When someone says 吃饭了 (chī fàn le), it means “Time to eat!” or “The food is ready!” It’s a very common and practical phrase you’ll hear every day in China. Think of it as a casual announcement that a meal is about to start. The 了 (le) at the end indicates a new situation or completion, so it’s like saying “eating has begun” or “it’s time for eating now.” You can use it to call people to the dinner table.
When someone says “吃饭了” (chī fàn le), it’s a friendly and common way to announce that a meal is ready or it's time to eat. It literally translates to “eat meal past particle,” indicating a completed action or a change of state – in this case, the state of it being mealtime.
You'll often hear this in a family setting or among friends. It's an invitation to gather and share a meal, not just a statement of fact. Think of it as a call to the dinner table. It’s concise and gets straight to the point, clearly signaling that food is on the way or already served.
When we say “吃饭了” (chī fàn le), it literally translates to “eat rice (already/now)”. However, the actual meaning is much broader and functions as a common phrase to announce that it’s time for a meal. The ‘饭’ (fàn) here doesn’t exclusively mean rice; it represents any cooked meal. The particle ‘了’ (le) indicates a change of state or a new situation, signaling that the eating time has arrived. It's similar to saying "Dinner's ready!" or "Lunchtime!" in English, and it can be used for any meal of the day. So, even if you're having noodles or bread, you can still use “吃饭了” to call everyone to the table.
吃饭了 في 30 ثانية
- Common phrase
- Informal
- Announces mealtime
§ What 吃饭了 means
吃饭了 (chīfànle) literally translates to "eat meal particle." The 了 (le) particle here indicates a change of state or a new situation. So, when you hear 吃饭了, it's essentially saying "the state of eating has begun" or "it's time for eating now."
- Meaning
- It's time to eat. This can be used as a general announcement that a meal is ready, or to invite someone to eat.
§ Basic Usage
The simplest way to use 吃饭了 is as a standalone phrase. When the food is ready, just say it!
吃饭了！(chīfànle!)
- Translation hint
- Time to eat! / Food's ready!
You can also use it to invite someone specifically, often by adding their name or a pronoun.
妈妈，吃饭了。(māma, chīfànle.)
- Translation hint
- Mom, time to eat.
我们去吃饭了。(wǒmen qù chīfànle.)
- Translation hint
- We're going to eat now. (Or: Let's go eat.)
§ The 了 (le) Particle
The 了 (le) in 吃饭了 is a very common grammatical particle in Chinese. It's often called a "perfective aspect particle" when it follows a verb, indicating that an action is completed. However, in this specific phrase, it also functions as a "change of state" particle, signaling that a new situation (mealtime) has arrived.
- When 了 follows a verb, it can mean the action is done: 我吃了。(Wǒ chī le.) - I ate.
- When 了 is at the end of a sentence, it often means a change of state: 下雨了。(Xià yǔ le.) - It's raining now (it wasn't before).
In 吃饭了, it's a mix of both. The action of eating is about to begin, representing a change in the current situation.
§ Responding to 吃饭了
When someone says 吃饭了, common responses include:
- 好的 (hǎode) - Okay.
- 来了 (láile) - Coming! (Literally: [I] came / [I] arrived, but in this context, it implies you are on your way.)
- 马上来 (mǎshàng lái) - Coming right away.
- 等一下 (děng yīxià) - Wait a moment.
A: 吃饭了！(chīfànle!)
B: 来了！(láile!)
- Translation hint
- A: Time to eat!
B: Coming!
§ When NOT to use it
吃饭了 is specifically for announcing mealtime. Do not use it to talk about eating in general, or to ask someone if they have eaten yet. For those situations, you would use different phrases:
- To ask if someone has eaten: 你吃饭了吗？(Nǐ chīfàn le ma?) - Have you eaten?
- To talk about eating a meal: 我去吃饭。(Wǒ qù chīfàn.) - I'm going to eat a meal.
Keep it simple and direct. Use 吃饭了 when it's mealtime, and use other phrases for other contexts related to eating.
§ Understanding "吃饭了"
The phrase “吃饭了” (chīfàn le) literally means “eat-meal particle.” The particle “了” (le) here indicates a change of state or a new situation. So, when you hear “吃饭了,” it’s generally an announcement: “It’s time to eat!” or “Dinner is ready!” It’s a very common and practical phrase you’ll use daily in China.
- DEFINITION
- Time to eat.
