慢用
màn yòng
The Chinese phrase for "have a good meal" is 慢用 (màn yòng).
慢用 is a polite wish told to someone who is about to start eating or is currently eating. It is used by hosts, servers or people who are not eating to tell those who are eating to enjoy their meal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 慢用 literally translates to "use slowly".
Which one should you use?
While it literally means 'eat slowly,' it is used as a polite social formula equivalent to 'enjoy your meal' rather than a literal instruction to slow down one's chewing speed.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
慢用 is a polite and formal way to express the wish for someone to enjoy their food. For even more formal situations, you can use 请慢用 (Please enjoy your meal) or 祝您用餐愉快 (I wish you a pleasant meal). If you are in an informal setting, you can say 吃得开心 (Enjoy your meal).
How do you pronounce it?
màn yòng
Did you know?
- The concept of 慢 (slow) appears in many Chinese polite phrases, such as 慢走 which is said to guests leaving a house to tell them to 'walk slowly' and get home safely.
- In some highly formal traditional settings, the phrase avoids the verb 'to eat' entirely. Using 'use' (用) is considered more refined and less 'animalistic' than the blunt verb for eating.
- In very traditional settings, the most polite way to acknowledge a meal is not to wish others a good meal, but to wait for the eldest person at the table to begin eating first.
Examples in context
- 请慢用。Qǐng màiyòng.Please, have a good meal.
- 您慢用。Nín màiyòng.Please, enjoy your meal (polite).
- 大家慢用吧。Dàjiā màiyòng ba.Everyone, please enjoy your meal.
Example conversation
At a restaurant, a waitress is finishing her service for the table.
- 梓涵 Zihan菜都上齐了，请慢用。Cài dōu shàng qí le, qǐng màiyòng.All the dishes are served, please enjoy your meal.
- 浩然 Haoran好的，谢谢。Hǎo de, xièxiè.Okay, thank you.
- 梓涵 Zihan不客气，慢慢吃。Bú kèqì, mànman chī.You're welcome, take your time eating.
- 浩然 Haoran谢谢，辛苦了。Xièxiè, xīnkǔ le.Thank you, thanks for your hard work.
