多放点儿...

Just say 多放点儿 followed by the thing you want more of. It’s like a magic wand for your taste buds. Want more chili? Say 多放点儿辣. Want more sugar? Say 多放点儿糖. It’s incredibly flexible and works with almost any noun that can be added or poured.

You’ll use this most often at restaurants or street food stalls. It’s perfect for telling the chef exactly how you like your noodles. You can also use it at home when someone is cooking for you. It’s a very active, practical phrase for daily survival in China.

Don't use this for abstract concepts like 'love' or 'time' in a serious way. It’s mostly for physical things you can actually 'put' into something. Also, avoid using it with a boss unless you’re actually cooking together. It can sound a bit like a command if your tone is too sharp.

In Chinese food culture, customization is king. Street vendors expect you to have specific preferences. Asking for 'more' of something isn't seen as being picky. It’s seen as knowing what you like! It reflects a culture that values flavor and personal touch in every meal.

You can swap 多 (more) for 少 (less) to get 少放点儿. If you want to be more polite, add 请 (please) at the start. In Southern China, people often drop the 儿 sound at the end. They just say 多放点. Both versions mean exactly the same thing!