妈妈：吃饭了！(Mom: Time to eat!)
孩子们，吃饭了！(Kids, dinner's ready!)
§ Alternatives and Nuances
While “吃饭了” is versatile, there are other ways to talk about eating or meals. Understanding these alternatives will help you sound more natural.
- 要吃饭了 (yào chīfàn le): This means “going to eat” or “about to eat.” The “要…了” structure indicates an action is about to happen.
我要吃饭了，你呢？(I'm about to eat, how about you?)
快点，我们要吃饭了。(Hurry up, we're going to eat.)
- 可以吃饭了 (kěyǐ chīfàn le): This translates to “can eat now” or “it’s okay to eat.” It implies permission or that the conditions are right to start eating.
菜都上齐了，大家可以吃饭了。(All the dishes are served, everyone can eat now.)
- 吃午饭/晚饭/早饭 (chī wǔfàn/wǎnfàn/zǎofàn): These are more specific. If you want to say “eat lunch,” you’d say “吃午饭.” If you want to announce “Lunch is ready,” you could say “午饭好了” (wǔfàn hǎo le – lunch is ready) or “该吃午饭了” (gāi chī wǔfàn le – it’s time to eat lunch).
我饿了，想吃午饭。(I'm hungry, I want to eat lunch.)
晚饭好了，快过来。(Dinner's ready, come over quickly.)
§ When to Choose "吃饭了"
Stick with “吃饭了” when you want to make a general announcement that food is ready or that it’s simply time to eat. It’s direct, common, and understood by everyone. It’s the simplest and most natural way to call people to a meal in a casual setting.
For example, if you’re at home with family or friends and the food is served, a simple “吃饭了！” is perfect. If you’re busy with work and someone asks what you’re doing, you could say “我吃饭了” (Wǒ chīfàn le) meaning “I'm eating now” or “I've started eating.” The context will make it clear.
爷爷，吃饭了！别看电视了。(Grandpa, time to eat! Stop watching TV.)
我们去餐厅吧，吃饭了。(Let's go to the restaurant, it's time to eat.)
In summary, “吃饭了” is your go-to phrase for announcing that a meal is ready. For nuances like “about to eat” or specifying a particular meal, use the alternatives. Keep it simple, keep it practical, and you'll be speaking like a local in no time.
دليل النطق
- Not emphasizing the 'chī' and 'fàn' correctly.
- Mispronouncing the 'le' as a separate word instead of a particle.
أمثلة حسب المستوى
妈，我饿了！我们什么时候吃饭了？
Mom, I'm hungry! When are we eating?
孩子们，别玩了，快过来吃饭了！
Kids, stop playing, come quickly, it's time to eat!
我刚到家，还没来得及休息就听到妈妈喊“吃饭了！”
I just got home, and before I could even rest, I heard Mom shout, 'Time to eat!'
工作了一上午，终于可以吃饭了。
After working all morning, it's finally time to eat.
等我五分钟，马上就吃饭了。
Give me five minutes, it'll be time to eat very soon.
今天加班到很晚，一回家我就想赶快吃饭了。
I worked late overtime today, as soon as I got home I wanted to eat quickly.
外面下雨了，我们先进屋吃饭了。
It's raining outside, let's go inside to eat.
别看了，电影都结束了，该吃饭了。
Stop watching, the movie's over, it's time to eat.
妈，我今天下午有很多会，可能要晚点吃饭了。
Mom, I have a lot of meetings this afternoon, so I might eat later.
孩子们，快来洗手，准备吃饭了！
Kids, come wash your hands, it's time to eat!
我刚跑完步，现在感觉肚子很饿，终于可以吃饭了。
I just finished my run, I'm starving now, finally time to eat.
加班到这么晚，幸好同事给我带了晚餐，不然真的要饿坏了才能吃饭了。
Working overtime so late, luckily my colleague brought me dinner, otherwise I would have been starving before eating.
等我把这个文件处理完，咱们就吃饭了，别急。
Once I finish processing this document, we'll eat, don't rush.
外婆做的饭菜真香，我闻到味道就知道该吃饭了。
Grandma's cooking smells so good, I know it's time to eat just by the smell.
旅行了一天，大家都累了，一回到酒店就想吃饭了。
After a day of traveling, everyone was tired, and as soon as we got back to the hotel, we wanted to eat.
