A2 noun 5 min read

打包盒

dǎ bāo hé

打包盒 (dǎbāohé) is the standard Chinese term for a takeaway box or doggy bag.

打包盒 in 30 Seconds

  • Commonly used for restaurant leftovers.
  • Essential for takeout orders.
  • Helps reduce food waste.

§ What does it mean and when do people use it?

Alright, let's talk about 打包盒 (dābāohé). Simply put, this word means 'takeaway box' or 'doggy bag' in Chinese. It's a super practical term you'll hear and use a lot in China, especially if you enjoy eating out or ordering food.

DEFINITION
takeaway box

When do people use it? Pretty much anytime they have leftovers at a restaurant, or when they're getting food to go. Imagine you're at a delicious restaurant, and you've ordered too much (it happens to the best of us!). Instead of letting that good food go to waste, you'll ask for a 打包盒 to take it home. Or, if you're stopping by a restaurant specifically to grab food for later, you'll also be dealing with 打包盒.

It's not just for restaurants either. You might also hear this term in a broader sense for any container used to pack food for carrying away. Think about street food vendors or even some supermarkets that pre-package meals. The container they use? That's often a 打包盒.

服务员,请给我一个打包盒,谢谢。(fúwùyuán, qǐng gěi wǒ yī ge dābāohé, xièxie.)

Let's break down the characters a little to help you remember. '打' (dǎ) can mean 'to hit' or 'to pack'. In this context, it means 'to pack'. '包' (bāo) means 'bag' or 'package'. And '盒' (hé) means 'box'. So, literally, it's a 'pack bag box' or a 'packing box'. See how it makes sense?

Understanding 打包盒 is pretty essential for anyone navigating daily life in a Chinese-speaking environment. Whether you're a food lover, a traveler, or just someone trying to be thrifty with your leftovers, this word will come in handy time and time again. Don't be shy to ask for one! It's completely normal and expected.

这份饭太多了,我需要一个打包盒。(zhè fèn fàn tài duō le, wǒ xūyào yī ge dābāohé.)

Sometimes, you might also hear just '打包' (dābāo) which means 'to pack up' or 'to take away'. When you say '打包' in a restaurant context, it implies you want a box for your food. So, '打包盒' is the specific container, while '打包' is the action of taking food to go. Both are important to know.

  • When you're at a restaurant and want to take leftovers: use 打包盒.
  • When you're buying food specifically to eat later, away from the venue: use 打包盒.
  • When referring to the actual container: use 打包盒.

So, next time you're in China and have some delicious food left over, confidently ask for a 打包盒. You'll sound natural, and you'll save your tasty meal for later. It's a small word, but a mighty useful one in your Chinese vocabulary arsenal. Keep practicing!

§ What is 打包盒?

You're out enjoying a fantastic meal at a Chinese restaurant. Maybe you ordered too much, or maybe the portions are just generous (a common thing in China!). You're full, but there's still delicious food left. What do you do? You ask for a 打包盒 (dǎ bāo hé), a takeaway box. It's that simple.

This word is super practical and you'll hear it often in daily life, especially when eating out. It directly translates to 'pack up box' or 'takeaway box'. It's not fancy, it's just what it is.

DEFINITION
takeaway box

§ Asking for a Takeaway Box

When you're at a restaurant, you'll most often use 打包盒 to ask for a container to take your leftovers home. Here's how you might hear or say it:

服务员,可以给我一个打包盒吗? (Fúwùyuán, kěyǐ gěi wǒ yīgè dǎ bāo hé ma?)

  • 服务员 (fúwùyuán): waiter/waitress
  • 可以 (kěyǐ): can/may
  • 给我 (gěi wǒ): give me
  • 一个 (yīgè): one (of something)
  • 吗 (ma): question particle

This translates to: "Waiter, can you give me a takeaway box?" It's polite and direct. You can also simply say:

我要一个打包盒。(Wǒ yào yīgè dǎ bāo hé.)

