點餐
dim2 caan1
In Cantonese, the phrase for to order is 點餐 (dim2 caan1).
The term is used to describe the act of requesting a product or service.
Meaning: to request some product or service (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
點餐 (dim2 caan1) is composed of 點 (dim2), meaning 'to point/select' and 餐 (caan1), meaning 'meal/food'.
Which one should you use?
While 點餐 is used for ordering, the phrase 訂購 (ding6 gou3) is specifically used when you want to place an order for goods or services in a formal manner. In casual conversation, speakers often use the colloquial 點嘢食 (dim2 je5 sik6) to mean 'to order something to eat' or the even shorter 點嘢 (dim2 je5) to mean 'to order something' when the food context is already clear.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Guangdong Province, the phrase 落單 (lok6 daan1) is used to mean 'to place an order'.
How do you pronounce it?
dim2 caan1
Did you know?
- While English speakers 'place' an order, a Cantonese speaker in Guangdong might say they 'drop' an order, using the phrase 落單 (lok6 daan1).
- If you use the formal 點餐 (dim2 caan1) while sitting at a casual street food stall, you might sound as formal as someone saying 'I shall now request a repast' in English.
- In Cantonese, the word 單 (daan1) in the phrase 落單 refers to a 'slip' or 'list', meaning to 'drop an order' onto a piece of paper.
Examples in context
- 我想點餐 (ngo5 soeng2 dim2 caan1)I would like to order.
- 我想訂購一個蛋糕 (ngo5 soeng2 ding6 gou3 jat1 go3 daan6 gou1)I would like to order a cake.
- 我要叫一份意粉 (ngo5 jiu3 giu3 jat1 fan6 ji3 fan2)I want to order a plate of spaghetti.
- 你今日要點咩？(nei5 gam1 jat6 jiu3 dim2 me1)What would you like to order today?
- 我想食一個包 (ngo5 soeng2 sik6 jat1 go3 baau1)I would like to order/eat a bun.
- 你要唔要落單？(nei5 jiu3 m4 jiu3 lok6 daan1)Would you like to place an order?
- 我哋準備好可以點餐喇。ngo5 dei6 zeon2 bei6 hou2 ho2 ji5 dim2 caan1 laa3.We are ready to order now.
- 服務員，我想點餐。fuk6 mou6 jyun4, ngo5 soeng2 dim2 caan1.Waiter, I want to order.
- 你可以幫我點餐嗎？nei5 ho2 ji5 bong1 ngo5 dim2 caan1 maa1?Can you help me order?
Example conversation
Ka Ming and Mei Ling are sitting in a restaurant.
- 家明 Ka Ming美玲，你決定好點餐未？Mei4 ling4, nei5 kyut3 ding6 hou2 dim2 caan1 mei6?Mei Ling, have you decided what to order?
- 美玲 Mei Ling我仲諗緊，你先點餐啦。ngo5 zung6 nam2 gan2, nei5 sin1 dim2 caan1 laa1.I'm still thinking, you go ahead and order first.
- 家明 Ka Ming好，我叫個叉燒飯。hou2, ngo5 giu3 go3 caa1 siu1 faan2.Okay, I'll have the BBQ pork rice.
- 美玲 Mei Ling咁我都要一樣。gam2 ngo5 dou1 jiu1 jat1 joeng6.Then I'll have the same.
