我开动了
wǒ kāi dòng le
The phrase itadakimasu can be expressed in Chinese as 我开动了 (wǒ kāi dòng le).
我开动了 is used to signal the beginning of a meal, similar to the Japanese 'itadakimasu'.
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ kāi dòng le
Did you know?
- The word 动 in 我开动了 can also describe the start of a military operation or a formal project.
- In many Chinese households, expressing gratitude for the food is often done through a direct compliment to the cook, such as saying 'the food is delicious' rather than using a ritualized phrase.
- In many parts of China, it is actually considered more polite to start eating silently once the host or eldest person begins, rather than announcing one's intention to eat with a phrase.
Examples in context
- 我开动了。Wǒ kāidòng le.I'm starting my meal.
- 饭菜准备好了，我开动了。Fàncài zhǔnbèi hǎo le, wǒ kāidòng le.The food is ready, I'm starting my meal.
Example conversation
A couple is sitting down to a homemade dinner.
- 雨婷 Yuting伟，菜都准备好了。Wěi, cài dōu zhǔnbèi hǎo le.Wei, the food is all ready.
- 伟 Wei好，我开动了。Hǎo, wǒ kāidòng le.Okay, I'm starting my meal.
- 雨婷 Yuting慢点吃，别烫着。Màn diǎn chī, bié tàng zhe.Eat slowly, don't burn yourself.
- 伟 Wei谢谢雨婷，真香。Xièxiè Yǔtíng, zhēn xiāng.Thanks Yuting, it smells delicious.
