn yǐng | to see a film |
| 烛光晚餐 | zhú guāng wǎn cān | candlelit dinner |
| AA制 | A A zhì | to split the bill |
| 买单 | mǎi dān | to pay the bill |
| 紧张 | jǐn zhāng | nervous |
| 冷场 | lěng chǎng | awkward silence |
| 打扮 | dǎ ban | to dress up; to get ready |
| 迟到 | chí dào | to be late |
| 送你回家 | sòng nǐ huí jiā | to take you home |
| 牵手 | qiān shǒu | to hold hands |
| 第一印象 | dì yī yìn xiàng | first impression |
| 有感觉 | yǒu gǎn jué | to feel something (for someone) |
| 第二次约会 | dì èr cì yuē huì | second date |
Usage tips
- Customs vary, but on a first date it's common for one person, often whoever asked, to offer to 买单 (mǎi dān). Suggesting AA制 (A A zhì) is fine, though some people find it a little unromantic the first time.
- 约 (yuē) is a handy verb for making plans: 约她出去 (yuē tā chū qù), "ask her out", or 我们约个时间 (wǒ men yuē ge shí jiān), "let's set a time". 约会 (yuē huì) is usually romantic, so use 见面 (jiàn miàn) for meeting a friend.
- Offering 我送你回家 (wǒ sòng nǐ huí jiā), "let me take you home", is a polite gesture rather than a hint. It's usually about making sure the other person gets back safely.
Common mistakes
- Learners use 约会 (yuē huì) for any appointment, but it suggests a romantic date. For a doctor's or business appointment, use 预约 (yù yuē).
- Saying 我付钱 (wǒ fù qián) at the table is correct but sounds blunt and transactional. The natural way to offer is 这顿我请 (zhè dùn wǒ qǐng), "this meal's on me", or 我来买单 (wǒ lái mǎi dān).
Mini dialogue
- A今天的约会怎么样？Jīn tiān de yuē huì zěn me yàng?How did today's date go?
- B一开始我特别紧张，还有点冷场。Yī kāi shǐ wǒ tè bié jǐn zhāng, hái yǒu diǎn lěng chǎng.I was really nervous at first, and there were a few awkward silences.
- A后来呢？谁买的单？Hòu lái ne? Shéi mǎi de dān?And after that? Who paid?
- B他说要买单，我说AA制吧。最后他送我回家了。Tā shuō yào mǎi dān, wǒ shuō A A zhì ba. Zuì hòu tā sòng wǒ huí jiā le.He wanted to pay, I suggested splitting it. In the end he took me home.
- A听起来不错，会有第二次约会吗？Tīng qǐ lái bù cuò, huì yǒu dì èr cì yuē huì ma?Sounds good. Will there be a second date?
Example sentences
- 我们周六第一次约会。We're going on our first date on Saturday.
- 我想约她出去吃饭。I want to ask her out to dinner.
- 第一次约会去看电影吧。Let's see a film for our first date.
- 他准备了烛光晚餐。He's arranged a candlelit dinner.
- 第一次约会要AA制吗？Should you split the bill on a first date?
- 这次我来买单。This one's on me.
- 第一次约会我特别紧张。I was really nervous on our first date.
- 聊着聊着突然冷场了。We were chatting and then it suddenly went quiet.
- 她为了约会打扮了两个小时。She spent two hours getting ready for the date.
- 第一次约会千万别迟到。Whatever you do, don't be late for a first date.
- 太晚了，我送你回家吧。It's late, let me take you home.
- 我们第一次约会就牵手了。We held hands on our first date.
- 你对他的第一印象怎么样？What was your first impression of him?
- 约完会，你对他有感觉吗？After the date, do you feel anything for him?
- 有没有第二次约会，就看今天了。Whether there's a second date all depends on today.
Practise speaking
Ready to use these words? The First dates speaking island has 8 everyday questions about first dates to prepare your own answers to.