中餐
zhōngcān
In Chinese, "chinese food" is 中餐 (zhōngcān).
The term is used to refer to food that is traditional to China or prepared in a Chinese style.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 中餐 is composed of 中 (zhōng), meaning 'middle' or 'China' and 餐 (cān), meaning 'meal' or 'food'.
Which one should you use?
中餐 (zhōngcān) is often used in contrast to 西餐 (xīcān), which means 'Western food'. Additionally, while 中餐 refers to the category of food, the term 中国菜 (zhōngguó cài) is a very common way to refer specifically to Chinese dishes or cuisine in daily conversation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
中餐 is a formal way to say 'Chinese food' and translates to 'Chinese meal'. For a more formal way to describe 'delicious foods of China', you might use 华夏美食 (huá xià měi shí).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, 'Chinese food' is referred to as 中菜 (zung1 coi3).
How do you pronounce it?
zhōngcān
Did you know?
- The character 中 in 中餐 represents the 'Middle Kingdom', a name rooted in the ancient belief that China was the center of the civilized world.
- When discussing 中餐, you might encounter the term 山珍海味, which literally means 'mountain delicacies and sea treasures'.
- In a formal 中餐 setting, the host often fills a guest's plate or bowl to show hospitality, a gesture that can feel intrusive to English speakers.
Examples in context
- 我们点了中餐。We've ordered Chinese food.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of 中餐 when ordering.Tatoeba #3630686 by suitchic, translation #3310192 by CK
- 我以前从来没有尝过中餐。I've never eaten Chinese food before.This sentence is useful for expressing a first-time experience with 中餐.Tatoeba #611149 by U2FS, translation #241901 by CK
- 我要吃中餐I want to eat Chinese food
- 中餐很好吃。Zhōngcān hěn hǎochī.Chinese food is delicious.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 梓涵 Zihan你想吃中餐吗？Nǐ xiǎng chī Zhōngcān ma?Do you want to eat Chinese food?
- 俊杰 Junjie好啊，我非常喜欢中餐。Hǎo a, wǒ fēicháng xǐhuān Zhōngcān.Sure, I really like Chinese food.
- 梓涵 Zihan那我们去那家餐厅吧。Nà wǒmen qù nà jiā cāntīng ba.Then let's go to that restaurant.
- 俊杰 Junjie没问题，我们走吧。Méi wèntí, wǒmen zǒu ba.No problem, let's go.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