别光顾着玩游戏，看时间，你该吃饭了，不然饭菜就凉了。
Don't just focus on playing games, look at the time, you should eat, otherwise the food will get cold.
妈，您看，孩子们都饿了，咱们也赶紧吃饭了吧！
Mom, look, the children are all hungry, let's eat quickly!
别光顾着玩了，赶紧回家吃饭了，你奶奶都等急了。
Don't just focus on playing, hurry home to eat, your grandma is getting impatient waiting.
我刚到家，就闻到了饭菜的香味，心想，可算是能吃饭了！
As soon as I got home, I smelled the aroma of the food and thought, 'Finally, it's time to eat!'
加班到现在，肚子都咕咕叫了，终于可以吃饭了。
Working overtime until now, my stomach is rumbling, finally I can eat.
今天忙了一天，筋疲力尽，就盼着能回家好好吃饭了。
I've been busy all day, exhausted, just looking forward to going home and having a good meal.
饭菜都凉了，还不过来吃饭了？
The food is getting cold, still not coming to eat?
孩子们放学回来，第一件事就是喊：“吃饭了，我饿死了！”
When the children come home from school, the first thing they do is shout, "Time to eat, I'm starving!"
爸，您别忙活了，快过来吃饭了，菜都上齐了。
Dad, stop being busy, come quickly to eat, all the dishes are served.
يُخلط عادةً مع
吃 is the verb 'to eat'. 吃饭了 means 'time to eat' or 'it's mealtime'.
饭 means 'cooked rice' or 'meal'. 吃饭了 uses it as part of the phrase for 'eating a meal'.
了 is a particle indicating a change of state or completion. In 吃饭了, it signals that it's now time to eat.
سهل الخلط
Often confused with 'good' in English because it literally means 'good eat'.
Specifically means 'tasty' or 'delicious' for food.
这个菜很好吃。(This dish is very tasty.)
Similar to 好吃, learners might think it means 'good drink'.
Specifically means 'tasty' or 'delicious' for drinks.
这杯茶很好喝。(This cup of tea is very delicious.)
Can be mistaken as a general 'good looking' like in English.
Means 'good looking' or 'pretty' for things you see, like movies, clothes, or people.
这部电影很好看。(This movie is very good to watch.)
Often translated directly as 'good listen'.
Specifically means 'pleasant to listen to' for sounds, music, or voices.
这首歌很好听。(This song is very pleasant to listen to.)
Direct translation 'good play' can be misleading.
Means 'fun' or 'amusing' for activities or places.
这个公园很好玩。(This park is very fun.)
عائلة الكلمة
الأسماء
الأفعال
نصائح
Literal Meaning
The phrase 吃饭了 (chī fàn le) literally translates to 'eat food now'. 吃 means 'to eat', 饭 means 'rice' or 'meal', and 了 indicates a change of state or completion, in this case, that it's now time for the action.
Common Usage
This is a very common and practical phrase used to announce that a meal is ready or that it's mealtime. Think of it as the Chinese equivalent of 'Dinner's ready!' or 'Lunchtime!'
Versatile for Any Meal
You can use 吃饭了 for any meal – breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's not specific to 'dinner' like some English phrases might be.
Calling Others to Eat
It's often used when you're calling family members or friends to come and eat together. For example, a parent might say to their child, '吃饭了！ (Chī fàn le!)' meaning 'Time to eat!'
Answering with Affirmation
If someone says 吃饭了 to you, a common response to confirm you heard and are coming would be '好！ (Hǎo!)' meaning 'Okay!' or '来了！ (Lái le!)' meaning 'Coming!'
Importance of Meals
In Chinese culture, sharing meals is a significant social activity. This phrase reflects the communal aspect of eating.
Don't Overthink 'Rice'
While 饭 (fàn) means 'rice', in this context, it broadly refers to 'a meal' or 'food' in general, not just actual rice. So, it's not specific to rice dishes.
Not a Question
吃饭了 is a statement, not a question. If you want to ask 'Have you eaten yet?', you would say '你吃饭了吗？ (Nǐ chī fàn le ma?)' which is different.
Practice Pronunciation
Pay attention to the tones: 吃 (chī) is first tone, 饭 (fàn) is fourth tone, and 了 (le) is a neutral tone. Practicing the full phrase helps with flow.
Adding an Object
While often used on its own, you can specify what you're eating. For example, '吃面了 (Chī miàn le)' means 'Time to eat noodles!' or '吃饺子了 (Chī jiǎozi le)' means 'Time to eat dumplings!'
