餐

• Pinyin: cān
• Hanzi breakdown: 餐 = 歺 + 又 + 食, meal/to eat

Meaning

Meal; measure word for meals. A formal term for eating occasions.

Functions both as a noun meaning 'meal' and as a measure word for counting meals. Common in compounds like 早餐 (breakfast), 午餐 (lunch), 晚餐 (dinner), 餐厅 (restaurant), and 快餐 (fast food). More formal than 饭.

Examples

1. 这家餐厅的套餐价格很实惠，一餐只要三十块。 This restaurant's set meal prices are very reasonable — one meal is only thirty yuan.
2. 医生建议一日三餐要规律。 The doctor recommends eating three regular meals a day.
3. 我们一起去吃一餐好的庆祝一下吧。 Let's go have a nice meal together to celebrate.

Usage Guide

Context: food, dining, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 今天我请你吃一餐。(Today I'll treat you to a meal.)
• 西餐和中餐哪个你更喜欢？(Which do you prefer, Western food or Chinese food?)

Don't Say

• 注意'餐'作量词时比'顿'更正式 (As a measure word, 餐 is more formal than 顿 — use 顿 in casual speech)

Origin & History

Originally written with food-related components, indicating eating. Now standardized as 餐.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal