mǐfàn: 米饭 - Cooked Rice

• Keywords: mifan, mi fan, 米饭, cooked rice in Chinese, what is mifan, how to say rice in Chinese, Chinese staple food, chifan, HSK 1 vocabulary
• Summary: Learn about 米饭 (mǐfàn), the Chinese word for cooked rice. Far more than just a side dish, 米饭 is the foundation of a traditional Chinese meal and is deeply woven into the country's culture and language. This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical usage, showing you why understanding 米饭 is key to understanding daily life in China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): mǐfàn
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: Cooked rice, especially steamed white rice.
• In a Nutshell: In English, “rice” can mean the raw grain, the plant, or the cooked food. 米饭 (mǐfàn) specifically refers to the finished product: the cooked, fluffy grains in your bowl ready to be eaten. It is the primary staple carbohydrate in most of Southern China and is considered an essential component of a complete meal.

• 米 (mǐ): This character means “rice” in its raw, uncooked form. The character itself is a pictogram of a plant stem with grains attached, representing the unprocessed ingredient.
• 饭 (fàn): This character means “meal” or, more specifically, “cooked rice.”
• When combined, 米饭 (mǐfàn) literally means “rice-meal.” The character 米 (mǐ) specifies the ingredient, while 饭 (fàn) indicates that it has been cooked and is now part of a meal. This distinguishes it clearly from raw rice or other types of meals.

米饭 (mǐfàn) is not just food; it's a cultural cornerstone. Its importance is captured in the common saying, “民以食为天” (mín yǐ shí wéi tiān), meaning “The people consider food as heaven.” For much of China, food—and specifically rice—is the most fundamental element of life and well-being. In Western culture, a meal might be centered around a protein, with bread or potatoes serving as a side. In a traditional Chinese meal, however, 米饭 (mǐfàn) is the central, neutral foundation (the 主食, zhǔshí or “main food”) upon which the entire meal is built. All the other dishes, known as 菜 (cài), are there to accompany the rice and add flavor. A meal without 米饭 can feel incomplete, like a “snack” rather than a proper dinner. This idea is so central that the common greeting, “你吃饭了吗?” (Nǐ chī fàn le ma?), which literally means “Have you eaten rice yet?”, is the standard way to say “How are you?”. It's a gesture of care and concern, checking if the other person is well-fed and provided for. This highlights the value of sustenance and community, showing that sharing a meal (and rice) is an act of social bonding.

米饭 (mǐfàn) is a term you'll use daily in China.

• In Restaurants: When you order several dishes (点菜, diǎn cài), the waiter will often ask how many bowls of 米饭 (mǐfàn) you need. You might say “两碗米饭” (liǎng wǎn mǐfàn) - “two bowls of rice.” In fast-food style restaurants that serve set meals (套餐, tàocān), rice is almost always included.
• At Home: A home-cooked meal typically involves preparing several “cài” (dishes) to be shared communally, with each person having their own individual bowl of 米饭 (mǐfàn).
• Figurative Language: The word 饭 (fàn) is part of one of the most important modern concepts: the 铁饭碗 (tiě fàn wǎn), or “iron rice bowl.” This refers to a stable, secure job with guaranteed pay and benefits, typically a government or state-owned enterprise position. Losing one's job is called “打破了饭碗” (dǎpòle fànwǎn) - “breaking the rice bowl.” This shows how deeply the concept of rice is linked to livelihood and security.

