吃饭
To eat (a meal)
Littéralement: eat rice
Use it to describe eating any meal or as a warm way to greet friends and family.
En 15 secondes
- Literally means 'eat rice' but refers to any meal.
- Commonly used as a friendly greeting to show care.
- Used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner interchangeably.
Signification
While it literally means 'eating rice,' it's the universal way to say you're having a meal, whether it's pizza, noodles, or a five-course feast.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Checking in with a friend
你吃饭了吗？
Have you eaten?
Declining an invitation because you're busy
我在吃饭，等一下。
I am eating, wait a moment.
Inviting a colleague to lunch
我们要去吃饭，你去吗？
We are going to eat, are you coming?
Contexte culturel
In Chinese culture, food is considered 'heaven' for the people. The phrase 'Have you eaten?' functions similarly to 'How are you?' in English, reflecting a history where food security was the primary concern for well-being.
It's not always a question
When someone asks 'Have you eaten?', they aren't always inviting you to lunch. Sometimes it's just a way to say 'Hi!'
The 'Rice' Rule
Even if you are eating noodles or bread, you still say '吃饭'. Don't try to change it to '吃面' unless you're being very specific.
En 15 secondes
- Literally means 'eat rice' but refers to any meal.
- Commonly used as a friendly greeting to show care.
- Used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner interchangeably.
What It Means
吃饭 is the heartbeat of Chinese daily life. It literally means 'eat rice.' However, rice is so central to the diet that it represents all food. When you say this, you aren't just talking about grains. You are talking about the act of nourishing yourself. It is the default term for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
How To Use It
You can use it as a simple verb-object phrase. Want to ask if someone has eaten? Just add a 了 and a 吗. It is incredibly flexible. You can put words in the middle too. For example, 吃个饭 makes it sound more casual. It's like saying 'grab a bite.'
When To Use It
Use it every single day. Use it when you're hungry. Use it when you're inviting a crush out. Use it when you're checking in on your parents. In China, asking 你吃饭了吗? is often just a way of saying 'hello.' It shows you care about the person's well-being. It’s the ultimate social icebreaker.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if you are specifically talking about a snack. That’s usually 吃零食. Also, avoid it in very high-end formal banquet invitations. In those cases, use 用餐 to sound more sophisticated. If you're just eating a single apple, 吃饭 sounds a bit too heavy. Stick to just 吃 for small items.
Cultural Background
Food is the center of the Chinese universe. Historically, food was scarce, so checking if someone had eaten was a sign of deep affection. It’s not just about calories; it’s about community. Sharing a meal is how business deals are closed and families stay bonded. If someone invites you to 吃饭, they are offering you their time and friendship.
Common Variations
You’ll hear 请吃饭 which means 'to treat someone to a meal.' This is a huge part of social etiquette. There is also 还没吃 for 'haven't eaten yet.' If you're busy working through lunch, you might say 还没时间吃饭. It’s the most practical phrase you’ll ever learn.
Notes d'usage
Very versatile and safe for almost all daily interactions. Use `用餐` (yòngcān) only if you are in a very high-end restaurant or writing a formal invitation.
It's not always a question
When someone asks 'Have you eaten?', they aren't always inviting you to lunch. Sometimes it's just a way to say 'Hi!'
The 'Rice' Rule
Even if you are eating noodles or bread, you still say '吃饭'. Don't try to change it to '吃面' unless you're being very specific.
Don't take it too literally
If you answer 'No' to 'Have you eaten?', be prepared for the person to potentially offer you food or feel awkward if they can't!
Exemples
6你吃饭了吗？
Have you eaten?
The classic Chinese greeting, often used instead of 'hello'.
我在吃饭，等一下。
I am eating, wait a moment.
A common way to tell someone you're occupied with a meal.
我们要去吃饭，你去吗？
We are going to eat, are you coming?
A simple, direct way to invite someone along.
晚上一起吃饭吧！
Let's eat together tonight!
A standard way to suggest a dinner date.
快来吃饭！菜都凉了。
Come eat quickly! The food is getting cold.
A very common household phrase filled with motherly love.
我没钱吃饭了。
I have no money to eat.
A common humorous exaggeration when someone is broke.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to complete the greeting.
你___了吗？
'你吃饭了吗？' is the standard way to ask 'Have you eaten?'
How do you say 'Let's go eat'?
我们去___吧。
'吃饭' is the verb for having a meal.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Eating'
Used with close friends or family.
吃了吗？
The standard way to say 'eat a meal'.
去吃饭
Used in business or polite settings.
用餐
When to use 吃饭
Greeting
Asking a neighbor if they've eaten.
Dating
Asking someone out for dinner.
Work
Heading out for a lunch break.
Family
Gathering around the table.
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNo, it refers to any meal. Even if you are eating a burger, you can say 我在吃饭.
If you have, say 吃了 (chī le). If not, say 还没 (hái méi).
Not at all! It's a polite way to show you care about their well-being, though keep your tone respectful.
Yes, but you can also be specific by saying 吃早饭 (chī zǎofàn).
吃 is just the verb 'to eat,' while 吃饭 is the full phrase for 'having a meal.'
It's a bit casual for formal documents. In those cases, 用餐 (yòngcān) is preferred.
It stems from a history where making sure everyone was fed was the ultimate sign of hospitality and care.
Usually no. For snacks, it's better to say 吃零食 (chī língshí) or just 吃东西 (chī dōngxi).
It means 'to treat someone to a meal.' It's a very common social gesture in China.
The meaning is the same everywhere, though southern regions might actually be eating more rice than northern ones!
You can say 我吃饱了 (wǒ chī bǎo le).
Yes! In a slang way, 靠这个吃饭 means 'I rely on this job to put food on the table.'
Expressions liées
吃饱了
I'm full / I've eaten my fill
请客
To treat someone (to a meal or drink)
用餐
To have a meal (formal)
开饭
Meal is served / Time to eat
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