外卖
wàimài
The English phrase "takeout food" is translated into Chinese as 外卖 (wàimài).
外卖 is used to refer to food prepared by a restaurant to be eaten elsewhere, whether it is picked up by the customer or delivered. You can combine it with other terms to specify the type of food, such as 川菜外卖 for Sichuan-style takeout food or 素食外卖 for vegetarian takeout food. To express the action of ordering takeout, use the verb 点 with the phrase to say 点外卖.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 外卖 is composed of two parts: 外 (wài), meaning 'outside' and 卖 (mài), meaning 'to sell'.
How do you pronounce it?
wàimài
Did you know?
- The delivery person is called a 外卖小哥, which means 'takeout little brother'. This uses the term 'little brother' to create a sense of friendly familiarity and kinship.
- If you are at a restaurant and want to pack leftovers or order food to take home yourself, you use the term 打包, which literally means 'to wrap up'.
- While 外卖 is common in mainland China, people in Taiwan or southern regions often use 外带, meaning 'outside carry', to describe food taken to go.
Examples in context
- 我要点外卖I want to order takeout food
- 他昨天叫了外卖He ordered takeout food yesterday
- 今晚我们吃外送Tonight we will have takeout
- 我叫了外卖，你要吃吗?I ordered takeout food, do you want to eat?
- 我想点外卖。Wǒ xiǎng diǎn wàimài.I want to order takeout.
- 今天的外卖到了吗？Jīntiān de wàimài dào le ma?Has today's takeout arrived?
- 我不喜欢吃外卖。Wǒ bù xǐhuān chī wàimài.I don't like eating takeout.
Example conversation
Two roommates are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 浩然 Haoran梓涵，你今晚想吃什么？Zǐhán, nǐ jīnwǎn xiǎng chī shénme?Zihan, what do you want to eat tonight?
- 梓涵 Zihan我不想做饭，点外卖吧。Wǒ bù xiǎng zuòfàn, diǎn wàimài ba.I don't want to cook, let's order takeout food.
- 浩然 Haoran好，你想点哪家的外卖？Hǎo, nǐ xiǎng diǎn nǎ jiā de wàimài?Okay, which place's takeout food do you want?
- 梓涵 Zihan我想吃那家快餐店的。Wǒ xiǎng chī nà jiā kuàicāndiàn de.I want the one from that fast food restaurant.
