How to Say “Takeaway” in Chinese
Food and dining · new HSK 3
"Takeaway" in Chinese is 外卖 (wài mài). 外卖 (wàimài) is food delivery; a massive Chinese industry powered by 美团 (Meituan) and 饿了么 (Ele.me).
Primary translation
外卖
wài mài
Traditional: 外賣
Variants by register
Casual
打包
dǎ bāo
When to use it
外卖 (wàimài) is food delivery; a massive Chinese industry powered by 美团 (Meituan) and 饿了么 (Ele.me). For "to go" at a restaurant, use 打包 (dǎ bāo, "wrap up"); saying 我要打包 means "I want it packed up". 堂食 (táng shí, "hall eat") vs 外带 (wài dài, "take out") is the formal split. If a restaurant asks 堂食还是外带? they want to know whether you are eating in or taking away.
Example sentences
我要打包，谢谢。
Wǒ yào dǎbāo, xièxie.
I want to take this to go, thanks.
你们有外卖吗？
Nǐmen yǒu wàimài ma?
Do you offer delivery?
堂食还是外带？
Táng shí háishi wài dài?
Dining in or taking away?
Related phrases
On the new HSK 3 exam
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