Learning how to say food delivery in Chinese? Start with one word that pops up everywhere in daily life across China: 外卖 (wài mài). Literally one of the cheapest and most convenient parts about living here.
This term covers takeout, delivery, and pretty much any situation where food leaves a restaurant and ends up somewhere else. For English-speaking travelers, expats, or anyone new to Mandarin, it’s the single most important food-related word to know right away. I use it almost every day for fresh coffee in the morning or full dinners in the evening!
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Knowing 外卖 alone will get you surprisingly far, but Chinese actually has several related terms with subtle differences depending on context.
Words like 送餐 (sòng cān), 外送 (wài sòng), and 配送 (pèi sòng) all connect to delivery, but they show up in different places and have their own shades of meaning.
This guide breaks down each term with pinyin and tones. You’ll see when and where to use them, plus get handy phrases for ordering food in real situations.
It also covers the stuff you’ll bump into on big Chinese delivery apps like Meituan and Ele.me.
Key Takeaways
- 外卖 (wài mài) is the standard, most widely used Chinese word for food delivery and takeout in everyday speech.
- Related terms like 送餐, 外送, and 配送 each serve specific roles depending on formality and context.
- Practical ordering phrases and app-specific vocabulary make it possible to navigate food delivery in China with confidence.
The Main Chinese Words to Know
Chinese has a handful of words for food delivery, and each one fits a different situation. The most common is 外卖 (wài mài), but you’ll also spot 送餐 (sòng cān), 外送 (wài sòng), and 配送 (pèi sòng) in apps, menus, or just chatting with people.
How 外卖 (wài mài) Is Used in Everyday Speech
外卖 (wài mài) is the go-to word for food delivery in Mainland China. It literally means “outside sell,” hinting at food sold for eating somewhere else.
In daily conversation, people use it for both ordering delivery and the food itself. You might hear 点外卖 (diǎn wài mài), which means “order delivery food,” or 吃外卖 (chī wài mài), meaning “eat delivery food.”
Both are everywhere. As eChineseLearning points out, 外卖 is the word you need for ordering takeout in China.
When someone says 外卖到了 (wài mài dào le), they’re saying “the delivery has arrived.” You’ll hear it in offices, apartments, and dorms all the time.
When to Use 送餐, 外送, and 配送
外卖 rules casual speech, but other terms show up in more specific settings:
- 送餐 (sòng cān) means “deliver a meal.” Restaurants and delivery staff use it often. According to a guide on delivery vocabulary, 送餐 pops up when talking about meal delivery specifically.
- 外送 (wài sòng) means “send out.” It’s more common in Taiwan and refers to delivery from the restaurant’s point of view.
- 配送 (pèi sòng) is broader and more formal. It means “distribute and deliver,” and you’ll see it in logistics, e-commerce, or on app screens showing delivery fees or status.
| Term | Pinyin | Literal Meaning | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 外卖 | wài mài | Outside sell | Everyday food delivery |
| 送餐 | sòng cān | Deliver meal | Restaurant meal delivery |
| 外送 | wài sòng | Send outside | Delivery (common in Taiwan) |
| 配送 | pèi sòng | Distribute/deliver | Formal, app interfaces, logistics |
The Difference Between Takeout and Delivery in Chinese
In English, “takeout” and “delivery” aren’t the same. You pick up takeout; delivery comes to you.
In Chinese, 外卖 covers both. Context fills in the details.
If you walk into a restaurant and say 我要外卖 (wǒ yào wài mài), you’re asking for food to go. If you order through an app, 外卖 means it’ll show up at your door.
If you want to be super clear, 自取 (zì qǔ) means “self-pickup.” You’ll find it as an option on many delivery apps and it matters, choose 自取 and no driver will show up.
How to Order Naturally
Knowing the words is only half the battle. Using them in natural sentences is what gets you what you want, otherwise, you might just get blank stares.
The phrases below help with placing an order, asking questions, and giving delivery details like if you need plates, toothpicks, knives, forks, or spoons.
Essential Phrases for Placing an Order
Here are the most useful sentences for ordering food delivery in Chinese:
- 我想点外卖 (wǒ xiǎng diǎn wài mài) = “I want to order delivery food.”
- 我要一份宫保鸡丁 (wǒ yào yī fèn gōng bǎo jī dīng) = “I want one portion of kung pao chicken.”
- 请帮我送到这个地址 (qǐng bāng wǒ sòng dào zhè ge dì zhǐ) = “Please deliver it to this address.”
As a practical ordering guide from That’s Mandarin shows, just combine 外卖 with dish names and your address-you’re set for almost any order.
If you order by phone, start with 你好，我想点外卖 (nǐ hǎo, wǒ xiǎng diǎn wài mài). It’s polite and people immediately know why you’re calling.
How to Ask About Fees, Time, and Address
You’ll probably need to ask a few practical questions. Here are the big ones:
- 配送费多少钱？ (pèi sòng fèi duō shǎo qián?) = “How much is the delivery fee?”
- 大概多长时间能送到？ (dà gài duō cháng shí jiān néng sòng dào?) = “About how long until it arrives?”
