外賣
ngoi6 maai1
The English phrase "takeout" is translated into Cantonese as 外賣 (ngoi6 maai1).
外賣 is used to refer to food intended to be eaten away from the place of purchase, and it also refers to the service of food delivery.
Meaning: (of food) intended to be eaten off the premises from which it was bought (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 外賣 is composed of 外, meaning "outside" and 賣, meaning "to sell".
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of ordering takeout, you use the verb 叫 (to call or order) before 外賣, resulting in the phrase 叫外賣.
How do you pronounce it?
ngoi6 maai1
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, the phrase 叫外賣 literally means 'calling takeout', reflecting the historical era when all delivery orders were placed via landline telephones.
- When ordering 外賣 at a 'cha chaan teng' (tea restaurant), it is common for the food to be packed in thin plastic containers that are often stacked in precarious towers for the delivery driver.
- The character 外 (outside) is also the first character in the word for 'foreigner', creating a conceptual link between 'outside' and 'external' things.
Examples in context
- 我要外賣I want takeout
- 我想叫外賣。ngo5 soeng2 giu3 ngoi6 maai6.I want to order takeout.
- 呢份係外賣。ni1 fan6 hai6 ngoi6 maai6.This is a takeout order.
- 今日唔食飯，食外賣啦。gam1 jat6 m4 sik6 faan6, sik6 ngoi6 maai6 laa1.Let's not eat a home-cooked meal today, let's eat takeout.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat for dinner at home.
- 子健 Tsz Kin曉彤，今晚你想食咩呀？hiu2 tung4, gam1 maan5 nei5 soeng2 sik6 me1 aa3?曉彤, what do you want to eat tonight?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我想食外賣。ngo5 soeng2 sik6 ngoi6 maai6.I want to eat takeout.
- 子健 Tsz Kin好啊，你想食邊種外賣？hou2 aa3, nei5 soeng2 sik6 bin1 zung2 ngoi6 maai6?Okay, what kind of takeout do you want?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung不如叫壽司外賣啦。bat1 jyu4 giu3 sau6 si1 ngoi6 maai6 laa1.How about ordering sushi takeout?
