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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'breakfast' with 早饭 (zǎofàn)

    Existence & Possession
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    吃 + 早饭

    Explanation

    早饭 (zǎofàn) means "breakfast" and refers to the first meal of the day. It is a compound of 早 (morning/early) and 饭 (meal/rice). The synonym 早餐 (zǎocān) is also commonly used and is slightly more formal.

    Examples

    • 你今天吃早饭了吗？

      Nǐ jīntiān chī zǎofàn le ma?

      Did you eat breakfast today?

    • 妈妈做的早饭特别丰盛。

      Māma zuò de zǎofàn tèbié fēngshèng.

      The breakfast Mom made is especially hearty.

    • 来不及了，我没时间吃早饭。

      Láibují le, wǒ méi shíjiān chī zǎofàn.

      There's no time — I don't have time to eat breakfast.

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    Expressing 'breakfast' with 早饭 (zǎofàn) | Chinese Grammar