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早饭 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
早饭zǎofànbreakfastHSK 1, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #4128, Easy
zǎofàn(zao3fan4) T3
  1. 1breakfast
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March 24, 2026

早饭(早飯)zǎofàn(zao3fan4)

早饭 (zǎo fàn) refers to breakfast, the first meal of the day typically consumed in the morning. It often consists of items that vary by region, such as congee, noodles, or various buns. The term emphasizes the importance of starting the day with a meal.

Strokes13Frequency#4128DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, breakfast is often considered an important meal, with many people preferring warm and hearty foods to start their day. Popular breakfast items can differ widely across regions, reflecting local culinary traditions.

Memory Tip

Imagine waking up early in the morning to the sound of a rooster crowing (早 means 'early'). Picture yourself enjoying a delicious bowl of rice porridge (饭 means 'meal' or 'rice'). Together, they remind you that breakfast is the early meal that sets the tone for your day.

Meanings of 早饭

zǎofàn(zao3fan4)
1breakfast
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About 早饭

早饭Simplified
早飯Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
份Measure Word
HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 早饭

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Podcast: 早饭

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AI Study Notes for 早饭

Quick Contrast

午饭 (wǔfàn) refers to lunch, the meal typically consumed in the afternoon, while 早饭 (zǎofàn) specifically denotes breakfast, the first meal of the day.

Usage Notes

In informal settings, people might simply say '吃早饭' (chī zǎo fàn) to mean 'have breakfast.' Be careful with the tones; mispronouncing '早' can confuse it with other words. Common collocations include '吃早饭' (have breakfast) and '早点' (breakfast food).

HSK Study Tips

While '早饭' is not explicitly listed in the HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 2 words related to food and daily activities. Focus on remembering the tones and practicing sentences that incorporate daily routines to better understand its use.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse '早饭' with '午饭' (lunch) or '晚饭' (dinner) due to similar structure. For example, saying '我吃晚饭' (I eat breakfast) instead of '我吃早饭' is a common error.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 早饭

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Component Characters

早zǎoearly
HSK 16 strokes日
View full entry
饭fànfood
HSK 17 strokes饣
View full entry

How to say breakfast in Chinese

“breakfast” in Chinese is早饭zǎofàn

早饭 (zǎo fàn) refers to breakfast, the first meal of the day typically consumed in the morning. It often consists of items that vary by region, such as congee, noodles, or various buns. The term emphasizes the importance of starting the day with a meal.

When to use 早饭

In informal settings, people might simply say '吃早饭' (chī zǎo fàn) to mean 'have breakfast.' Be careful with the tones; mispronouncing '早' can confuse it with other words. Common collocations include '吃早饭' (have breakfast) and '早点' (breakfast food).

早饭 or something close to it

午饭 (wǔfàn) refers to lunch, the meal typically consumed in the afternoon, while 早饭 (zǎofàn) specifically denotes breakfast, the first meal of the day.

What learners get wrong

Learners might confuse '早饭' with '午饭' (lunch) or '晚饭' (dinner) due to similar structure. For example, saying '我吃晚饭' (I eat breakfast) instead of '我吃早饭' is a common error.

Write 早饭

早
饭

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Frequently Asked Questions about 早饭

A typical Chinese breakfast can include congee, steamed buns, fried dough sticks, or noodles, depending on the region.

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