Chinese word

自助餐

Pronunciation

Pinyinzì zhù cān

Meaning

  • nounbuffet

Example

这里的自助餐很丰富。zhè lǐ de zì zhù cān hěn fēng fù

The buffet here has a wide selection.

Illustration for 自助餐 (buffet)

More examples

今晚我们去那家自助餐吧。jīn wǎn wǒ men qù nà jiā zì zhù cān ba

Let's go to that buffet tonight.

Core concept

A spread of dishes lets diners build their own plates from a service counter, with payment set by the venue.

Common phrases

  • 吃自助餐chī zì zhù cān

    eat at a buffet

  • 自助餐厅zì zhù cān tīng

    buffet restaurant

  • 自助餐价格zì zhù cān jià gé

    buffet price

Similar words

自助餐厅zì zhù cān tīng: A restaurant that serves meals with many dishes for diners to choose and serve themselves.
自助餐台zì zhù cān tái: A table or area where dishes are set out for diners to choose and serve themselves.
自助晚餐zì zhù wǎn cān: A self-service dinner with many dishes set out for diners to choose and serve themselves.

Definition in Chinese

以多种菜肴摆在自助台上供顾客选择，顾客自行取食并按人或按固定价格结算的餐饮形式，强调自由搭配与自助取餐。yǐ duō zhòng cài yáo bǎi zài zì zhù tái shàng gòng gù kè xuǎn zé gù kè zì xíng qǔ shí bìng àn rén huò àn gù dìng jià gé jié suàn de cān yǐn xíng shì qiáng diào zì yóu dā pèi yǔ zì zhù qǔ cān

Word origin

自 (zì, "self") + 助 (zhù, "help") forms 自助 (zìzhù, "self-service"), and 餐 (cān, "meal") adds the meal meaning to name this arrangement.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may link a buffet with unlimited food, but this Chinese term identifies self-service selection; limits, refills, and charges depend on the venue.

Opposites

Related words

  • 自助餐厅zì zhù cān tīngbuffet restaurantnoun
  • 自助餐券zì zhù cān quànbuffet couponnoun

Word lists with this word