xiǎofèi: 小费 - Tip, Gratuity

• Keywords: 小费, xiaofei, tip in Chinese, gratuity in China, tipping in China, do you tip in China, how to give a tip in Chinese, Chinese service charge, Chinese for tip
• Summary: 小费 (xiǎofèi) is the Chinese word for a “tip” or “gratuity.” However, the culture of tipping in mainland China is vastly different from the West. As a general rule, tipping is not expected or required in most situations, including restaurants, taxis, and hotels. This page explores the meaning of 小费, the cultural reasons behind the no-tipping norm, and the specific, modern exceptions where giving a small tip is becoming more acceptable, especially for tour guides and in high-end, tourist-focused establishments.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xiǎo fèi
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A small sum of money given to a worker for a service performed; a tip or gratuity.
• In a Nutshell: 小费 literally translates to “small fee.” It's the money you voluntarily give to a service worker, like a waiter or bellhop, to thank them for good service. But be aware: while the word exists, the practice is not a standard part of Chinese culture. You should not assume you need to leave a tip.

• 小 (xiǎo): This character means “small,” “little,” or “minor.” It's one of the most fundamental characters, often depicted as a central hook with two small lines, like small items scattered.
• 费 (fèi): This character means “fee,” “cost,” or “expense.” It's a combination of 弗 (a phonetic component) and 贝 (bèi), the character for “shell,” which was used as currency in ancient China. So, it's intrinsically linked to money and payment.

When combined, 小费 (xiǎofèi) creates the very literal and descriptive term “small fee,” perfectly capturing the idea of a tip being a small, extra payment beyond the main cost.

Traditionally, tipping has not been a custom in China and was often viewed negatively. In a socialist context, it could be seen as a form of bribery or a practice that created an unequal relationship. There was also a sense of professional pride; a worker's salary was paid by their employer, and the price of a service was all-inclusive. Accepting a tip could imply that the worker was underpaid or needed charity, which could be seen as an insult. This contrasts sharply with American culture, where tipping is an ingrained social and economic expectation, often forming the bulk of a service worker's income. In China, the listed price is the final price. There is no social pressure or obligation to pay more. While globalization and an increase in foreign tourism have introduced the concept, the default mindset for most Chinese people in most situations is still “we don't tip here.” Trying to tip can sometimes lead to confusion or polite refusal.

The cardinal rule is: when in doubt, don't tip. However, the practice is slowly finding a place in very specific contexts.

• General Restaurants, Taxis, and Shops: No tip is expected. Ever. A taxi driver will give you exact change and may be confused if you tell them to keep it.
• Tour Guides & Private Drivers: This is the most common exception. For multi-day private tours, especially those catering to foreigners, a tip for the guide and driver is often appreciated and sometimes expected as a sign of gratitude for their hard work.
• High-End Hotels: In 5-star international hotel chains (e.g., Marriott, Hyatt) in major cities like Shanghai or Beijing, you might consider tipping the bellhop who carries your bags (e.g., 10-20 RMB) or the concierge for exceptional service. It is still not mandatory.
• Food Delivery (外卖 - wàimài): You do not tip delivery drivers. However, on the app, there is sometimes an option to give them a digital 红包 (hóngbāo) - a small “red envelope” gift. People might do this during extreme weather (typhoons, heavy snow) as a gesture of thanks, but it's a gift, not an expected tip.
• Service Charge (服务费 - fúwùfèi): Be careful not to confuse 小费 with 服务费 (fúwùfèi). Many upscale restaurants and hotels will automatically add a 10-15% “service charge” to the bill. This is not a tip that goes directly to the staff; it is a mandatory fee kept by the establishment. If a service charge is on the bill, you absolutely should not leave an additional tip.

