Cool QR Menu in Chinese 🍊 The Mando Press
Today we’re breaking down this cool restaurant menu instruction sign I saw the other day. It directs you to use a QR code to make your meal order. Do you know what it says?
Step 1: Pre-test
Try to read the text above without any help. You may not understand much but do it anyways.
Pre-testing is scientifically shown to enhance memory by focusing your attention so you study more deeply. Students who pre-test learn significantly more compared to those who don’t, even if they feel like they “bomb” the pre-test.
This is a very important step, don’t skip it.
Step 2: Listen + Read
Listen to the audio file below and read along with the characters, pinyin, and translation. Look up any words you don’t understand (vocabulary list below).
Focus on hearing the correct tones/pronunciation for each character and shadow/repeat what you hear using the pinyin to help (scaffolding).
Repeat this step multiple times for best results.
Zhuō hào 11
桌号11
桌號11
Table number 11
Sǎomiáo ￫ diǎn cān ￫ jié zhàng
扫描 → 点餐 → 结帐
掃描 → 點餐 → 結帳
Scan → Order → Checkout
Rén kè zìjǐ diǎn, qīngsōng shěng shí diǎn
人客自己点，轻松省时点
人客自己點，輕鬆省時點
Customers order by themselves, easy and time-saving
* 省时点 is short for 省时间点餐 (save time ordering)
Xiànjīn fùkuǎn qǐng xiān zhì guìtái jié zhàng ó!
现金付款请先至柜台结帐哦！
現金付款請先至櫃檯結帳哦！
For cash payment, please go to the counter to check out first!
Vocabulary List
Step 3: Repetition + Retrieval
Most learners stop here, but they miss the most important step: repetition and active recall/retrieval (also scientifically shown to enhance memory).
Read the characters out loud without audio. Focus on getting the correct tones/pronunciation. Try not to look at the pinyin, but use it like training wheels if you forget.
Repeat until you don’t need to look at the pinyin.
Zhuō hào 11
桌号11
桌號11
Sǎomiáo ￫ diǎn cān ￫ jié zhàng
扫描 → 点餐 → 结帐
掃描 → 點餐 → 結帳
Rén kè zìjǐ diǎn, qīngsōng shěng shí diǎn
人客自己点，轻松省时点
人客自己點，輕鬆省時點
Xiànjīn fùkuǎn qǐng xiān zhì guìtái jié zhàng ó!
现金付款请先至柜台结帐哦！
現金付款請先至櫃檯結帳哦！
Step 4: Final “Test”
When you feel ready, re-read the original text below after completing the above exercises.
How does it feel? Do you feel more confident reading it?
Many Chinese learners lose motivation because study using ineffective methods. The system I use here is just one of the many ways I leverage the science of learning and real-world materials to get tangible results fast.
See you next week for another breakdown!
If this helped you, here are some other ways I can help you:
Speaking Course: The step-by-step system I used to start speaking with confidence and have conversations with natives. If you struggle with speaking, this is for you. Pre-order it for 50% off now before it launches.
The Language Learner OS: The all-in-one system I use to keep me organized, consistent, and motivated to learn languages fluently.
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