How to Say “Takeaway” in Chinese
Food and dining · HSK 3
Quick Answer
"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?