吃饭
chīfàn
The Chinese phrase for "eat your food" is 吃饭 (chīfàn).
吃饭 is a general expression used to tell someone to have a meal. It can refer both to the physical act of eating and the broader concept of having a meal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the character 吃, which means "to eat".
How do you pronounce it?
chīfàn
When do people say it?
Depending on the situation, there are various ways to interact with others regarding their food. For example, you can use 请慢用 to invite someone to eat slowly and enjoy their meal.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, 吃饭 can be used as a euphemism for receiving a bribe or taking advantage of a position for financial gain.
- In traditional Chinese etiquette, it is often considered polite to leave a small amount of food on the plate to show that the host provided more than enough to eat.
- The character 饭 specifically refers to cooked rice, but in the context of 吃饭, it has evolved to represent any type of meal or food in general.
Examples in context
- 领导们，现在请用餐Leaders, please have your meal now
- 宝宝，快吃Baby, start eating
- 哥哥，快开动吧Brother, let's start eating
- 快点吃饭吧。Kuài diǎn chīfàn ba.Hurry up and eat your food.
- 我们要吃饭了。Wǒmen yào chīfàn le.It is time for us to eat our food.
Example conversation
At home during the evening.
- 浩然 Haoran晓雯，快点吃饭吧。Xiǎowén, kuài diǎn chīfàn ba.Xiaowen, hurry up and eat your food.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我马上就来。Wǒ mǎshàng jiù lái.I'll be right there.
- 浩然 Haoran菜都凉了。Cài dōu liáng le.The food is getting cold.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen好，我这就去吃饭。Hǎo, wǒ zhè jiù qù chīfàn.Okay, I'm going to eat my food now.