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةGreat question! While both relate to eating, they have different nuances. 吃饭了 (chī fàn le) literally means 'have eaten' but is commonly used as an exclamation to announce 'time to eat!' or 'food is ready!' It's a general announcement. 我要吃饭 (wǒ yào chī fàn) means 'I want to eat' or 'I'm going to eat.' This is a personal statement about your intention to eat.
Absolutely! It's very common to use 吃饭了 (chī fàn le) as an invitation. For example, if you've just finished cooking, you can say, '吃饭了！' to your family or friends, meaning 'Dinner's ready, let's eat!'
Generally, 吃饭了 (chī fàn le) refers to main meals like breakfast, lunch, or dinner. For snacks, you'd typically use different phrases, like '吃点心了' (chī diǎnxīn le - time for a snack) or '吃零食了' (chī língshí le - time for snacks).
To ask if someone has eaten, you'd say, '你吃饭了吗？' (nǐ chī fàn le ma?). This literally means 'Have you eaten yet?' It's a common greeting in Chinese culture, similar to 'How are you?'
Good question! If you're ready to eat, you can say, '来了！' (lái le - Coming!) or '好的！' (hǎo de - Okay!). If you've already eaten or aren't hungry, you could say, '我吃过了' (wǒ chī guò le - I've eaten already) or '我还不饿' (wǒ hái bù è - I'm not hungry yet).
吃饭了 (chī fàn le) is quite informal and used among family and close friends. In a formal setting, you might use something more polite like '请用餐' (qǐng yòngcān - Please enjoy your meal) or '准备用餐了' (zhǔnbèi yòngcān le - Meals are ready).
That's a common point of confusion! The particle 了 (le) has multiple functions. In 吃饭了 (chī fàn le), it indicates a change of state or the emergence of a new situation – in this case, the food is ready and it's time to eat. It doesn't necessarily mean the action of eating is finished.
While 吃饭了 (chī fàn le) is widely understood across China, subtle regional variations in tone or accompanying phrases might exist. However, its core meaning of 'time to eat' remains consistent.
After eating, a polite way to say 'I'm full' is '我吃饱了' (wǒ chī bǎo le). The character 饱 (bǎo) specifically means 'full' or 'satiated' from eating.
Yes, you can. If you're with friends and deciding to go out for a meal, you could say, '我们去外面吃饭了！' (wǒmen qù wàimiàn chīfàn le! - Let's go eat out now!). Here, 吃饭了 still signals the 'time to eat' aspect, but the context indicates it's happening outside.
اختبر نفسك 42 أسئلة
Write a short sentence telling someone it's time to eat.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
妈妈，吃饭了！ (Mom, time to eat!)
You are hungry and want to suggest eating. How do you say 'Time to eat'?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我饿了，吃饭了！ (I'm hungry, time to eat!)
Your friend asks what you're doing. You're about to eat. Respond by saying 'Time to eat.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我吃饭了。 (Time to eat.)
What did Xiao Ming tell Xiao Hong?
Read this passage:
小明对小红说："吃饭了！" 小红回答："好的。"
What did Xiao Ming tell Xiao Hong?
小明对小红说 '吃饭了' means Xiao Ming told Xiao Hong 'Time to eat'.
小明对小红说 '吃饭了' means Xiao Ming told Xiao Hong 'Time to eat'.
What did Mom ask you to do?
Read this passage:
妈妈叫我："吃饭了！" 我去了厨房。
What did Mom ask you to do?
妈妈叫我 '吃饭了' means Mom asked me to 'eat'.
妈妈叫我 '吃饭了' means Mom asked me to 'eat'.
Where did they eat?
Read this passage:
外面下雨了，我们在家吃饭了。
Where did they eat?
我们在家吃饭了 means 'we ate at home'.
我们在家吃饭了 means 'we ate at home'.
Choose the best response when someone says "吃饭了!"
"吃饭了!" means "Time to eat!" so a common and appropriate response is to agree to eat.
Which situation would you most likely hear "吃饭了"?
"吃饭了" is a common phrase used to announce that a meal is ready and it's time to eat.
What is the English meaning of "吃饭了"?
The phrase "吃饭了" directly translates to "Time to eat" or "It's time to eat."
You can say "吃饭了" when you are finished with your meal.
