Chinese word

快餐

Pronunciation

Pinyinkuài cān

Meaning

  • nounfast food

Example

他喜欢吃快餐。tā xǐ huān chī kuài cān

He likes to eat fast food.

Illustration for 快餐 (fast food)

More examples

中午我经常吃快餐，因为没时间做饭。zhōng wǔ wǒ jīng cháng chī kuài cān yīn wèi méi shí jiān zuò fàn

At noon, I often eat fast food because I do not have time to cook.

Core concept

Food made ready with little waiting, together with the place that provides it.

Common phrases

  • 吃快餐chī kuài cān

    eat fast food

  • 点快餐diǎn kuài cān

    order fast food

  • 去快餐店qù kuài cān diàn

    go to a fast-food restaurant

Similar words

快餐店kuài cān diàn: A place where quick meals are prepared and served.
小吃xiǎo chī: A small portion of food eaten as a snack or light meal.
外卖wài mài: A service that delivers ordered food to a customer's location.

Definition in Chinese

以快速制作和供应为特征、方便即食或外带的食品或提供此类食品的商店。yǐ kuài sù zhì zuò hé gōng yìng wèi tè zhēng fāng biàn jí shí huò wài dài de shí pǐn huò tí gōng cǐ lèi shí pǐn de shāng diàn

Word origin

The compound 快 (kuài, "fast") + 餐 (cān, "meal") joins speed with eating to name quick meal service.

Usage tips

  • Native English speakers may picture only burgers and fries, but this Chinese word also covers many local quick meals and takeaway foods.

Opposites

  • 家常菜jiā cháng càihome-style cookingnoun
  • 正餐zhèng cānregular mealnoun

Related words

  • 快餐店kuài cān diànfast-food restaurantnoun
  • 快餐业kuài cān yèfast-food industrynoun

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