Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "meal" with 餐 (cān)

    Actions & Events

    Structure

    Modifier + 餐

    Explanation

    The noun 餐 (cān) means "meal" and is used to refer to an occasion of eating. It appears in many common compounds such as 早餐 (breakfast), 午餐 (lunch), 晚餐 (dinner), and 用餐 (to have a meal).

    Examples

    • 今天的午餐你想吃什么?

      Jīntiān de wǔcān nǐ xiǎng chī shénme?

      What would you like to eat for lunch today?

    • 酒店提供免费的早餐和晚餐。

      Jiǔdiàn tígōng miǎnfèi de zǎocān hé wǎncān.

      The hotel provides complimentary breakfast and dinner.

    • 这一餐吃得太饱了,需要出去走走。

      Zhè yī cān chī de tài bǎo le, xūyào chūqù zǒuzou.

      I ate way too much at this meal; I need to go for a walk.

    Expressing "meal" with 餐 (cān) | Chinese Grammar