来吃饭
lái chīfàn
The phrase "come and eat" in Chinese is translated as 来吃饭 (lái chīfàn).
来吃饭 is a direct invitation used when a meal is ready to be served.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 来吃饭 is composed of 来 (come), 吃 (eat) and 饭 (meal/cooked rice).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the expression 食嘢啦 is used to say "come and eat".
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle 吧 to the end of the phrase makes the invitation sound more like a suggestion and less like a command. The particle 啦 can be added to a phrase to signify enthusiasm and excitement.
How do you pronounce it?
lái chīfàn
When do people say it?
In Chinese culture, calling someone to eat is a common way to show hospitality and care.
Did you know?
- The word 吃 (eat) is used in idioms to describe things other than food, such as 吃苦 which means 'to endure hardship' or 'to suffer'.
- The phrase 吃饭 can be used as a euphemism for 'making a living' or 'earning a salary', as in describing one's profession as 'how I eat'.
- If you are a guest and hear the host say 来吃饭, it is often considered polite to wait a moment or ask 'everyone else?' before sitting down to ensure you are not eating ahead of others.
Examples in context
- 快来吃饭吧。Kuài lái chīfàn ba.Come and eat quickly.
- 妈妈叫你来吃饭。Māma jiào nǐ lái chīfàn.Mom is calling you to come and eat.
- 菜好了，快来吃饭。Cài hǎo le, kuài lái chīfàn.The food is ready, come and eat.
Example conversation
A husband calls his wife to the dining table.
- 浩然 Haoran梓涵，快来吃饭。Zǐhán, kuài lái chīfàn.Zihan, come and eat.
- 梓涵 Zihan我马上就来。Wǒ mǎshàng jiù lái.I'll be there right away.
- 浩然 Haoran菜都要凉了。Cài dōu yào liáng le.The food is going to get cold.
- 梓涵 Zihan好的，我这就来。Hǎo de, wǒ zhè jiù lái.Okay, I'm coming now.
