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    Chinese Grammar

    Referring to 'meal' or 'rice' with 饭 (fàn)

    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    吃 + 饭 / 做 + 饭 / 年夜饭

    Explanation

    饭 (fàn) is a noun meaning "meal," "cooked rice," or "food" in general. It is one of the most common words in daily Chinese, used in phrases like 吃饭 (to eat a meal), 做饭 (to cook), and 年夜饭 (New Year's Eve dinner). Context determines whether it refers to rice specifically or a meal in general.

    Examples

    • 妈妈做的饭特别好吃。

      Māma zuò de fàn tèbié hǎochī.

      The food Mom makes is especially delicious.

    • 你吃饭了吗？我们一起去吧。

      Nǐ chīfàn le ma? Wǒmen yīqǐ qù ba.

      Have you eaten? Let's go together.

    • 年夜饭是一年中最重要的一顿饭。

      Niányèfàn shì yī nián zhōng zuì zhòngyào de yī dùn fàn.

      The New Year's Eve dinner is the most important meal of the year.

    Referring to 'meal' or 'rice' with 饭 (fàn) | Chinese Grammar