吃饭时间
chīfàn shíjiān
The English phrase "time to eat" is translated into Chinese as 吃饭时间 (chīfàn shíjiān).
吃饭时间 is a noun phrase used to refer to the designated period or scheduled time for a meal, rather than being used as a command to start eating.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 吃饭 (chīfàn), meaning "to eat a meal" and 时间 (shíjiān), meaning "time".
Which one should you use?
While 吃饭时间 refers to the concept of "mealtime", the phrase 该吃饭了 is used to actually announce to people that it is time to eat now.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, people might say 吃饭了 to express "time to eat".
How do you pronounce it?
chīfàn shíjiān
When do people say it?
It is customary in Chinese culture to wait until the most senior person at the table starts eating before you begin.
Did you know?
- The character 饭 can be used in the phrase 吃饭 to mean 'to make a living'. Someone might say they need to 'eat rice' to refer to their employment or career.
- The word 饭 is also used in the term 饭局, which refers to a 'meal party' specifically designed for social or political maneuvering.
- If a meal is late, one might complain that the 饭点 (fàndiǎn), or 'rice point', has already passed.
Examples in context
- 现在是吃饭时间。Xiànzài shì chīfàn shíjiān.It is mealtime now.
- 该是吃饭时间了。Gāi shì chīfàn shíjiān le.It's time to eat.
- 到了吃饭时间，请放下工作。Dào le chīfàn shíjiān, qǐng fàngxià gōngzuò.It's mealtime, please put down your work.
Example conversation
Wei and Zihan are studying in the library.
- 伟 Wei梓涵，快看，已经到吃饭时间了。Zǐhán, kuài kàn, yǐjīng dào chīfàn shíjiān le.Zihan, look, it's already time to eat.
- 梓涵 Zihan真的吗？我太饿了。Zhēnde ma? Wǒ tài è le.Really? I'm so hungry.
- 伟 Wei我们去食堂吃吧。Wǒmen qù shítáng chī ba.Let's go to the canteen.
- 梓涵 Zihan好，现在就走。Hǎo, xiànzài jiù zǒu.Okay, let's go now.