"吃饭了" means "Time to eat" or "It's time to eat," indicating the beginning of a meal, not the end.
If your friend says "吃饭了" when you visit their home, they are inviting you to eat.
It's a common way to invite someone to join a meal, especially in a home setting.
The phrase "吃饭了" is only used for breakfast.
"吃饭了" can be used for any meal of the day, not just breakfast.
妈妈说：'___，快去洗手！'
The context implies it's time for a meal, and '吃饭了' means 'time to eat'.
听到铃声，小明就知道：'___！'
Bells often signal meal times in various settings, making '吃饭了' the most suitable phrase.
奶奶做好饭，喊道：'孩子们，___！'
After cooking, the natural call would be for everyone to eat.
忙了一上午，终于可以放松一下了。'___！'
After a busy morning, eating is a common and necessary break.
外面天黑了，妈妈说：'___，别玩了。'
Evening is usually when dinner is served, so '吃饭了' fits the context of 'it's getting dark'.
午饭时间到了，同事们互相说：'___！'
'吃饭了' is a common phrase to announce lunchtime among colleagues.
You are inviting a friend over for dinner. Write a short message telling them it's time to eat.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
亲爱的朋友，饭菜都准备好了，吃饭了！快过来一起吃晚餐吧。
You are at a family gathering. Write a sentence to let everyone know that dinner is ready.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
大家好，晚餐做好了，吃饭了！
You are talking to your child. Write a short sentence to tell them it's time to eat their meal.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
宝贝，快来，吃饭了！
Based on the passage, what does the mother want Xiaoming to do?
Read this passage:
妈妈：小明，别玩手机了，吃饭了！ 小明：好的，妈妈，我马上就来。
Based on the passage, what does the mother want Xiaoming to do?
The mother says '吃饭了' which means 'time to eat', and then Xiaoming replies 'I'll be right there'.
The mother says '吃饭了' which means 'time to eat', and then Xiaoming replies 'I'll be right there'.
What is the waiter telling the customer?
Read this passage:
服务员：先生，您的菜都上齐了，吃饭了。 顾客：谢谢，看起来很美味。
What is the waiter telling the customer?
The waiter says '您的菜都上齐了，吃饭了' which means 'All your dishes are served, time to eat'.
The waiter says '您的菜都上齐了，吃饭了' which means 'All your dishes are served, time to eat'.
What is the grandmother calling the children for?
Read this passage:
奶奶：孩子们，都过来，吃饭了！ 孩子们：来了！
What is the grandmother calling the children for?
The grandmother says '吃饭了' which means 'time to eat', and the children respond with '来了' meaning 'coming'.
The grandmother says '吃饭了' which means 'time to eat', and the children respond with '来了' meaning 'coming'.
This sentence means 'We should eat now.' The structure is Subject + Adverb of Time + Auxiliary Verb + Verb + 了.
This means 'Are you hungry? It's time for us to eat.' '你饿了吗' is a common way to ask if someone is hungry, followed by a suggestion to eat.
This translates to 'Mom called me to go home to eat.' The structure '叫 someone do something' is used for asking or telling someone to do something.
Imagine you're inviting a new Chinese friend over for dinner. Write a short message telling them it's time to eat, and briefly mention what you've prepared.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
你好！吃饭了。我准备了一些饺子和炒饭，希望你喜欢！ (Hello! Time to eat. I've prepared some dumplings and fried rice, hope you like it!)
You are at a family gathering. Your little cousin is playing and doesn't notice that dinner is ready. Write what you would say to get their attention and tell them it's time to eat.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
小明，别玩了，吃饭了！快过来。 (Xiao Ming, stop playing, it's time to eat! Come quickly.)
You're sharing a funny story with a friend about a time you were so hungry you almost forgot your manners when someone told you '吃饭了'. Describe the situation and your reaction.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我记得有一次，我特别饿。朋友一说“吃饭了”，我马上就冲到桌子旁，差点忘了洗手。 (I remember one time, I was extremely hungry. As soon as my friend said 'Time to eat', I immediately rushed to the table, almost forgetting to wash my hands.)
根据对话，哪个孩子在对话发生时还没有洗手？ (According to the dialogue, which child has not washed their hands when the conversation takes place?)
Read this passage:
妈妈：孩子们，吃饭了！ 小明：来了来了，我马上就去。 小红：等等我，我还没洗手呢。 妈妈：快点，饭菜都快凉了。
根据对话，哪个孩子在对话发生时还没有洗手？ (According to the dialogue, which child has not washed their hands when the conversation takes place?)