  • 我 (wǒ): I
  • 要 (yào): want

Which means: "I want a takeaway box." This is also perfectly acceptable in a casual setting.

§ Hearing it in Conversations

You might also hear friends discussing it, like after a group meal:

这些菜太多了,我们是不是要几个打包盒? (Zhèxiē cài tài duō le, wǒmen shì bu shì yào jǐ gè dǎ bāo hé?)

  • 这些菜 (zhèxiē cài): these dishes
  • 太多了 (tài duō le): too much
  • 我们 (wǒmen): we
  • 是不是 (shì bu shì): isn't it / aren't we (a way to ask for confirmation)
  • 要 (yào): want
  • 几个 (jǐ gè): a few

Meaning: "There's too much food, should we get a few takeaway boxes?"

§ At the Supermarket or Convenience Store

You might even encounter 打包盒 in supermarkets or convenience stores if they sell prepared meals. For example, if you buy some noodles or a bento box, they might come in a 打包盒.

这个快餐打包盒很方便。(Zhège kuàicān dǎ bāo hé hěn fāngbiàn.)

  • 这个 (zhège): this
  • 快餐 (kuàicān): fast food
  • 很方便 (hěn fāngbiàn): very convenient

Meaning: "This fast food takeaway box is very convenient."

In summary, 打包盒 is a truly essential word for anyone eating out in Chinese-speaking regions. It's part of the everyday vocabulary that makes your life easier and ensures no good food goes to waste.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"请提供一个餐盒,以便我将剩余的食物带走。"

Neutral

"我需要一个打包盒来装剩下的菜。"

Informal

"老板,给我个饭盒呗,这汤好喝!"

Child friendly

"妈妈,我可以把我的小饭盒装满饭吗?"

Examples by Level

1

服务员,麻烦给我一个打包盒,这份饭我吃不完了。

Waiter, please give me a takeaway box, I can't finish this meal.

2

这家餐厅的打包盒设计得很漂亮,还很环保。

The takeaway boxes at this restaurant are beautifully designed and environmentally friendly.

3

我忘了带打包盒,只能在这里吃完饭了。

I forgot to bring a takeaway box, so I can only finish eating here.

4

请问你们有没有大一点的打包盒?我想把这些菜都带走。

Excuse me, do you have a bigger takeaway box? I want to take all these dishes with me.

5

这个打包盒的密封性很好,汤汁不会漏出来。

This takeaway box is well-sealed, so the soup won't leak out.

6

为了减少浪费,很多餐厅都鼓励顾客使用自带的打包盒。

To reduce waste, many restaurants encourage customers to use their own takeaway boxes.

7

打包盒的价格通常是每只一元钱。

The price of a takeaway box is usually one yuan per piece.

8

你可以把吃不完的剩菜装在打包盒里,带回家当宵夜。

You can put the leftover food you can't finish in a takeaway box and take it home for a late-night snack.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Both refer to containers for food. 打包盒 (dǎbāo hé) specifically means a takeaway box, often provided by restaurants for customers to take food home. 饭盒 (fànhé) is a more general term for a lunchbox or food container that you might bring from home to work or school.

While technically you could, 打包盒 typically refers to the disposable boxes you get from a restaurant. For storing leftovers at home, you'd more commonly use 保鲜盒 (bǎoxiān hé - fresh-keeping box/food container) or just 饭盒 (fànhé).

You can say: “请给我一个打包盒。” (Qǐng gěi wǒ yīgè dǎbāo hé.) which means "Please give me a takeaway box." Or simply, “我要打包。” (Wǒ yào dǎbāo.) meaning "I want to pack (it) up/take it away." The staff will understand.

Yes, 打包盒 almost always refers to disposable containers, usually made of plastic, styrofoam, or cardboard, that you get from restaurants. If you're looking for reusable containers, you'd use a different term.

Yes, while the term 打包盒 is general, the actual boxes can vary in material (plastic, paper, aluminum foil) and shape depending on the food. You might see specific types like 纸质打包盒 (zhǐzhì dǎbāo hé - paper takeaway box) or 塑料打包盒 (sùliào dǎbāo hé - plastic takeaway box), but usually, just 打包盒 is enough.

