hoi1 caan1開餐开餐
Jyutpinghoi1 caan1
Yalehōi chāan
Definition
To start a meal or a feast.
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
Implies a social or communal atmosphere rather than just the act of eating alone. It often suggests a sense of anticipation or excitement, making it perfect for gatherings, celebrations, or when everyone has finally gathered at the table.
Examples
Is everyone seated? We are ready to start our meal.
The whole group of friends went to a hotel for a feast, it was great fun.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe eating alone, as it sounds unnatural and implies a group setting. It is also not typically used in formal business dining contexts.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