• Example 1:
  • 在中国，我们一般不给小费。
  • Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó, wǒmen yībān bù gěi xiǎofèi.
  • English: In China, we generally don't give tips.
  • Analysis: This is a key phrase to remember. “一般” (yībān) means “generally” or “normally,” correctly reflecting that it's a rule with very few exceptions.
• Example 2:
  • 我应该给导游多少小费？
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yīnggāi gěi dǎoyóu duōshǎo xiǎofèi?
  • English: How much of a tip should I give the tour guide?
  • Analysis: This is a practical question a tourist might ask. Notice the structure “给 (gěi) + [Person] + 小费 (xiǎofèi)” which means “to give a tip to [Person]”.
• Example 3:
  • 服务很好，我们留下一点小费吧。
  • Pinyin: Fúwù hěn hǎo, wǒmen liúxià yīdiǎn xiǎofèi ba.
  • English: The service was great, let's leave a little tip.
  • Analysis: “留下” (liúxià) means “to leave behind.” This is what you would say to your companion when deciding to leave some cash on the table. The “吧” (ba) particle makes it a suggestion.
• Example 4:
  • 账单里包括小费了吗？
  • Pinyin: Zhàngdān lǐ bāokuò xiǎofèi le ma?
  • English: Does the bill include the tip?
  • Analysis: This is a common but often mistaken question for a foreigner to ask. The correct term for an included charge would be “服务费” (fúwùfèi). A local would understand what you mean, though.
• Example 5:
  • 不用给小费，谢谢！
  • Pinyin: Búyòng gěi xiǎofèi, xièxie!
  • English: No need to give a tip, thank you!
  • Analysis: This is a very common and polite refusal you might hear from a service worker if you try to tip them. “不用” (búyòng) is a softer way of saying “don't.”
• Example 6:
  • 在美国，服务员的收入很多都来自小费。
  • Pinyin: Zài Měiguó, fúwùyuán de shōurù hěnduō dōu láizì xiǎofèi.
  • English: In the United States, a lot of a waiter's income comes from tips.
  • Analysis: This sentence is great for explaining the cultural difference. “来自” (láizì) means “to come from.”
• Example 7:
  • 他给了酒店的行李员二十块钱小费。
  • Pinyin: Tā gěile jiǔdiàn de xíngliyuán èrshí kuài qián xiǎofèi.
  • English: He gave the hotel bellboy a 20 yuan tip.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how to specify the amount. You can say the amount followed by “块钱 (kuài qián) 小费 (xiǎofèi)”.
• Example 8:
  • 如果你对司机很满意，可以给他一点小费表示感谢。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ duì sījī hěn mǎnyì, kěyǐ gěi tā yīdiǎn xiǎofèi biǎoshì gǎnxiè.
  • English: If you are very satisfied with the driver, you can give him a small tip to express your thanks.
  • Analysis: This highlights the motivation for tipping when it *is* done: as a sign of satisfaction “满意 (mǎnyì)” and to express thanks “表示感谢 (biǎoshì gǎnxiè)”.
• Example 9:
  • 这家餐厅不收小费。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā cāntīng bù shōu xiǎofèi.
  • English: This restaurant doesn't accept tips.
  • Analysis: “收” (shōu) means “to receive” or “to accept.” Some establishments might even have a sign stating this.
• Example 10:
  • 除了导游，在中国大部分情况都不需要给小费。
  • Pinyin: Chúle dǎoyóu, zài Zhōngguó dàbùfen qíngkuàng dōu bù xūyào gěi xiǎofèi.
  • English: Except for tour guides, you don't need to give a tip in most situations in China.
  • Analysis: “除了…都…” (chúle…dōu…) is a useful structure for “except for…all…”. “大部分情况” (dàbùfen qíngkuàng) means “in most situations.” This sentence neatly summarizes the modern rule.

• Mistake: Assuming tipping is normal. The biggest mistake is applying Western tipping habits in China. Trying to tip a taxi driver or a small restaurant owner will, at best, cause confusion and, at worst, be seen as slightly odd or even offensive. They may chase you down to return the money you “forgot.”
• “False Friend”: 小费 (xiǎofèi) vs. 服务费 (fúwùfèi).
  • 小费 (xiǎofèi): A voluntary tip given by the customer directly to the worker. It is rare.
  • 服务费 (fúwùfèi): A mandatory “service charge” (usually 10-16%) added to the bill by the establishment (common in high-end hotels and restaurants). This money does not go directly to your server. It is part of the restaurant's revenue. If you see a 服务费 on your bill, there is absolutely no reason to add a 小费.
• Incorrect Usage Example:
  • A foreigner finishes a taxi ride in a second-tier city. The fare is 18 RMB. He gives the driver a 20 RMB note and says: “不用找了!” (Búyòng zhǎo le! - “Keep the change!”).
  • Why it's wrong: The driver will most likely be confused, insist on giving the 2 RMB back, or think the foreigner doesn't understand Chinese currency. This interaction is awkward because tipping taxi drivers is not a custom. The polite and normal action is to wait for the exact change.

• 服务费 (fúwùfèi) - Service charge. A mandatory fee added by an establishment, unlike the voluntary 小费.
• 打赏 (dǎshǎng) - To reward or “tip,” but used almost exclusively for digital content like live streams, online articles, or podcasts. This is the modern, digital evolution of tipping.
• 红包 (hóngbāo) - Red envelope. A traditional monetary gift. Digitally, it can be used on apps like WeChat or food delivery platforms to give a small gift of appreciation, functioning like a tip.
• 导游 (dǎoyóu) - Tour guide. One of the few professions where a 小费 from a foreign tour group is becoming common.
• 账单 (zhàngdān) - The bill/check. What you review to see if a 服务费 (fúwùfèi) has already been included.
• 买单 (mǎidān) - To pay the bill. (e.g., “服务员，买单!” - “Waiter, the check!”).
• 不用 (búyòng) - “No need.” A common and polite way to refuse a tip.
• 谢谢 (xièxie) - Thank you. The best way to show appreciation in almost all service situations instead of giving a tip.
• 包括 (bāokuò) - To include. Used to ask if a charge is included in the bill.