吃 (chī): To eat. This character is a pictophonetic compound. The left side, 口 (kǒu), means “mouth.” The right side, 乞 (qǐ), provides the phonetic sound. So, it's an action done with the mouth.
了 (le): A grammatical particle that indicates a completed action or a change of state. In this context, it signifies that the action of eating has been completed, turning “eat” into “have eaten.”
吗 (ma): A question particle. Adding 吗 at the end of a statement turns it into a simple yes/no question.
These three characters combine literally to mean “Eat-completed-question?” or “Have (you) eaten?” This forms a simple, direct, and very common greeting.
In Chinese culture, food is far more than mere sustenance; it's the foundation of social life, family, and health. For much of China's history, famine and food scarcity were real and recurring threats. Asking someone if they had eaten was a genuine expression of care and concern for their most basic need. It was a way of saying, “I hope you are safe and provided for.”
This tradition has carried over into modern times as a form of social pleasantry. While the literal concern about starvation has faded for most, the underlying sentiment of care remains.
Comparison to Western Culture:
The closest Western equivalent is “How are you?”. However, they differ in focus.
“How are you?” focuses on an abstract emotional or mental state. The standard reply is a brief “Fine, thanks.”
“吃了吗 (chī le ma)?” focuses on a tangible, physical state of well-being (being fed). The standard reply is a brief “吃了 (chī le)” or “I've eaten.”
This difference highlights a cultural tendency to express care through practical, tangible means (like food, gifts, or acts of service) rather than purely verbal or emotional expressions. For a beginner, understanding this shift in focus is key to interpreting social cues correctly.
“吃了吗” is an informal greeting used in specific contexts.
Timing: It's most commonly used around mealtimes—late morning (around 11 AM - 1 PM) and early evening (around 5 PM - 7 PM). Asking it at 3 PM would be odd unless you know the person has a strange schedule.
Audience: It's most frequent between acquaintances you see regularly, like neighbors, doormen, or colleagues in the hallway. It's also very common for older generations to use it with everyone. A parent might call their child and open with this question as a sign of affection.
Formality: It is strictly informal. You would not use it to greet a CEO in a formal business meeting. For that, you would use
你好 (nǐ hǎo) or a more formal title.
Regionality: While common nationwide, its frequency is decreasing among young, urban populations in major cities like Shanghai and Beijing, who might prefer “Hi” (嗨, hāi) or “What's up?” (干嘛呢, gànmá ne). However, it is still universally understood and appreciated.
Typical Responses:
The goal is to answer briefly and keep the conversation flowing.
Affirmative: “吃了, 你呢?” (Chī le, nǐ ne?) - “I've eaten, and you?” This is the most common and polite response.
Negative: “还没呢.” (Hái méi ne.) - “Not yet.” This might elicit a simple “快去吃吧” (Kuài qù chī ba - “Go eat soon!”), but it is not a plea for an invitation.