Definition
家常便饭 is a four-character idiom with a literal meaning and an extended one. Literally it refers to a simple, home-cooked meal — often used as a polite, self-deprecating way to invite someone for a casual meal. Figuratively it describes something that happens so often it's considered routine or unremarkable, equivalent to 'nothing new' or 'common occurrence'.
idiom
home-style foodsimple home-cooked mealcommon occurrenceroutine matter
Examples
- 家常便饭。Jīntiān lái wǒ jiā chī gè jiā ba.Come to my house today for a simple home-cooked meal.
- 家常便饭。Zhè zhǒng shì duì wǒ lái shuō yǐjīng chéng le jiā.This kind of thing has become a common occurrence for me.
- 家常便饭,。Qǐng tā chī gè jiā jiù xíng le, bié tài kèqì.Just treat him to a simple meal, don't be too polite.
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