yèxiāo: 夜宵 - Late-night Snack, Midnight Snack, Fourth Meal

Keywords: yexiao, 夜宵, late-night snack in Chinese, midnight meal China, Chinese street food, what is yexiao, Chinese fourth meal, shaokao, post-dinner meal, Chinese nightlife food

Summary: Discover the cultural significance of 夜宵 (yèxiāo), the beloved Chinese “fourth meal.” More than just a late-night snack, `yèxiāo` is a vibrant social ritual, a time for friends to gather after a long day or a night out to enjoy delicious street food like barbecue skewers (烧烤) and noodles. This guide explores the meaning, cultural context, and practical usage of `yèxiāo`, a cornerstone of modern Chinese urban life.

Pinyin (with tone marks): yèxiāo

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 5

Concise Definition: A meal or substantial snack eaten late at night, typically after 9 PM.

In a Nutshell: `夜宵` isn't just about grabbing a bite from the fridge when you're hungry before bed. It's a distinct, post-dinner meal, often eaten out with friends or colleagues. It represents a moment of relaxation and social bonding that extends the day, turning the late hours into a lively and communal experience. Think of it less as a “snack” and more as a “fourth meal” that punctuates the end of an evening.

夜 (yè): This character means “night” or “evening.” Pictorially, it can be seen as a person (人) under a large cover, symbolizing the darkness and stillness of night.

宵 (xiāo): This character also means “night” or “dark.” It contains the “roof” radical (宀) over a character that represents “similar” or “resemble” (肖), suggesting the deep, uniform darkness of the night.

When combined, 夜宵 (yèxiāo) literally translates to “night night” or “evening night.” This repetition emphasizes that this meal takes place deep into the night, clearly distinguishing it from a regular dinner (`晚饭 wǎnfàn`).

In Chinese culture, `夜宵` is a cherished social institution, especially in bustling cities. It embodies the concept of 热闹 (rènao), a love for lively, bustling atmospheres. The act of gathering for `夜宵` is as important as the food itself. It’s a time to de-stress after a long day of work or study, to strengthen friendships, and to simply enjoy the vibrancy of city life after dark.

Comparison with Western Culture: An American might think of a “midnight snack” as grabbing a bowl of cereal alone or a quick drive-thru run. While functional, it lacks the communal, ritualistic feel of `夜宵`. The closest equivalent might be a late-night pizza run with friends after a party, but `夜宵` is a far more regular and culturally ingrained practice. It is an established, almost expected, part of a night out, functioning as a social “third space” between evening activities and going home. It reinforces social bonds (`关系 guānxi`) through the simple, shared pleasure of food.

`夜宵` is an extremely common and informal part of daily life. It's the standard term for the late-night meal, whether enjoyed at a street stall, a 24-hour restaurant, or ordered via a delivery app like Meituan or Ele.me.

The connotation is overwhelmingly positive, associated with fun, friendship, indulgence, and relaxation. The most common foods include 烧烤 (shāokǎo) (barbecue skewers), 麻辣烫 (málàtàng) (spicy hot pot bowls), fried rice, noodles, and dumplings, often accompanied by 啤酒 (píjiǔ) (beer).

`夜宵` vs. “Snack” (`零食 língshí`): A common mistake for learners is to equate `夜宵` with a snack. A “snack” in Chinese is 零食 (língshí), which refers to things like potato chips, cookies, or candy. `夜宵` is a full, hot meal, just smaller than dinner. You eat `零食` anytime, but you only eat `夜宵` late at night.

`夜宵` vs. “Dinner” (`晚饭 wǎnfàn`): The timing is the critical difference. 晚饭 (wǎnfàn) is dinner, eaten in the early evening (e.g., 6-8 PM). `夜宵` is a separate meal eaten much later (e.g., 10 PM - 2 AM), *after* dinner and other activities have concluded. You can eat both `晚饭` and `夜宵` on the same day.

`烧烤 (shāokǎo)` - Barbecue skewers. Arguably the most iconic `夜宵` food in China.

`大排档 (dàpáidàng)` - Open-air food stalls, often found on sidewalks, that are a classic setting for `夜宵`.

`外卖 (wàimài)` - Food delivery/takeout. A very popular way for people to enjoy `夜宵` at home.

`熬夜 (áoyè)` - To stay up late/pull an all-nighter. The activity that often necessitates or accompanies eating `夜宵`.

`热闹 (rènao)` - Lively, bustling. This word perfectly describes the ideal atmosphere of a `夜宵` gathering.

`啤酒 (píjiǔ)` - Beer. The most common alcoholic beverage consumed with `夜宵`.

`晚饭 (wǎnfàn)` - Dinner. The main evening meal, which `夜宵` follows.

`零食 (língshí)` - Snacks (chips, candy, etc.). Important to distinguish from the substantial meal of `夜宵`.

`麻辣烫 (málàtàng)` - Spicy hot pot. A popular, customizable soupy dish often eaten for `夜宵`.

`凌晨 (língchén)` - Before dawn, in the small hours of the morning (approx. 1 AM - 5 AM). The time when many `夜宵` sessions happen.