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The separable verb 吃饭 (chīfàn) for 'to eat a meal'
Structure
吃 + (Modifier +) 饭
Explanation
The separable verb 吃饭 (chīfàn) means "to eat a meal" or simply "to eat." As a separable verb, 吃 and 饭 can be split apart to insert other elements, such as 吃了饭 or 吃过饭. When used without modification, 吃饭 refers to eating in general rather than a specific food.
Examples
你吃饭了吗？我们一起去吧。
Nǐ chīfàn le ma? Wǒmen yīqǐ qù ba.
Have you eaten yet? Let's go together.
他每天中午都在公司吃饭。
Tā měitiān zhōngwǔ dōu zài gōngsī chīfàn.
He eats lunch at the office every day.
我还没吃饭呢，肚子好饿。
Wǒ hái méi chīfàn ne, dùzi hǎo è.
I haven't eaten yet — I'm so hungry.
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.
他每天中午都在公司吃饭。
Tā měitiān zhōngwǔ dōu zài gōngsī chīfàn.
He eats lunch at the office every day.
我还没吃饭呢，肚子好饿。
Wǒ hái méi chīfàn ne, dùzi hǎo è.
I haven't eaten yet; I'm so hungry.