打包 (dǎbāo) is a verb that means 'to pack up,' 'to bag,' or 'to get (food) to go/takeaway.' So, 打包盒 is literally a 'packing-up box' or 'takeaway box'.

No, 打包盒 specifically refers to a container for food from a restaurant. If you're packing other items, you'd use terms like 箱子 (xiāngzi - box) or 袋子 (dàizi - bag).

Yes, it's very common and perfectly normal to ask for a 打包盒 if you have leftovers at a restaurant. It's a widely accepted practice to avoid food waste.

Sometimes, yes. Many restaurants will charge a small fee (a few RMB) for a 打包盒, especially for plastic or more substantial ones. It's usually a negligible amount.

If you forget your own container, you can still ask for a 打包盒 at the restaurant. They will provide one for you, potentially with a small charge as mentioned before.

Test Yourself 42 questions

sentence order A1

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 请给我一个打包盒

The standard word order in Chinese is Subject-Verb-Object. Here, '请' (qǐng) means please, '给' (gěi) means give, '我' (wǒ) means me, and '一个打包盒' (yī gè dábāo hé) means 'one takeaway box'.

sentence order A1

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 这个打包盒是免费的吗

To ask a yes/no question in Chinese, you often add '吗' (ma) at the end of a statement. '这个' (zhège) means 'this', '打包盒' (dábāo hé) is 'takeaway box', '是' (shì) is 'is/are', and '免费的' (miǎnfèi de) means 'free'.

sentence order A1

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 我需要两个打包盒

Again, Subject-Verb-Object. '我' (wǒ) is 'I', '需要' (xūyào) is 'need', and '两个打包盒' (liǎng gè dábāo hé) means 'two takeaway boxes'. Remember to use '个' (gè) as a measure word for most nouns.

sentence order A2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 请给我一个打包盒

This means 'Please give me a takeaway box.' A common request in restaurants.

sentence order A2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 这个打包盒是免费的吗

Asking 'Is this takeaway box free?' is useful to avoid unexpected charges.

sentence order A2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 我想把剩菜打包用打包盒

This translates to 'I want to pack the leftover food using a takeaway box.'

fill blank B1

吃饭完,服务员给了我一个___把剩菜带回家。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 打包盒

The sentence describes taking leftover food home, which requires a '打包盒' (takeaway box).

fill blank B1

这家餐厅的___很实用,可以把热腾腾的食物安全带走。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 打包盒

'打包盒' (takeaway box) is the most appropriate item for safely carrying hot food from a restaurant.

fill blank B1

我忘记带___了,只好把剩下的蛋糕放在餐巾纸里。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 打包盒

The context implies the need for a container to take leftover cake, making '打包盒' (takeaway box) the correct choice.

fill blank B1

为了环保,很多咖啡店现在使用可降解的___。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 打包盒

In the context of environmental protection, biodegradable '打包盒' (takeaway boxes) are a common choice for food establishments.

fill blank B1

服务员问我需不需要一个___来装剩下的披萨。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 打包盒

When asking about packing leftover pizza, '打包盒' (takeaway box) is the specific term used.

fill blank B1

请给我一个___,我想把这些面条带回家吃。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 打包盒

To take noodles home to eat, one would ask for a '打包盒' (takeaway box).

writing B2

Imagine you're at a restaurant and want to take your leftover food home. Write a short dialogue (2-3 sentences) asking for a takeaway box. Include a polite request and a question about cost if applicable.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

服务员,您好,请问可以给我一个打包盒吗?这个需要另外收费吗? (Hello, waiter, may I please have a takeaway box? Does this cost extra?)

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing B2

You are packing a picnic. Write a short paragraph (2-3 sentences) describing what food you are putting into a takeaway box to bring to the picnic.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

今天野餐,我准备了一些三明治和水果放在打包盒里。这样方便携带,也保持食物新鲜。(Today for the picnic, I prepared some sandwiches and fruit and put them in a takeaway box. This makes them easy to carry and keeps the food fresh.)

