Keywords: waimai, wàimài, 外卖, Chinese food delivery, order food in Chinese, takeout in Chinese, Meituan, Ele.me, what is waimai, how to say delivery in Chinese, 外卖小哥, dǎbāo
Summary: Learn about wàimài (外卖), the Chinese word for food delivery and takeout. In modern China, wàimài is more than just ordering a pizza; it's a massive, app-driven cultural phenomenon central to daily urban life. This guide covers its meaning, cultural significance, and how to use it in conversation, including the crucial difference between wàimài (delivery) and dǎbāo (takeaway).
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): wàimài
Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
HSK Level: HSK 3
Concise Definition: Food ordered from a restaurant to be delivered to a specific location; takeout/food delivery.
In a Nutshell: “Wàimài” is the concept of getting restaurant food brought directly to you. In China, this isn't a niche service but a fundamental part of daily life for millions, facilitated by super-apps like Meituan (美团) and Ele.me (饿了么). It represents ultimate convenience, endless choice, and a fast-paced, digital lifestyle. When you think of `wàimài`, picture a city full of delivery drivers on scooters, rushing to bring everything from hot noodles to afternoon tea to homes and offices.
Character Breakdown
外 (wài): Outside, outer, external. Imagine a person standing outside a door.
卖 (mài): To sell. The character originally depicted a person selling something they brought from far away.
Together, 外卖 (wàimài) literally means “to sell outside” or “external selling.” This perfectly captures the idea of a restaurant selling its food to customers who are not physically inside the establishment.
Cultural Context and Significance
The Wàimài Economy: `Wàimài` is not just a word; it's an entire ecosystem that has revolutionized urban living in China. The convenience and low cost have fundamentally changed how people, especially young professionals and students, plan their meals. The sight of the `外卖小哥 (wàimài xiǎo gē)`, or delivery driver, weaving through traffic on an electric scooter is a defining image of modern Chinese cities.
Comparison to Western “Food Delivery”: While the West has services like Uber Eats and DoorDash, `wàimài` in China is on a different scale of integration and ubiquity. The delivery fees are often significantly lower, the speed is generally faster, and the range of available options is staggering—from a single cup of bubble tea to a full hot pot set. It's less of a weekly treat and more of a daily utility, deeply woven into the fabric of work culture (e.g., ordering lunch to the office) and home life. This shift is driven by factors like high-density urban living, long work hours (the “996 culture”), and the universal adoption of mobile payments.
Practical Usage in Modern China
As a Noun: `Wàimài` refers to the delivered food itself.
`e.g., 我的外卖到了。(Wǒ de wàimài dào le.)` - “My delivery has arrived.”
As a Verb (with helpers): You don't “do” wàimài, you “order” it. The most common verbs are `点 (diǎn)` or `叫 (jiào)`.
`e.g., 我们点外卖吧。(Wǒmen diǎn wàimài ba.)` - “Let's order delivery.”
Common Scenarios:
Office Lunch: It's extremely common for entire office teams to order `wàimài` for lunch together.
Late-Night Cravings: Feeling hungry at 11 PM? `Wàimài` is the solution.
Social Gatherings: Instead of cooking for friends, many young people will simply order a variety of `wàimài` dishes to share.
Connotation: The connotation is overwhelmingly neutral-to-positive, associated with convenience, modernity, and choice. However, someone who eats `wàimài` for every single meal might be seen as a bit lazy or unhealthy.
English: I don't want to cook tonight, let's order delivery.
Analysis: A classic and extremely common use case. `点 (diǎn)` is the standard verb for ordering food, including `wàimài`.
Example 2:
你的外卖到了，在楼下。
Pinyin: Nǐ de wàimài dào le, zài lóuxià.
English: Your food delivery has arrived, it's downstairs.
Analysis: Here, `wàimài` is a noun referring to the delivered meal itself. This is a typical message you might receive from a receptionist or roommate.
Example 3:
你想吃什么外卖？我来点。
Pinyin: Nǐ xiǎng chī shénme wàimài? Wǒ lái diǎn.
English: What kind of takeout do you want to eat? I'll order.
Analysis: Shows how to ask for someone's preference. `我来点 (Wǒ lái diǎn)` is a common and natural way to say “I'll do the ordering.”
Example 4:
这个外卖怎么还没到？我都快饿死了！
Pinyin: Zhège wàimài zěnme hái méi dào? Wǒ dōu kuài è sǐ le!
English: Why hasn't this delivery arrived yet? I'm starving!
Analysis: A common complaint. The phrase `快 + [adj] + 死了 (kuài…sǐ le)` is a very common exaggeration meaning “so [adj] I could die.”
English: Although delivery is very convenient, home-cooked meals are still healthier.
Analysis: This sentence provides a balanced perspective, acknowledging the convenience of `wàimài` while praising the benefits of cooking.
Example 10:
你可以用美团App点外卖。
Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ yòng Měituán App diǎn wàimài.
English: You can use the Meituan app to order food delivery.
Analysis: A practical instruction, mentioning one of the major `wàimài` platforms, `美团 (Měituán)`.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
`外卖 (wàimài)` vs. `打包 (dǎbāo)`: The Most Common Mistake!
This is a crucial distinction for learners.
`外卖 (wàimài)` is DELIVERY. You are at home or the office, and you order food to be brought to you. You never went to the restaurant.
`打包 (dǎbāo)` is TAKEAWAY/TO-GO. You are physically at the restaurant. You either order food to take away, or you ask for the leftovers from your meal to be packed up. `打包` literally means “to pack a bag.”
快递 (kuàidì) - Express delivery service for parcels and documents (like FedEx/UPS), not typically used for hot food. Helps distinguish general delivery from food delivery.