外賣
ngoi6 maai1
In Cantonese, the English phrase "take away" is translated as 外賣 (ngoi6 maai1).
While the English 'take away' is a verb phrase, the Cantonese term 外賣 is most commonly used as a noun referring to the food itself or the service.
Meaning: to remove something and put it in a different place (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 外賣 is composed of 外 (outside) and 賣 (to sell), literally meaning "outside sell".
Which one should you use?
In Cantonese, 外賣 refers specifically to food being taken away to be eaten elsewhere, whereas the English 'take away' can also mean to subtract or remove something physically.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of ordering or getting takeaway, you use the verb 叫 (to call/order) before 外賣.
How do you pronounce it?
ngoi6 maai1
Did you know?
- In some local eateries, if you want your food 'take away', you might hear the staff use the term 走 (zau2), which literally means 'to leave' or 'to go'.
- In Hong Kong, you might hear the term 打包 (to pack up) used more frequently than 外賣 when you are currently dining in a restaurant and want to take your leftovers home.
- In Hong Kong, you will often see the phrase 外賣 used interchangeably with 'takeout' or 'take away', but the English term 'take away' is so common that it is frequently used as a loanword in local Cantonese conversation.
Examples in context
- 我要買個三文治外賣。I'd like to buy a sandwich to take away.
- 我去買杯咖啡拎走。I'm going to buy a coffee to take away.
- 我要外賣I'd like takeout.
- 你有冇得外賣？Do you offer takeout?
Example conversation
Mei Ling and Chun Kit are ordering food at a restaurant.
- 美玲 Mei Ling俊傑，你想喺度食定外賣？Jun Kit, nei5 soeng2 hai2 dou6 sik6 ding6 ngoi6 maai6?Chun Kit, do you want to eat here or take away?
- 俊傑 Chun Kit我想外賣，快啲返屋企食。ngo5 soeng2 ngoi6 maai6, faai3 di1 faan1 uk1 kei2 sik6.I want to take away, so I can go home and eat sooner.
- 美玲 Mei Ling好，我哋叫外賣啦。hou2, ngo5 dei6 giu3 ngoi6 maai6 laa1.Okay, let's order take away.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit唔該，麻煩你幫我包外賣。m4 goi1, maa4 faan4 nei5 bong1 ngo5 baau1 ngoi6 maai6.Excuse me, please pack this for take away.
