Meaning
Cooked dishes or food served at a meal.
Cultural Background
The term is ubiquitous in daily life. It is the standard way to refer to the food on the table. Similar usage, though sometimes people might use {菜|cài} more broadly to refer to the whole meal. While Cantonese is spoken, the term {飯菜|fàncài} is understood, though locals might use {餸|sòng} for dishes. Used to maintain a connection to home-style cooking in foreign countries.
Context is Key
Always use {饭菜|fàncài} when you are talking about the food that is served at a meal. It makes you sound much more natural than using {食物|shíwù}.
Social Bonding
In China, talking about {饭菜|fàncài} is a great way to start a conversation. Everyone eats, and everyone has an opinion on food!
Meaning
Cooked dishes or food served at a meal.
Context is Key
Always use {饭菜|fàncài} when you are talking about the food that is served at a meal. It makes you sound much more natural than using {食物|shíwù}.
Social Bonding
In China, talking about {饭菜|fàncài} is a great way to start a conversation. Everyone eats, and everyone has an opinion on food!
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct word.
{妈妈|māma} {做|zuò} {的|de} ______ {很|hěn} {好吃|hǎochī}。
{饭菜|fàncài} refers to the cooked meal prepared by someone.
Choose the correct context for {饭菜|fàncài}.
Which situation is best for using {饭菜|fàncài}?
{饭菜|fàncài} is for prepared, cooked meals.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {饭菜|fàncài} {做|zuò} {好|hǎo} {了|le} {吗|ma}? B: ______
This is the most logical response to a question about whether the meal is ready.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercises{妈妈|māma} {做|zuò} {的|de} ______ {很|hěn} {好吃|hǎochī}。
{饭菜|fàncài} refers to the cooked meal prepared by someone.
Which situation is best for using {饭菜|fàncài}?
{饭菜|fàncài} is for prepared, cooked meals.
A: {饭菜|fàncài} {做|zuò} {好|hǎo} {了|le} {吗|ma}? B: ______
This is the most logical response to a question about whether the meal is ready.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsYes, it can refer to any meal, though it's most commonly used for lunch or dinner.
Chinese nouns don't have plural forms. {饭菜|fàncài} can refer to one dish or many dishes.
{饭菜|fàncài} is the whole meal; {菜|cài} is just the dish.
Related Phrases
{做饭|zuòfàn}
builds onTo cook a meal
{吃饭|chīfàn}
builds onTo eat a meal
{家常菜|jiāchángcài}
specialized formHome-style cooking
{食物|shíwù}
contrastFood (general)
