外卖
wàimài
The English phrase "take away food" is translated into Chinese as 外卖 (wàimài).
外卖 refers to food that is bought from a restaurant to be eaten somewhere else. If you want to express the action of ordering take away food, you can use the verb 点 (diǎn) before 外卖 to say 点外卖.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 外卖 is composed of 外 (wài) meaning 'outside' and 卖 (mài) meaning 'to sell'.
Which one should you use?
While 外卖 refers to ordering food to be delivered or picked up, the term 打包 (dǎbāo) is specifically used when asking a waiter to pack up food you have already eaten at the restaurant into a container.
How do you pronounce it?
wàimài
Did you know?
- The word 卖 (mài) in 外卖 means 'to sell', but it is the exact opposite of the word 买 (mǎi), which means 'to buy'. They are distinguished only by the tone used when speaking.
- In many Chinese cities, the speed of 外卖 (wàimài) delivery is a point of national pride and intense competition. Delivery riders are often nicknamed 'blue/yellow warriors' based on the colors of their ubiquitous uniforms.
- The phrase 打包 (dǎbāo) can also be used as a slang term in certain contexts to mean 'to pack up and leave' a situation or a place quickly.
Examples in context
- 我想点一份外卖。I would like to order take away food.
- 你们这家店可以打包吗？Can I get this food to go?
- 我们点外卖吧。Wǒmen diǎn wàimài ba.Let's order take away food.
- 我不吃外卖。Wǒ bù chī wàimài.I don't eat take away food.
- 今天的外卖到了。Jīntiān de wàimài dào le.Today's take away food has arrived.
Example conversation
A couple is deciding what to eat at home.
- 志强 Zhiqiang佳怡，你想吃什么？Jiāyí, nǐ xiǎng chī shénme?Jiayi, what do you want to eat?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我想吃外卖。Wǒ xiǎng chī wàimài.I want to eat take away food.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好，那我们点外卖吧。Hǎo, nà wǒmen diǎn wàimài ba.Okay, then let's order take away food.
- 佳怡 Jiayi志强，你想吃中餐吗？Zhìqiáng, nǐ xiǎng chī Zhōngcān ma?Zhiqiang, do you want to eat Chinese food?