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing B2

You just finished a meal at a friend's house. Your friend offers you some leftovers to take home. Write a short appreciative response (2-3 sentences) accepting the offer and mentioning the takeaway box.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

谢谢你,这些菜真的很好吃。我用打包盒把剩下的带回家,省得你麻烦了。(Thank you, these dishes were really delicious. I'll take the leftovers home in a takeaway box, so you don't have to bother.)

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
reading B2

为什么商家决定用更结实的打包盒? (Why did the merchant decide to use a sturdier takeaway box?)

Read this passage:

小明点了一份外卖,但是送来的时候发现饭菜洒出来了。他赶紧联系了商家,商家说会重新给他送一份,并且会用更结实的打包盒。(Xiao Ming ordered takeout, but when it arrived, he found that the food had spilled. He quickly contacted the merchant, who said they would send him another order, and would use a sturdier takeaway box.)

为什么商家决定用更结实的打包盒? (Why did the merchant decide to use a sturdier takeaway box?)

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 因为饭菜洒出来了 (Because the food spilled out)

文章中明确提到“送来的时候发现饭菜洒出来了”,所以商家为了避免再次发生这种情况,决定使用更结实的打包盒。(The passage clearly states 'when it arrived, he found that the food had spilled out', so the merchant decided to use a sturdier takeaway box to prevent this from happening again.)

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 因为饭菜洒出来了 (Because the food spilled out)

文章中明确提到“送来的时候发现饭菜洒出来了”,所以商家为了避免再次发生这种情况,决定使用更结实的打包盒。(The passage clearly states 'when it arrived, he found that the food had spilled out', so the merchant decided to use a sturdier takeaway box to prevent this from happening again.)

reading B2

顾客为什么支持使用可降解的打包盒? (Why do customers support the use of biodegradable takeaway boxes?)

Read this passage:

为了环保,很多餐厅开始使用可降解的打包盒。虽然成本会稍微高一点,但顾客普遍表示支持,认为这是对环境负责任的表现。(For environmental protection, many restaurants have started using biodegradable takeaway boxes. Although the cost is slightly higher, customers generally express support, believing it is a responsible act towards the environment.)

顾客为什么支持使用可降解的打包盒? (Why do customers support the use of biodegradable takeaway boxes?)

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 因为这是对环境负责任的表现 (Because it is a responsible act towards the environment)

文章中提到“顾客普遍表示支持,认为这是对环境负责任的表现”,直接说明了顾客支持的原因。(The passage states 'customers generally express support, believing it is a responsible act towards the environment', directly explaining the reason for customer support.)

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 因为这是对环境负责任的表现 (Because it is a responsible act towards the environment)

文章中提到“顾客普遍表示支持,认为这是对环境负责任的表现”,直接说明了顾客支持的原因。(The passage states 'customers generally express support, believing it is a responsible act towards the environment', directly explaining the reason for customer support.)

reading B2

王阿姨为什么会主动要求打包盒? (Why does Auntie Wang actively ask for a takeaway box?)

Read this passage:

王阿姨每次去餐馆吃饭,如果吃不完,都会主动要求打包盒。她觉得不浪费食物是一种美德。(Auntie Wang always actively asks for a takeaway box when she eats at a restaurant if she can't finish her meal. She believes that not wasting food is a virtue.)

王阿姨为什么会主动要求打包盒? (Why does Auntie Wang actively ask for a takeaway box?)

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 她觉得不浪费食物是一种美德 (She believes that not wasting food is a virtue)

文章中明确说明“她觉得不浪费食物是一种美德”,这是她主动要求打包盒的原因。(The passage clearly states 'she believes that not wasting food is a virtue', which is her reason for actively asking for a takeaway box.)