- 可以送到XX路吗？ (kě yǐ sòng dào XX lù ma?) = “Can you deliver to XX Road?”
- 有起送价吗？ (yǒu qǐ sòng jià ma?) = “Is there a minimum order amount?”
起送价 (qǐ sòng jià) is the minimum order for delivery. Most Chinese restaurants set one, and you’ll see it in app listings.
Useful Words for Portions, Dishes, and Delivery Details
A few extra words make your order smoother:
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 份 | fèn | portion/serving |
| 碗 | wǎn | bowl |
| 筷子 | kuài zi | chopsticks |
| 餐具 | cān jù | utensils |
| 备注 | bèi zhù | order notes/remarks |
| 少辣 | shǎo là | less spicy |
| 不要香菜 | bú yào xiāng cài | no cilantro |
The 备注 (bèi zhù) field in delivery apps is for special requests. People add things like 少放盐 (shǎo fàng yán, “less salt”) or 多加米饭 (duō jiā mǐ fàn, “extra rice”), it’s totally normal.
Using Delivery Apps and Real-World Contexts
Most food delivery in China happens through apps, not phone calls. Recognizing key Chinese words on the screen matters just as much as speaking them. Millenials, Gen Z, and younger all love this!
The two big platforms are Meituan (美团) and Ele.me (饿了么). They use a lot of the same vocabulary, so once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to order from either one.
How 外卖 Appears in Apps Like Eleme
On both Meituan and Ele.me, 外卖 usually sits right there as the main category button on the home screen. Tap it, and you’ll see restaurants sorted by distance, rating, and cuisine type.
If you check out this guide to food delivery apps in China, you’ll notice they offer a huge range of restaurants. Once you get the basic terms down, ordering feels pretty simple.
Inside these apps, 外卖 marks the whole food delivery section. It’s how they separate food delivery from other options like grocery or supermarket delivery (买菜) or package pickup (取件).
What You Might See on Menus and Order Screens
Here are some common terms you’ll spot on delivery app screens:
- 起送 (qǐ sòng) = minimum order for delivery
- 配送费 (pèi sòng fèi) = delivery fee
- 预计送达 (yù jì sòng dá) = estimated delivery time
- 已接单 (yǐ jiē dān) = order accepted
- 配送中 (pèi sòng zhōng) = delivering now
- 已送达 (yǐ sòng dá) = delivered
- 再来一单 (zài lái yī dān) = reorder
These status updates use 配送 instead of 外卖, since they’re about the delivery process. It’s more of the formal, behind-the-scenes language.
Common Situations Where Different Terms Appear
Different words pop up depending on where you are. If a friend texts about lunch, you’ll probably see 点外卖吧 (“let’s order delivery”).
Restaurant signs sometimes say 提供外送服务 (“delivery service available”). App notifications usually say 您的订单配送中 (“your order is being delivered”).
Travelers at hotels might hear the front desk mention 外卖 when a delivery driver arrives. According to a simplified guide for ordering delivery in China, saying 我是外国人 (wǒ shì wài guó rén, “I am a foreigner”) clears up confusion with drivers pretty fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
More advanced ways of how to say food delivery in Chinese sentences:
- Chinese: 加班到深夜，他点了一份外卖，热腾腾的麻辣烫驱散了所有的疲惫。
Pinyin: Jiābān dào shēnyè, tā diǎn le yī fèn wàimài, rèténgténg de má làtàng qūsàn le suǒyǒu de píbèi.
English: Working late into the night, he ordered takeout; the steaming hot malatang dispelled all his fatigue. - Chinese: 外卖骑手在暴雨中穿梭，只为把热乎的饭菜准时送到顾客手中。
Pinyin: Wàimài qíshǒu zài bàoyǔ zhōng chuānsuō, zhǐ wèi bǎ rèhu de fàncài zhǔnshí sòng dào gùkè shǒuzhōng.
English: Delivery riders navigate through heavy rainstorms just to deliver hot meals to customers on time. - Chinese: 她把外卖盒洗干净晾干，用来装杂物，既环保又实用。
Pinyin: Tā bǎ wàimài hé xǐ gānjìng liànggān, yònglái zhuāng záwù, jì huánbǎo yòu shíyòng.
English: She washed and dried the takeout containers to store miscellaneous items, eco-friendly and practical. - Chinese: 周末懒得做饭，一家人围坐在客厅吃外卖，也是一种简单的幸福。
Pinyin: Zhōumò lǎn de zuòfàn, yī jiā rén wéi zuò zài kètīng chī wàimài, yě shì yī zhǒng jiǎndān de xìngfú.
English: Too lazy to cook on the weekend, the whole family sits in the living room eating takeout, a simple kind of happiness. - Chinese: 外卖软件上的评价里，有人写道：”汤洒了，但骑手道歉很真诚，还是给了五星。”
Pinyin: Wàimài ruǎnjiàn shàng de píngjià lǐ, yǒurén xiědào: “Tāng sǎ le, dàn qíshǒu dàoqiàn hěn zhēnchéng, háishi gěi le wǔxīng.”
English: In the food delivery app’s reviews, someone wrote: “The soup spilled, but the rider apologized sincerely, still gave five stars.”
