diǎncān: 点餐 - To Order Food

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Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 点餐 (diǎncān), which means “to order food.” This guide covers everything a beginner needs to know, from the basic meaning and character breakdown to the cultural nuances of group dining versus modern app-based ordering in China. With practical examples and common phrases, you'll be able to confidently order your next meal in any Chinese-speaking environment.

Pinyin (with tone marks): diǎn cān

Part of Speech: Verb-Object Phrase (Functions as a single verb)

HSK Level: HSK 3

Concise Definition: To order a meal, typically by selecting items from a menu.

In a Nutshell: 点餐 (diǎncān) is the fundamental, all-purpose term for ordering food. It's what you say to a waiter, what you do on a food delivery app, and the action you take when looking at a menu. It literally means “to select a meal” and is one of the most practical and high-frequency terms you'll learn for daily life in China.

点 (diǎn): This character's original meaning is a “dot” or “point.” By extension, it means “to point at” or “to select/tick off” an item from a list. Think of pointing your finger at a menu item or ticking a checkbox next to it.

餐 (cān): This character means “meal” or “food.” The top part (食) is a radical for “food,” and the bottom part provides the sound. It refers to a