小
费

About

The word 小费 (xiǎofèi), meaning "tip", is formed by combining the character 小 (xiǎo), meaning "small", with the character 费 (fèi), meaning "fee" or "expense". It is constructed conceptually to denote a small, extra payment given voluntarily in appreciation for a service, on top of the main price. The term directly reflects the nature of the payment as a minor additional cost.

Example Sentences Hide

我给了服务员小费。

Wǒ gěile fúwùyuán xiǎofèi.

I gave the waiter a tip.

在餐厅吃饭后，我留下了小费。

Zài cāntīng chīfàn hòu, wǒ liúxiàle xiǎofèi.

After eating at the restaurant, I left a tip.

小费通常占总账单的百分之十到二十。

Xiǎofèi tōngcháng zhàn zǒng zhàngdān de bǎi fēn zhī shí dào èrshí.

Tips usually account for ten to twenty percent of the total bill.

如果你对服务满意，就应该给服务员小费。

Rúguǒ nǐ duì fúwù mǎnyì, jiù yīnggāi gěi fúwùyuán xiǎofèi.

If you are satisfied with the service, you should tip the waiter.

尽管有些国家不习惯给小费，但在美国这是一种常见的礼仪。

Jǐnguǎn yǒuxiē guójiā bù xíguàn gěi xiǎofèi, dàn zài Měiguó zhè shì yī zhǒng chángjiàn de lǐyí.

Although some countries are not accustomed to giving tips, in the United States, this is a common etiquette.

Word Definition - 小费

xiǎo fèi tip; gratuity

Individual Character Details

小 xiǎo
费 fèi, fèi