吃饱了。

Use it when you finish eating. You can say it to yourself while patting your stomach. You can say it to a waiter when they ask if you want more. It often follows a compliment about the food. For example, 'The dumplings were great, 我吃饱了!' It is very flexible. You don't need a complex sentence. Just these three words do the trick.

Use it at a restaurant when the server hovers. Use it at a friend's house after a big dinner. It is perfect for family gatherings. If someone offers you a second helping, this is your polite exit. It works in texts too. If a friend asks if you want lunch, you can reply with this if you already ate.

Don't use it in a very formal business banquet too early. It might sound like you are rushing to leave. Avoid saying it with a grumpy face. People might think you didn't like the food. If you are at a fancy gala, maybe use a more formal 'I am finished.' Also, don't use it if you are only halfway through your plate. It sounds a bit final!

Food is the ultimate love language in China. In the past, food was scarce. Asking 'Have you eaten?' became a standard greeting. Saying 吃饱了 is a sign of prosperity and health. It tells your host their hospitality was successful. It is more than just biology. It is a social 'thumbs up' to the chef.

If you are stuffed, say 吃撑了 (chī chēng le). That means you ate way too much. If you want to be extra polite to a host, say 我吃得太饱了. This adds emphasis to your satisfaction. You might also hear 饱了饱了 (bǎo le bǎo le). Doubling the word makes it sound more casual and friendly. It’s like saying 'I'm good, really!'