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March 24, 2026
服务员(服務員)fúwùyuán(fu2wu4yuan2)
服务员 refers to a waiter, waitress, or attendant who provides service in restaurants, cafes, or other customer service settings. It indicates someone whose job is to assist customers, take orders, and ensure a pleasant experience. This term is widely used in both formal and informal contexts related to dining and service industries.
Frequency#4493DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, dining out often involves attentive service, and the relationship between customers and 服务员 can reflect the importance of hospitality. Tipping is less common in China than in many Western countries, with good service expected without extra gratuities.
Memory Tip
Think of the character 服务员 as a 'service person.' The radical 服务 (fúwù) means 'to serve,' while 员 (yuán) implies 'personnel.' Visualize a friendly server bringing you food, emphasizing the 'service' aspect in both the form and function of the character.
Meanings of 服务员
fúwùyuán(fu2wu4yuan2)
1waiter
2waitress
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About 服务员
服务员Simplified
服務員Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4493Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L2TOCFLL3HSKKL1BCT✓CEFRA1
Podcast: 服务员
Podcast: 服务员
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AI Study Notes for 服务员
Quick Contrast
餐厅服务员 (cāntīng fúwùyuán) refers specifically to a waiter or waitress in a restaurant setting, while 服务员 (fúwùyuán) can refer to attendants in various service contexts, making it more general.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of the character 服务员 as a 'service person.' The radical 服务 (fúwù) means 'to serve,' while 员 (yuán) implies 'personnel.' Visualize a friendly server bringing you food, emphasizing the 'service' aspect in both the form and function of the character.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 服务员, as incorrect tones can change the meaning entirely. In informal settings, you might hear just '服务' (fúwù) to refer to the service aspect without specifying the attendant. Common collocations include '餐厅服务员' (cāntīng fúwùyuán) for restaurant waiter/waitress.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 服务员 connects well with other service-related vocabulary, such as 点菜 (diǎncài - to order food) and 餐厅 (cāntīng - restaurant). Focus on practicing its pronunciation and usage in sentences related to dining experiences.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, dining out often involves attentive service, and the relationship between customers and 服务员 can reflect the importance of hospitality. Tipping is less common in China than in many Western countries, with good service expected without extra gratuities.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the pronunciation of 服务员 with other service-related words, leading to misunderstandings. For example, saying '服务员' with incorrect tones might lead to a completely different word. Always practice the correct tones: fú (2nd tone) wù (4th tone) yuán (2nd tone).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 服务员
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Grammar Patterns of 服务员
服务员 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The waitress approached Picone with a cordless phone.
8
我要让女服务员拿账单来。
wǒ yào ràng nǚ fú wù yuán ná zhàng dān lái。
I'll ask the waitress for the bill.
9
那位女服务员已开始打扫房间.
nà wèi nǚ fú wù yuán yǐ kāi shǐ dǎ sǎo fáng jiān.
The girl attendant has set about cleaning the room.
10
她请女服务员照顾他.
tā qǐng nǚ fú wù yuán zhào gù tā.
She asked the chambermaid to take care of him.
Cultural Notes for 服务员
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, dining out often involves attentive service, and the relationship between customers and 服务员 can reflect the importance of hospitality. Tipping is less common in China than in many Western countries, with good service expected without extra gratuities.
Frequently Asked Questions about 服务员
While both refer to service personnel, 服务员 is more commonly used in everyday contexts, especially in restaurants, whereas 侍者 (shìzhě) can be more formal or literary.
Yes, 服务员 is a gender-neutral term and can refer to both male and female waitstaff.
In a restaurant, you can simply call them '服务员' or say '请问' (qǐngwèn - excuse me) to get their attention politely.
