外卖。

You usually pair it with the verb 点 (to order). Saying 点外卖 is the standard way to say you are ordering food. You can also use it as a noun to describe the delivery person, often called an 外卖小哥. It is a very flexible word that fits into almost any sentence about food logistics.

Use it whenever you aren't cooking or dining inside a restaurant. It is perfect for office lunches when you can't leave your desk. Use it with friends when nobody wants to decide on a place to go. It is the ultimate solution for a late-night snack during a gaming session. You will hear it constantly in big Chinese cities.

Do not use it for non-food deliveries like packages or mail. For those, you should use 快递. Also, avoid using it in very fancy, high-end dining contexts. If you are at a Michelin-star restaurant, asking for 外卖 might raise some eyebrows. It is a bit too casual for a black-tie gala event.

In China, 外卖 is a lifestyle, not just a convenience. The infrastructure is incredible and lightning-fast. You can get anything from a single bubble tea to a full hotpot set delivered. Delivery drivers on electric scooters are the lifeblood of the city. It has changed how people socialize and even how apartments are designed.

You will often hear 叫外卖 which means 'to call for delivery'. Another common one is 拿外卖, which means to go down and pick up your food. If you are talking about the apps themselves, people just say the app names like 美团 or 饿了么. It is the most common way young professionals eat these days.