Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 打包 | dǎbāo |
| 外賣 / 外卖 | wàimài |
Depending on the context, you may use different terms. 外卖 refers specifically to the service of ordering food to be delivered to your location or picking up prepared food to eat elsewhere. The common way to say you are 'ordering takeout' (usually via an app) is to use the phrase 点外卖. 打包 is used when you want to pack up food that is already on the table, such as leftovers or when you want a meal packed to go.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 外卖 literally means 'outside sale', where 'outside' (外) and 'sale/sell' (卖) combine to refer to food sold to be consumed outside the establishment.
Which one should you use?
Use 打包 when you want to pack up leftovers or a meal to go. In contrast, use 外卖 to refer to the broader concept of food delivery or takeout services.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan, the phrase 外送 is preferred over 外卖. In Hong Kong, the term 外賣 is commonly used instead of 外卖.
How do you pronounce it?
dǎbāo
Did you know?
- The word 打包 is also used in the tech world to mean 'bundling' software or data into a single package.
- In many Chinese cities, delivery drivers for 外卖 services are so ubiquitous they are often referred to as the 'blood vessels' of the city's logistics.
- While 打包 means 'packing' today, the character 包 originally referred to a bundle of cloth used to carry items before plastic bags existed.
Examples in context
- 我要把这份食物带走。I want to take this order of food away.
- 我想打包。Wǒ xiǎng dǎbāo.I want to take this to go.
- 这些菜可以打包吗？Zhèxiē cài kěyǐ dǎbāo ma?Can these dishes be packed to go?
- 请帮我打包一下。Qǐng bāng wǒ dǎbāo yīxià.Please pack this for me to take away.
Example conversation
At a restaurant, Wei and Jiayi are finishing their meal.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我们剩了很多菜。Wǒmen shèngle hěnduō cài.We have a lot of food left over.
- 伟 Wei那我们打包吧。Nà wǒmen dǎbāo ba.Then let's get it packed to go.
- 佳怡 Jiayi好，我叫服务员。Hǎo, wǒ jiào fúwùyuán.Okay, I will call the waiter.
- 伟 Wei我也想打包那个汤。Wǒ yě xiǎng dǎbāo nàge tāng.I also want to take the soup to go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “takeout” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
