请喝茶。

Using this phrase is incredibly simple. You say it while physically serving the tea. Hold the cup with both hands to show extra respect. Place it gently in front of your guest. Look them in the eye and say 请喝茶. You do not need a long speech. The phrase does all the heavy lifting for you. Just make sure the tea isn't boiling hot when you hand it over!

Use it whenever someone enters your space. This applies to your home, your office, or even a shop. It is perfect for business meetings to break the ice. Use it when catching up with an old friend. It is also great for family gatherings. If you are the host, this phrase is your best friend. It makes you look polished and thoughtful without much effort.

Do not use this if you are the guest. That would be like inviting yourself to dinner! Also, avoid saying it if you aren't actually providing tea. If you are serving coffee or water, use 请喝水 (Please drink water) instead. Don't shout it from across the room. It is a quiet, intimate phrase meant for close proximity. If the atmosphere is very chaotic, wait for a calm moment to offer the tea.

Tea is the lifeblood of Chinese social interaction. For thousands of years, sharing tea has sealed deals and mended friendships. In the past, the quality of tea showed your status. Today, it is more about the spirit of the gesture. There is an old saying: "Treat the guest like a king." Serving tea is the primary way to fulfill that duty. It is a silent language of peace and mutual respect.

You can make it even more polite by adding 您 (the formal 'you'). Try saying 请您喝茶. If you want to be super casual with friends, just say 喝茶吧 (Drink some tea). If the tea is famous or special, you might say 请品茶 (Please taste/savor the tea). This invites them to really notice the flavor profile. No matter which version you use, the warmth remains the same.