NetChai Chinese

How to Say “Let's order delivery” in Chinese

叫外卖吧
jiào wàimài ba.
Let's order delivery · trad. 叫外賣吧
A tired person shows a phone screen to suggest ordering food, illustrating “let's order delivery” in Chinese: 叫外卖吧 (jiào wàimài ba.)

叫外卖吧 (jiào wàimài ba) is a common phrase used to suggest ordering food delivery. It reflects how ordering takeout is a huge part of daily life in modern China.

What does 叫外卖吧 (jiào wàimài ba.) mean?

叫外卖吧 (jiào wàimài ba.) means “let's order delivery” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “order takeout delivery.”

When to use it

Casual and friendly. It's a common way to suggest ordering food delivery among friends or family. For a more direct way to say “order delivery,” you can use 订外卖 (dìng wàimài).

How to pronounce it

Sounds like “JYAO WAI-MYE BAH.” The first three syllables all have falling tones, and the last particle is said lightly.

Other ways to say it

  • 订外卖dìng wàimàiorder delivery (neutral/formal verb)
  • 点外卖diǎn wàimàiorder delivery (common verb for ordering food)
  • 我们叫外卖吧wǒmen jiào wàimài baLet's order delivery (explicitly includes 'we')

Examples

今天太累了,我们叫外卖吧。
jīntiān tài lèi le, wǒmen jiào wàimài ba.
Today I'm too tired, let's order delivery.
你饿了吗?要不要叫外卖?
nǐ è le ma? yào bu yào jiào wàimài?
Are you hungry? Do you want to order delivery?
晚上吃什么?不如叫外卖吧!
wǎnshang chī shénme? bùrú jiào wàimài ba!
What to eat tonight? How about ordering delivery!
Pro tip: The particle 吧 (ba) turns a statement into a suggestion or a mild command, making it sound friendly and inviting.

Related phrases

我请客 · My treatAA制吧 · Let's split the bill尝尝这个 · Try this
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