外賣
The English phrase 'takeaway' is translated into Cantonese as 外賣.
外賣 refers to a meal bought to be eaten elsewhere. If you want to express the action of ordering takeaway, you use the verb 叫 (to call/order) before the word, resulting in 叫外賣.
Meaning: meal bought to be eaten elsewhere (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 外 (outside) and 賣 (to sell).
How does it change in a sentence?
By adding 單 (list/bill) to the end of the term, you create 外賣單, which refers to a takeaway order or a receipt.
Did you know?
- In many Cantonese-speaking regions, if you want to eat a meal at the restaurant, you say 堂食, which literally translates to 'dining in the hall'.
- Because of the high density of housing in Hong Kong, many people use 外賣 services for 'meal boxes' called 便當, a term borrowed from Japanese culture.
- The culture of 外賣 in Cantonese cities is heavily tied to 'cha chaan tengs' (tea restaurants), which perfected the art of fast, packaged meals for office workers.
Examples in context
- 我想叫外賣。ngo5 soeng2 giu3 ngoi6 maai6.I want to order takeaway.
- 呢份外賣好食。ni1 fan6 ngoi6 maai6 hou2 sik6.This takeaway is delicious.
- 我哋食外賣啦。ngo5 dei6 sik6 ngoi6 maai6 laa1.Let's eat takeaway.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung子健，我哋今晚食外賣好唔好？zi2 gin6, ngo5 dei6 gam1 maan4 sik6 ngoi6 maai6 hou2 m4 hou2?Zi Jian, how about we have takeaway tonight?
- 子健 Tsz Kin好呀，你想食邊間外賣？hou2 aa3, nei5 soeng2 sik6 bin1 gaan1 ngoi6 maai6?Sure, which takeaway do you want to eat?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我想食日式外賣。ngo5 soeng2 sik6 jat6 sik1 ngoi6 maai6.I want to eat Japanese takeaway.
- 子健 Tsz Kin冇問題，我而家就訂。mou5 man6 tai4, ngo5 ji4 gaa2 zau6 ding3.No problem, I will order it now.