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 她觉得不浪费食物是一种美德 (She believes that not wasting food is a virtue)

文章中明确说明“她觉得不浪费食物是一种美德”,这是她主动要求打包盒的原因。(The passage clearly states 'she believes that not wasting food is a virtue', which is her reason for actively asking for a takeaway box.)

sentence order C1

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 请问 可以 给我 一个 打包盒 吗

This sentence asks politely for a takeaway box. The structure is: 请问 (May I ask), 可以 (can), 给我 (give me), 一个 (one), 打包盒 (takeaway box), 吗 (question particle).

sentence order C1

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 这个 打包盒 是 可降解 材料 做 的 吗

This sentence asks if the takeaway box is made of biodegradable materials. The structure is: 这个 (this), 打包盒 (takeaway box), 是 (is), 可降解 (biodegradable), 材料 (material), 做 的 (made of), 吗 (question particle).

sentence order C1

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 为了 环保 我们 鼓励 顾客 使用 可重复 利用 的 打包盒

This sentence expresses that for environmental protection, customers are encouraged to use reusable takeaway boxes. The structure is: 为了 (for), 环保 (environmental protection), 我们 (we), 鼓励 (encourage), 顾客 (customers), 使用 (to use), 可重复 利用 的 (reusable), 打包盒 (takeaway box).

multiple choice C2

在一家高档餐厅,服务员问你是否需要把剩下的食物“打包”,这意味着什么?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: A

在中文语境中,'打包' 通常指将餐厅里没吃完的食物装起来带走。因此,服务员问是否需要'打包',就是问你是否需要一个打包盒把食物带回家。

multiple choice C2

你和朋友在一家环境优雅的咖啡馆聊天,桌上放着一个精美的'打包盒'。根据语境,这个'打包盒'最不可能用来做什么?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: C

'打包盒'主要是用来装食物或饮料方便携带的容器。虽然它可以装外卖咖啡和甜点,但通常不会用来装没喝完的饮料,因为饮料有专门的杯子或瓶子。用来装小礼物虽然可能,但不是其主要功能,而选项C的情况更不符合常规使用。

multiple choice C2

在一个倡导环保的社区活动中,组织者强调要减少一次性'打包盒'的使用。他们可能会鼓励大家采取什么行动?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: B

减少一次性'打包盒'的使用是环保行动的一部分。鼓励大家使用自带的餐盒是最直接有效的措施,这可以减少对一次性打包盒的需求。

true false C2

当你购买超市里已经预包装好的便当(bento box)时,你通常不需要额外再要一个'打包盒'。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: True

预包装好的便当本身就装在盒子里,这些盒子就是其自带的'打包盒',因此不需要额外再要一个。

true false C2

在中国的餐馆,如果你没有吃完菜,服务员会主动提供'打包盒',并且通常是免费的。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

在中国餐馆,服务员通常不会主动提供'打包盒',你需要自己提出要求。此外,许多餐馆的打包盒是需要收费的,而不是免费的。

true false C2

参加一个大型户外野餐活动时,为了方便分发食物,通常会准备很多一次性'打包盒'。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: True

在大型户外活动中,使用一次性'打包盒'可以方便食物的分发和携带,也便于事后清理,因此通常会准备。

listening C2

You're at a restaurant and want to take your leftovers home.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 服务员,麻烦给我一个打包盒,谢谢。
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening C2

Talking about the eco-friendliness of a takeaway box.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 这家餐厅的打包盒设计得很环保,我很喜欢。
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening C2

Asking if you can use the restaurant's takeaway box because you forgot yours.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 我忘了带打包盒,可以用店里的吗?
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking C2

Read this aloud:

这个打包盒漏水了,能给我换一个吗?

Focus: 漏 (lòu) - leak, 换 (huàn) - change

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking C2

Read this aloud:

请问打包盒是免费的吗?

Focus: 免费 (miǎnfèi) - free

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking C2

Read this aloud:

这道菜分量太大,我得用打包盒带回家。

Focus: 分量 (fènliàng) - portion, 带回家 (dài huí jiā) - take home

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

/ 42 correct

Perfect score!

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!