中餐馆
zhōng cān guǎn
The English phrase "chinese restaurant" is translated into Chinese as 中餐馆 (zhōng cān guǎn).
This phrase refers to a place where meals prepared in the Chinese style are served to customers.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 中餐馆 is composed of 中 (middle/Chinese), 餐 (meal/food) and 馆 (establishment/restaurant).
Which one should you use?
While 中餐馆 specifically refers to a restaurant serving Chinese cuisine, the term 西餐馆 (xī cān guǎn) refers to a Western-style restaurant. You may also see the alternative 中餐厅 (zhōng cān tīng), which uses the word for 'dining hall' instead of 'establishment'.
How do you pronounce it?
zhōng cān guǎn
Did you know?
- If you are looking for a high-end, luxury Chinese restaurant, you might look for the word 酒楼 (jiǔ lóu) instead. This literally translates to 'wine building' and implies a much more prestigious dining experience.
- In mainland China, you will rarely see a sign that says 中餐馆 because most restaurants are assumed to be Chinese unless they are specifically labeled as 西餐 (Western) or another foreign cuisine.
- In the phrase 中餐馆, the word 中 (zhōng) refers to the 'Middle Kingdom' (China), reflecting the ancient belief that China was the center of the civilized world.
Examples in context
- 我们今天晚上要去中华餐馆吃饭。We're going to a Chinese restaurant tonight.
- 你知道附近有没有好吃的中餐馆吗？Do you know if there's a good Chinese restaurant nearby?
- 嗯，我知道一家中菜馆，他们的宫保鸡丁非常出名。Yes, I know a Chinese food place. Their Kung Pao Chicken is very famous.
- 那家中餐馆的味道很好。Nà jiā zhōngcānguǎn de wèidào hěn hǎo.The food at that Chinese restaurant tastes very good.
- 附近有一家新的中餐馆。Fùjìn yǒu yī jiā xīn de zhōngcānguǎn.There is a new Chinese restaurant nearby.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding where to eat lunch.
- 梓涵 Zihan志强，我们中午去哪儿吃？Zhìqiáng, wǒmen zhōngwǔ qù nǎ'er chī?Zhiqiang, where should we eat lunch?
- 志强 Zhiqiang去那家中餐馆怎么样？Qù nà jiā zhōngcānguǎn zěnmeyàng?How about going to that Chinese restaurant?
- 梓涵 Zihan好啊，我正好想吃中餐。Hǎo a, wǒ zhènghǎo xiǎng chī zhōngcān.Okay, I happen to want to eat Chinese food.
- 志强 Zhiqiang那我们现在就走吧。Nà wǒmen xiànzài jiù zǒu ba.Then let's go now.
