👫2️⃣➡️3️⃣🍲✅

How to Say ‘For two people, three dishes is enough.’ in Simplified Chinese

两个人，三个菜就够了。

liǎng gè rén sān gè cài jiù gòu le

[lyahng guh ren sahn guh cài jyoe goh le]

🇨🇳 In China: A common rule of thumb is about one dish per person, plus maybe one extra, with rice on the side.

Phrase Breakdown

两个人，

liǎng gè rén

two people,

Use 两 before the measure word 个. Pause briefly at the comma.

Example

我们是两个人。

We are two people.

Words in this phrase

两

liǎng

[lyahng]

two

The form 两 is used before measure words, as in 两个 meaning two of something.

Example

我最近在比较两个工作机会。

I’ve recently been comparing two job opportunities.

个

gè

[guh]

general measure word

A very common measure word used with many nouns, including people in simple counting.

Example

一个大人和一个孩子。

One adult and one child.

人

rén

[ren]

person; people

A human being; it can also mean people in general.

Example

这里的人都对职业发展很有兴趣。

The people here are all very interested in career development.

三个菜

sān gè cài

three dishes

三个菜 means 'three dishes'. 菜 is falling tone: cài.

Example

我想点三个菜。

I'd like to order three dishes.

Words in this phrase

三

sān

[sahn]

three

The number three. Used to count guests or items.

Example

三个孩子已经到了。

Three children have already arrived.

个

gè

[guh]

general measure word

A very common measure word used with many nouns, including people in simple counting.

Example

一个大人和一个孩子。

One adult and one child.

菜

cài

[cài]

dish

A prepared dish of food served at a meal.

Example

我们点了四个菜。

We ordered four dishes.

就够了。

jiù gòu le

is enough.

就够了 means 'that's enough'. 了 is a light, neutral-tone 'le'.

Example

这些就够了。

These are enough.

Words in this phrase

就

jiù

[jyoe]

then; simply; just

就 often shows that something is enough, happens immediately, or follows naturally from what was said before.

Example

您提前一天通知我们就可以。

You just need to notify us one day in advance.

够

gòu

[goh]

enough; sufficient

Means sufficient for a need, such as enough space, time, or seating.

Example

这个位置够宽，可以坐轮椅客人。

This spot is wide enough for a guest using a wheelchair to sit.

了

[le]

change-of-state particle

Used with 快…了 to show something is about to happen.

Example

火车快来了。

The train is about to arrive.

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