午餐时间
wǔ cān shí jiān
The English phrase "lunchtime" is translated into Chinese as 午餐时间 (wǔ cān shí jiān).
午餐时间 refers to the time or hour for lunch.
Meaning: time or hour for lunch (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 午餐 (lunch) and 时间 (time).
Which one should you use?
午饭时间 is a more colloquial way to say lunchtime compared to the slightly more formal 午餐时间. Additionally, 午休时间 refers specifically to the break period during which people often eat and take a short nap.
How do you pronounce it?
wǔ cān shí jiān
Did you know?
- The character 午 in 午餐时间 refers to the 'Horse' sign of the Chinese zodiac, which represents the period between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- In many Chinese offices, 'lunchtime' is synonymous with a mandatory nap period, often referred to as 午休 (wǔxiū). It is common to see employees sleeping at their desks to recharge for the afternoon.
- In many parts of China, the 'lunchtime' culture is so rigid that many shops and businesses will shut their doors completely for an hour or two in the early afternoon.
Examples in context
- 我饿了，要不要一起去吃午饭？I'm hungry, do you want to go eat lunch together?
- 现在是午餐时间。Xiànzài shì wǔcān shíjiān.It is lunchtime now.
- 午餐时间快到了。Wǔcān shíjiān kuài dào le.Lunchtime is coming soon.
- 我喜欢在午餐时间散步。Wǒ xǐhuān zài wǔcān shíjiān sànbù.I like to take a walk during lunchtime.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking in an office before their break.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen志强，午餐时间到了吗？Zhìqiáng, wǔcān shíjiān dào le ma?Zhiqiang, is it lunchtime yet?
- 志强 Zhiqiang是的，我们走吧。Shì de, wǒmen zǒu ba.Yes, let's go.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你想吃什么？Nǐ xiǎng chī shénme?What do you want to eat?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我想去吃面条。Wǒ xiǎng qù chī miàntiáo.I want to go eat noodles.
