Meaning and Usage
The word 晚餐 (wǎncān) specifically refers to the evening meal or dinner. It is a common term used in everyday conversation to talk about the meal eaten in the evening.
Common Contexts
晚餐 is often used with time expressions (e.g., 晚上七点晚餐) or in sequences of daily activities (e.g., 晚餐后). It can also describe meals at restaurants or special occasions.
Collocations and Patterns
- 晚餐时间 (dinner time): refers to the usual time for dinner.
- 吃晚餐 (have dinner): a very common verb-object phrase.
- 晚餐后 (after dinner): used to indicate an action following dinner.
Usage Notes
晚餐 is more formal than just saying 吃饭 (eat), and it specifically points to the evening meal, unlike 午餐 (lunch) or 早餐 (breakfast). Avoid confusing 晚餐 with 夜宵, which means a late-night snack rather than a full meal.