noun / verb HSK 3
meal · food · to eat
Meaning
餐 refers to a meal or the act of eating. It's commonly used in compound words related to dining and food service. As a standalone character, it appears in formal or written contexts, while in daily speech it's usually part of longer words like 午餐 (lunch) or 餐厅 (restaurant).
Usage
餐 is rarely used alone in casual conversation. Native speakers typically use it in compounds. It appears frequently on signs, menus, and in formal settings. When counting meals, use 顿 (dùn) as the measure word, not 餐 itself.
Examples
- 01这家餐厅的午餐很便宜。.The lunch at this restaurant is very cheap.
- 02我们提供中餐和西餐。.We provide Chinese food and Western food.
Measure words
- 顿一顿餐
Common collocations
- 餐厅restaurant, dining room
- 早餐breakfast
- 快餐fast food
- 西餐Western food
Origin
The character 餐 is composed of 食 (food) repeated twice with 又 (hand) in between, representing the act of taking food with hands repeatedly, symbolizing eating a meal.