食咗飯未呀？
sik6 zo2 faan6 mei6 aa3?
The Cantonese phrase for 'have you eaten?' is 食咗飯未呀？ (sik6 zo2 faan6 mei6 aa3?)
In Cantonese, 食咗飯未呀？ is often used as a phatic expression or a greeting to show care rather than a literal inquiry into one's hunger. It functions similarly to asking how they are.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'eat [aspect marker for completed action] rice/meal not yet [particle]?'
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hong Kong, it is common to hear the phrase Nei5 sik6 zo2 mei6 ar?
How do you pronounce it?
sik6 zo2 faan6 mei6 aa3?
When do people say it?
In Cantonese culture, asking if someone has eaten is a common way to initiate conversation and demonstrate friendliness or concern. If someone asks you this, you can answer 食咗喇 to mean 'Eaten already' or 未呀 to mean 'Not yet'.
Did you know?
- If you answer 未呀 (not yet) to a stranger or an acquaintance, you may inadvertently signal that you are hungry or in need, which might prompt them to actually invite you to eat.
- While 'rice' is the literal translation of 飯, the phrase is used even if you have actually eaten noodles, pasta, or a sandwich. In this context, 'rice' serves as a generic term for any completed meal.
- Because it is a greeting of care, answering with a long list of exactly what you ate might actually be seen as being too literal or slightly awkward in a casual setting.
Examples in context
- 食咗飯未呀？sik6 zo2 faan6 mei6 aa3?Have you eaten yet?
- 喂，食咗飯未呀？wai3, sik6 zo2 faan6 mei6 aa3?Hey, have you eaten?
Example conversation
曉彤 meets 子健 in the afternoon.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung子健，食咗飯未呀？zi2 gin3, sik6 zo2 faan6 mei6 aa3?Zi Kin, have you eaten yet?
- 子健 Tsz Kin仲未呀，你呢？zung6 mei6 aa3, nei5 ne1?Not yet, how about you?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我食咗喇。ngo5 sik6 zo2 laa3.I have eaten.
- 子健 Tsz Kin咁好呀。gam2 hou2 aa3.That's good.
