Catch Phrase | 干饭(gànfàn)

Writer: Debra Li  |  Editor: Stephanie Yang  |  From: Shenzhen Daily  |  Updated: 2021-02-18

Meaning:

“干” means to “do” or “work,” and “饭” means “meals.” Originating from Southwest China’s Sichuan and Chongqing dialects, this term simply means to “eat a meal,” while using the verb “干” gives the term an impression that a person is eating vigorously. The term caught on after someone used the phrase in a short video posted on the streaming site Douyin.

Example:

A: 你弟弟找到工作了吗

Nǐ dìdi zhǎodào gōngzuò le ma?

Has your younger brother found a job?

B: 没有,他天天在家玩游戏,什么都不行,干饭第一名。

Méiyǒu, tātiāntiān zàijiā wán yóuxì,shénme doū bùxíng, gànfàn dìyīmíng。

Not really. He stays at home playing computer games all day long. He’s not good at anything, except eating his meals.