How to say takeout in Chinese — 打包 and 带走
Updated September 2026
The food is chosen. The cashier looks up. You want it to go, and the English word “takeout” does not land. Say 打包.
To say takeout in Mandarin, use 打包 (dǎbāo) — “pack it up.” At many counters the matching answer is 带走 (dàizǒu) — “I’ll take it away.” Point first: 我要这个，打包. 外卖 (wàimài) means delivery. Do not use it as the takeout line.
The lines you say out loud
| # | Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 打包 | dǎbāo | Takeout / pack it up |
| 2 | 我要打包 | wǒ yào dǎbāo | I want it packed / to go |
| 3 | 带走 | dàizǒu | Take it away |
| 4 | 我要这个，打包 | wǒ yào zhège, dǎbāo | I’ll have this — takeout |
| 5 | 请帮我打包 | qǐng bāng wǒ dǎbāo | Please pack this (leftovers) |
| 6 | 不用袋子 | bú yòng dàizi | No bag needed |
| 7 | 外带 | wàidài | Takeout (sign you’ll see; say 打包) |
Read each line once, then say it without looking. The word alone is the order. A finger on a bag is not.
They ask for here or to go before you can volunteer the word? Answer the fork on 在这儿吃 or 打包. The dish itself is still 我要这个.
打包, 带走, and the word that is not takeout
You are asking them to box it → 打包
Counter order, night stall, or a plate you cannot finish. 打包 tells them to put it in a box or bag. Safe full line: 我要打包 or 请帮我打包.
They already said 带走 → answer 带走
Milk tea, bakeries, and chain counters often ask 带走吗？ or 在这儿吃还是带走？ Match their word: 带走. Same meaning as takeout. You do not correct them to 打包.
A sign says 外带 → you can still say 打包
外带 (wàidài) shows up on menus and window signs, especially outside the mainland everyday habit. It means takeout. Recognizing it is enough. Your spoken line can stay 打包 or 带走.
Hard no: 外卖
外卖 (wàimài) is delivery — the app, the courier, the bag that arrives at a door. At the restaurant it is the wrong answer. Staff hear “delivery,” not “I’ll carry this out.”
First word works — second question freezes
You: 打包。
Staff: 要袋子吗？ / 要餐具吗？ ← freeze zone
Pre-load
- 要 — yes
- 不要 — no
- 不用袋子 — no bag
- 不用餐具 — no utensils
Practice the second beat out loud. Takeout is two turns: the pack word, then the bag. Spice in the same breath if you need it: 不要辣.
Two scenes
Counter
- Point: 我要这个。
- Takeout: 打包。 (or 带走 if that is what they asked)
- Bag: 要 or 不用袋子。
Leftovers at the table
Full meal path: how to order food in Chinese.
3 mistakes
- Saying 外卖 at the counter. That is delivery. Takeout is 打包 or 带走.
- Only miming a box. Say 请帮我打包 while you point. The word is the request.
- Answering 在这儿吃 when you meant to leave. For here and to go are different lines. If you want the fork drilled, use for here or to go.
FAQ
How do you say takeout in Mandarin?
Say 打包 (dǎbāo) — pack it up / takeout. At counters you will also hear and can answer 带走 (dàizǒu). Point and add 我要这个，打包. Do not say 外卖 for counter takeout; that word means delivery.
What is the difference between 打包 and 带走?
Both can mean takeout. 打包 is pack it — the word you use to ask for a box, including leftovers. 带走 is take it away — the short answer when staff ask if you are leaving with the food. If they say one, answer with that one.
Is 外卖 the word for takeout?
No. 外卖 (wàimài) means delivery — an app and a courier. At the restaurant, say 打包 or 带走. A menu sign that says 外带 (wàidài) is takeout; you can still say 打包 out loud.
How do you ask them to pack leftovers?
Call 服务员 if you need a person, then say 请帮我打包 (qǐng bāng wǒ dǎbāo) or 我要打包. Point at the plates you want boxed.
What if they ask 要袋子吗？
That is the bag question. Answer 要 for yes, 不要 for no, or 不用袋子 if you do not want a bag. Pre-load those before you reach the counter.
Practice the pack word out loud
You’ve got the takeout line. The gap is saying it before the line behind you moves. Say 打包 once, then answer 要袋子吗？ without looking.
Locked 打包? Rehearse the cashier’s bag question out loud — practice on Today (no card).
Cluster links
- The fork they ask: For here or to go (在这儿吃 / 打包)
- Full order path: How to order food in Chinese
- Point + order: 我要这个
- Spice: 不要辣
- Then the check: 买单 / 结账
- Call staff first: 服务员
Related: For here or to go · How to order food · 我要这个