小红说“等等我，我还没洗手呢”，表明她还没有洗手。 (Xiao Hong said 'Wait for me, I haven't washed my hands yet,' indicating she hasn't washed her hands yet.)
小红说“等等我，我还没洗手呢”，表明她还没有洗手。 (Xiao Hong said 'Wait for me, I haven't washed my hands yet,' indicating she hasn't washed her hands yet.)
从这段文字中可以看出，作者当时的心情如何？ (From this passage, what can be inferred about the author's mood at that time?)
Read this passage:
今天工作特别忙，到了中午我才想起还没吃早饭。同事看我脸色不好，就问我：“你是不是饿了？我们吃饭了！” 我一听，感觉整个人都活过来了。
从这段文字中可以看出，作者当时的心情如何？ (From this passage, what can be inferred about the author's mood at that time?)
文章提到“工作特别忙”，“还没吃早饭”，以及“脸色不好”，都表明作者感到疲惫和饥饿。听到“吃饭了”才“活过来了”，进一步证实了这一点。 (The passage mentions 'work was especially busy,' 'hadn't eaten breakfast yet,' and 'looking unwell,' all indicating the author was tired and hungry. Hearing 'Time to eat' made them 'come alive,' further confirming this.)
文章提到“工作特别忙”，“还没吃早饭”，以及“脸色不好”，都表明作者感到疲惫和饥饿。听到“吃饭了”才“活过来了”，进一步证实了这一点。 (The passage mentions 'work was especially busy,' 'hadn't eaten breakfast yet,' and 'looking unwell,' all indicating the author was tired and hungry. Hearing 'Time to eat' made them 'come alive,' further confirming this.)
根据这段文字，在中文语境中，“吃饭了”除了字面意思外，还可能包含什么深层含义？ (According to this passage, besides its literal meaning, what deeper meaning might '吃饭了' convey in a Chinese context?)
Read this passage:
在中国家庭里，当大人说“吃饭了”的时候，这不仅仅是通知大家食物已经准备好，更是一种召唤，象征着家庭成员团聚的时刻。即使再忙，大家也会放下手头的工作，一起围坐在餐桌旁。
根据这段文字，在中文语境中，“吃饭了”除了字面意思外，还可能包含什么深层含义？ (According to this passage, besides its literal meaning, what deeper meaning might '吃饭了' convey in a Chinese context?)
文章明确指出“更是一种召唤，象征着家庭成员团聚的时刻”，强调了“吃饭了”在家庭聚会中的文化意义。 (The passage explicitly states 'it's more of a summons, symbolizing the time for family members to reunite,' emphasizing the cultural significance of '吃饭了' in family gatherings.)
文章明确指出“更是一种召唤，象征着家庭成员团聚的时刻”，强调了“吃饭了”在家庭聚会中的文化意义。 (The passage explicitly states 'it's more of a summons, symbolizing the time for family members to reunite,' emphasizing the cultural significance of '吃饭了' in family gatherings.)
A child asks their mother if dinner is ready.
Someone expresses relief about finally being able to eat after working overtime.
Someone tells others to wash their hands because it's time to eat.
Read this aloud:
你饿了吗？我们吃饭了。
Focus: 饿, 饭
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
大家都到齐了，可以吃饭了。
Focus: 到齐, 可以
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
辛苦了一天，终于可以坐下来吃饭了。
Focus: 辛苦, 坐下来
قلت:
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Summary
“吃饭了” is a direct and friendly way to call people to the table for a meal.
- Common phrase
- Informal
- Announces mealtime
Literal Meaning
The phrase 吃饭了 (chī fàn le) literally translates to 'eat food now'. 吃 means 'to eat', 饭 means 'rice' or 'meal', and 了 indicates a change of state or completion, in this case, that it's now time for the action.
Common Usage
This is a very common and practical phrase used to announce that a meal is ready or that it's mealtime. Think of it as the Chinese equivalent of 'Dinner's ready!' or 'Lunchtime!'
Versatile for Any Meal
You can use 吃饭了 for any meal – breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's not specific to 'dinner' like some English phrases might be.
Calling Others to Eat
It's often used when you're calling family members or friends to come and eat together. For example, a parent might say to their child, '吃饭了！ (Chī fàn le!)' meaning 'Time to eat!'
