How do you say "It's my treat" in Chinese?

"It's my treat" in Chinese is 我请客。 — written in pinyin as Wǒ qǐngkè. It is a money phrase you would use in China.

What does 我请客。 mean in Chinese?

我请客。 (Wǒ qǐngkè) means "It's my treat". Broken down word by word: 我 (wǒ) means "I / me"; 请客 (qǐngkè) means "to treat someone".

When would you use "It's my treat" in Chinese?

When you are the one paying for everyone — a meal, a round of drinks, or the shared taxi at the end of the night. Say it as you sit down or reach for the menu, because the offer to host is a claim you stake early rather than an answer you give when the bill arrives.

How to say “It's my treat” in Chinese

“It's my treat” in Chinese is 我请客。, written in pinyin as Wǒ qǐngkè.

我请客。

Wǒ qǐngkè.

It's my treat.

Word by word

What each part of 我请客。 actually means.

我wǒI / me
请客qǐngkèto treat someone

When you use it

When you are the one paying for everyone — a meal, a round of drinks, or the shared taxi at the end of the night.
Say it as you sit down or reach for the menu, because the offer to host is a claim you stake early rather than an answer you give when the bill arrives.

Use 我请客。 in money situations. Pay like a local: QR codes, Alipay, WeChat Pay, cash and cards.

Other ways people say it

The same idea, said differently. Roughly in the order you'll hear them.

这顿我请。
Zhè dùn wǒ qǐng
This meal is on me.
顿 is the measure word for meals, so 这顿 pins the treat to this one sitting rather than to a general habit.
这顿算我的。
Zhè dùn suàn wǒ de
This one counts as mine.
算我的 claims the cost without the formal ring of 请客, which is useful when the other person is already reaching for their wallet.
别客气，我请。
Bié kèqi, wǒ qǐng
Don't stand on ceremony, it's on me.
别客气 is what you say when somebody pushes back. 我请 is 我请客 shortened, which is how it comes out in speech.

What usually trips people up

请客 is to host, not simply to pay. It carries the idea that you invited them, so announcing it after somebody else picked the restaurant can sound like you are taking over their occasion.
The first offer is usually waved away. Refusing once is the polite move rather than a real no, so 我请客 expects a second or third round before it settles — stopping after one refusal reads as not meaning it.
Do not translate 'split the bill' as 分钱. 分钱 is dividing money in general and can sound like haggling; 各付各的 or AA制 is the phrase for going Dutch.

What you might hear back

那怎么行！Nà zěnme xíng!I can't let you do that!
下次我请。Xià cì wǒ qǐngNext time it's on me.
行，那谢谢了。Xíng, nà xièxie leAlright, thank you then.

Common questions

How do you say "It's my treat" in Chinese?: "It's my treat" in Chinese is 我请客。 — written in pinyin as Wǒ qǐngkè. It is a money phrase you would use in China.
What does 我请客。 mean in Chinese?: 我请客。 (Wǒ qǐngkè) means "It's my treat". Broken down word by word: 我 (wǒ) means "I / me"; 请客 (qǐngkè) means "to treat someone".
When would you use "It's my treat" in Chinese?: When you are the one paying for everyone — a meal, a round of drinks, or the shared taxi at the end of the night. Say it as you sit down or reach for the menu, because the offer to host is a claim you stake early rather than an answer you give when the bill arrives.

More Money phrases

Learn all 17 Money phrases

Start learning