在中国呆久了你就会发现，中国人见面打招呼的方式之一是：“你吃了吗？”尤其是在吃饭点，这样的对话很常见：
If you stay in China for a long time, you will find out that some Chinese people greet others by saying "have you eaten already?" (你吃了吗 nǐ chī le ma?) ，especially at meal time, this dialogue can be heard anywhere.
Jim: Hi, Lucy, nǐ chī le ma?
Hi, Lucy, 你吃了吗？
Hi, Lucy, have you eaten?
Lucy: Chīle, nǐ ne ?
吃了，你呢？
Yes, and you?
Jim: wǒ yě chī le。
我也吃了。
I have, too.
这是因为过去物质匮乏，能吃饱成了彼此最朴实的愿望，所以这样问以显示关心。如今中国人再也不用为衣食担忧，但这样的问候方式却延续了下来，而且这种“吃文化”在人们如今的生活中还扮演了很重要的角色。小编为你盘点一下。
In the old days, when food was more scarce, this traditional greeting means you care for the person you are addressing. In modern China, food is plentiful, but the greeting has become commonplace, as well as other "eating terms". We will learn more here:
|
English meaning |
Chinese terms |
Literal translation |
Example |
|
have difficulties |
吃力 chī lì |
eat hardships |
他学习很吃力。 |
|
be popular |
吃得开 chī dé kāi |
eat well |
他在社会上很吃得开。 |
|
enjoy privilege |
吃小灶 chī xiǎo zào |
eat a small stove |
课后老师总给他吃小灶。 |
|
live off one's past gains |
吃老本 chī lǎo běn |
eat the original capital |
他不做生意光吃老本。 |
|
take advantage of |
吃豆腐 chī dòu fǔ |
eat bean curd |
不好意思，我不是故意要吃你豆腐。 |
|
too much |
吃不消 chī bú xiāo |
eat but not digest |
全天工作她恐怕吃不消。 |
|
to suffer losses |
吃亏 chī kuī |
eat losses |
跟他作生意你是要吃亏的。 |
|
be jealous |
吃醋 chī cù |
eat vinegar |
当他发现她爱别人的时候，他吃醋了。 |
|
live off others |
吃干饭 chī gàn fàn |
eat cooked rice |
我们不需要吃干饭的。 |
|
cause trouble |
吃苦头 chī kǔ tóu |
eat bitterness |
少管闲事，要不你会吃苦头的。 |
