Basic Meaning
米饭 (mǐfàn) refers specifically to cooked rice, which is a staple food in many Chinese meals. It is the prepared form of 米 (uncooked rice) and is commonly served as the main carbohydrate in dishes.
Usage and Collocations
米饭 is often paired with various side dishes like vegetables, meat, or eggs. Common phrases include 吃米饭 (eat rice) and 米饭很好吃 (rice is delicious). It is used in everyday conversation when talking about meals.
Common Collocations
米饭 is a neutral, everyday word suitable for all registers. It contrasts with 粥 (zhōu), which means rice porridge, and 饭 can also mean meal in a broader sense, but 米饭 specifically means cooked rice.