In 15 Seconds
- Use it to ask for a doggy bag at any restaurant.
- Use it when packing suitcases or boxes for a move.
- It covers both physical packing and digital file compression.
Meaning
It literally means to wrap things into a bundle. You use it most often when you want a doggy bag at a restaurant or when you are packing your bags for a trip.
Key Examples
3 of 6At a restaurant with a lot of food left
服务员，请帮我打包。
Waiter, please help me wrap this up.
Talking to a roommate before a trip
我还没打包行李呢，真头疼。
I haven't packed my luggage yet, what a headache.
In a professional office setting
请把这些文件打包发给我。
Please zip these files and send them to me.
Cultural Background
The phrase reflects a modern shift in Chinese society toward sustainability and frugality. While once potentially embarrassing, 'dabaoing' leftovers is now a social norm encouraged by the government and social media influencers to reduce food waste. It also highlights the Chinese pragmatic approach to language, using a simple 'hit and wrap' construction for a variety of tasks.
The Box Fee
In China, many restaurants charge a small fee (1-2 RMB) for the `打包盒` (packing box). Don't be surprised if your bill is slightly higher!
Not for Gifts
Never use `打包` when talking about wrapping a gift for a wedding or birthday; it sounds too much like you're putting it in a cardboard box.
In 15 Seconds
- Use it to ask for a doggy bag at any restaurant.
- Use it when packing suitcases or boxes for a move.
- It covers both physical packing and digital file compression.
What It Means
打包 is your go-to phrase for wrapping things up. Think of it as the ultimate 'bundle' verb. In a restaurant, it means you want to take your leftovers home. In an office, it might mean compressing files into a zip folder. At home, it means putting your life into boxes for a big move. It is simple, punchy, and incredibly useful.
How To Use It
Using it is a breeze. Just say the word and people know exactly what you mean. In a restaurant, you can catch the waiter's eye and say 我要打包. You can also use it as a noun-verb combo. For example, 打包行李 means packing your luggage. It is a very active verb. It implies the physical act of gathering things together and securing them.
When To Use It
Use it whenever there is food left on the table. Chinese culture values not wasting food. Asking to 打包 is actually seen as being responsible and respectful. Use it when you are preparing for a vacation. Use it when you are sending a large batch of files over email. It is perfect for any situation involving containment.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for wrapping a delicate gift. For a birthday present, use 包装 instead. 打包 sounds a bit too industrial or messy for a beautiful gift. Also, do not use it when you are 'wrapping up' a meeting or a speech. In those cases, you should use 结束 or 总结. If you say 打包 at the end of a speech, people might think you are literally packing your microphone into a box.
Cultural Background
In the past, bringing leftovers home was sometimes seen as a sign of poverty. That has completely flipped. Today, the 'Clear Your Plate' campaign in China makes 打包 a badge of honor. It shows you are trendy and eco-conscious. In some fancy restaurants, they might even have beautiful designer bags just for your 打包 leftovers. It has become a standard part of the dining ritual.
Common Variations
If you are ordering food to-go from the start, you might hear 带走. While 打包 works, 带走 is more specific to 'takeout' rather than 'leftovers.' In the tech world, you will hear people talk about 打包软件 which means bundling software. If you are in a rush, just pointing at the food and saying 打包 is the ultimate survival hack.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile and works in almost any setting. Just remember that it focuses on the utility of packing rather than the aesthetics.
The Box Fee
In China, many restaurants charge a small fee (1-2 RMB) for the `打包盒` (packing box). Don't be surprised if your bill is slightly higher!
Not for Gifts
Never use `打包` when talking about wrapping a gift for a wedding or birthday; it sounds too much like you're putting it in a cardboard box.
The 'Dabao' Pride
Asking to `打包` at a business dinner is now seen as a sign of good character and 'face' because it shows you respect the host's money.
Examples
6服务员，请帮我打包。
Waiter, please help me wrap this up.
The most common way to ask for a doggy bag.
我还没打包行李呢，真头疼。
I haven't packed my luggage yet, what a headache.
Refers to the physical act of packing a suitcase.
请把这些文件打包发给我。
Please zip these files and send them to me.
Commonly used for digital file compression (zip/rar).
搬家太累了，我打包了一整天。
Moving is so tiring, I've been packing all day.
Refers to packing boxes for a move.
把他的一切都打包扔掉！
Pack up all his stuff and throw it away!
Used figuratively to mean getting rid of someone's belongings.
打包的时候，我发现了很多旧照片。
While packing, I discovered many old photos.
Refers to the nostalgic process of clearing out a space.
Test Yourself
You are at a restaurant and want to take the remaining pizza home.
这些菜没吃完，我想 ___。
`打包` is the specific term for taking leftovers home. `打球` means playing ball and `打开` means to open.
You are telling your boss you will send the compressed files.
我会把资料 ___ 发到您的邮箱。
In a digital context, `打包` means to zip or bundle files together.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 打包
Shouting to a street food vendor
老板，打包！
Asking a waiter in a standard restaurant
麻烦帮我打包一下。
Sending digital files to a client
文件已经打包好了。
Where to use 打包
Restaurant
Leftovers
Bedroom
Suitcases
Office
Zip files
New House
Moving boxes
Practice Bank
2 exercises这些菜没吃完，我想 ___。
`打包` is the specific term for taking leftovers home. `打球` means playing ball and `打开` means to open.
我会把资料 ___ 发到您的邮箱。
In a digital context, `打包` means to zip or bundle files together.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, you can, but 外带 or 带走 is more common for ordering to-go. 打包 usually implies wrapping up what is already on the table.
Not at all! It is very common in China. Even at high-end banquets, people will 打包 the expensive dishes like abalone or fish.
打包 is for transport or storage (boxes, bags). 包装 is for presentation or protection (gift wrap, product packaging).
You call it a 打包盒 (dǎ bāo hé). You might ask, 可以给我一个打包盒吗？
Only humorously. You might say 把你打包带走 (pack you up and take you away) to a cute baby or a loved one.
Yes, the meaning is identical. It is a universal term across the Mandarin-speaking world.
It means to compress multiple files into one, like a .zip or .rar file. You'll hear 打包下载 for 'batch download'.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends, but it is also perfectly fine to use in a business email regarding logistics.
Use the word 包 (bāo) or 包装 (bāo zhuāng). For example, 帮我包一下这个礼物.
Usually, we use 带饭 or 准备便当. 打包 implies putting things into a container to move them elsewhere, rather than the daily routine of a lunchbox.
Related Phrases
带走
To take away / To-go
行李
Luggage
包装
Packaging / To wrap a gift
外卖
Takeout / Delivery food
