Definition
要饭 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to beg'. It is formed from the verb 要 (yào, 'to ask for') and the noun 饭 (fàn, 'food'). When used with aspect markers like 了 or 过, or with duration phrases, the two parts can split: e.g., 要过两次饭 ('have begged twice') or 要了三天饭 ('begged for three days'). The term is informal; the more formal synonym is 乞讨.
v.o.
to beg (for food or money)
Examples
- 要饭。Tā yǐqián shì yào fàn de.He used to be a beggar.
- 。Tā zài jiēshàng yào le sān tiān fàn.He begged on the street for three days.
- 要饭。Hěn duō yào fàn de rén zhù zài qiáo xiàmiàn.Many beggars live under the bridge.
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