• Example 1:
  • 我要一碗米饭，谢谢。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yào yī wǎn mǐfàn, xièxie.
  • English: I'd like one bowl of rice, thank you.
  • Analysis: A simple, essential phrase for ordering food in any Chinese restaurant. “碗” (wǎn) is the measure word for a bowl.
• Example 2:
  • 今天的米饭有点硬。
  • Pinyin: Jīntiān de mǐfàn yǒudiǎn yìng.
  • English: Today's rice is a little hard.
  • Analysis: Used to describe the texture of the rice. You could also say “软” (ruǎn) for soft.
• Example 3:
  • 你吃米饭还是面条？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ chī mǐfàn háishì miàntiáo?
  • English: Do you want to eat rice or noodles?
  • Analysis: A common question, highlighting the two primary staple foods in China. “还是” (háishì) is used to present a choice in a question.
• Example 4:
  • 中国南方人主食是米饭。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó nánfāng rén zhǔshí shì mǐfàn.
  • English: The staple food for people in Southern China is rice.
  • Analysis: This sentence explains a key cultural and dietary fact about China. “主食” (zhǔshí) means “staple food.”
• Example 5:
  • 我妈妈做的米饭特别香。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ māma zuò de mǐfàn tèbié xiāng.
  • English: The rice my mom makes is especially fragrant.
  • Analysis: “香” (xiāng) means fragrant or aromatic and is a common way to compliment well-cooked rice.
• Example 6:
  • 别忘了煮米饭！
  • Pinyin: Bié wàngle zhǔ mǐfàn!
  • English: Don't forget to cook the rice!
  • Analysis: “煮” (zhǔ) is the verb “to cook” or “to boil,” commonly used for making rice.
• Example 7:
  • 菜都准备好了，就差米饭了。
  • Pinyin: Cài dōu zhǔnbèi hǎo le, jiù chà mǐfàn le.
  • English: The dishes are all ready; we're just missing the rice.
  • Analysis: This shows the relationship between “菜” (cài, the dishes) and “米饭” (mǐfàn, the rice). The meal isn't complete without it.
• Example 8:
  • 他吃了三碗米饭，因为他太饿了。
  • Pinyin: Tā chīle sān wǎn mǐfàn, yīnwèi tā tài è le.
  • English: He ate three bowls of rice because he was so hungry.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates how rice is seen as the primary food for filling one's stomach.
• Example 9:
  • 小朋友，快点把米饭吃完。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎopéngyǒu, kuài diǎn bǎ mǐfàn chī wán.
  • English: Little one, hurry up and finish your rice.
  • Analysis: A common sentence a parent might say to a child. The “把” (bǎ) structure is used to emphasize the action's effect on the object (the rice).
• Example 10:
  • 我喜欢用昨天的米饭做炒饭。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xǐhuān yòng zuótiān de mǐfàn zuò chǎofàn.
  • English: I like to use yesterday's rice to make fried rice.
  • Analysis: This shows a practical use for leftover rice and introduces the related term “炒饭” (chǎofàn).

• 米 (mǐ) vs. 米饭 (mǐfàn): This is the most common mistake for learners.
  • 米 (mǐ) is the raw, uncooked grain. You buy 米 at the supermarket.
  • 米饭 (mǐfàn) is the cooked rice you eat. You eat 米饭 at the dinner table.
  • Incorrect: 我去超市买米饭。 (Wǒ qù chāoshì mǎi mǐfàn.) - “I'm going to the supermarket to buy cooked rice.” (This is wrong unless you're buying a pre-made meal box).
  • Correct: 我去超市买米。 (Wǒ qù chāoshì mǎi mǐ.) - “I'm going to the supermarket to buy (uncooked) rice.”
• 饭 (fàn) vs. 米饭 (mǐfàn):
  • 饭 (fàn) can mean “meal” in general, as in “早饭” (zǎofàn, breakfast) or “晚饭” (wǎnfàn, dinner).
  • However, in the verb phrase 吃饭 (chī fàn), it literally means “to eat rice,” but its general meaning is “to eat a meal.” The context implies a proper meal that would typically include rice.
  • When you need to be specific that you are talking about the food item itself, and not the concept of a meal, use 米饭 (mǐfàn). For example, “Do you want rice or noodles?” requires 米饭, not just 饭.

• 大米 (dà mǐ) - Raw, uncooked white rice. More specific than 米, this is the term you'll see on packaging in a store.
• 吃饭 (chī fàn) - To eat a meal. A fundamental daily activity and common greeting.
• 炒饭 (chǎo fàn) - Fried rice. A very popular dish made from leftover 米饭.
• 饭馆 (fàn guǎn) - Restaurant. Literally a “meal-house.”
• 白饭 (bái fàn) - Plain white rice. Often used interchangeably with 米饭 to emphasize it has no other ingredients.
• 粥 (zhōu) - Congee or rice porridge. A breakfast staple made by boiling rice with a large amount of water. Also known as 稀饭 (xī fàn).
• 面条 (miàn tiáo) - Noodles. The primary staple food in Northern China and the main alternative to 米饭.
• 菜 (cài) - Dishes (vegetable, meat, tofu, etc.) that are eaten with 米饭.
• 铁饭碗 (tiě fàn wǎn) - The “iron rice bowl,” a metaphor for a secure, lifelong job.