How do I say 'eat more'?
The universal warm encouragement at the Chinese dinner table — from hosts, parents, and friends.
多吃点
Have some more / eat up.
Eat a bit more.
Have some more / eat up.
WHEN IT FITS
The Chinese dinner table has its own social script, and 多吃点 is the central line. It is what parents say to children, hosts to guests, and friends to each other. It is not intrusive — it is warm.
The host’s job is to keep encouraging; the guest’s job is to demonstrate that they are not being demanding. This creates a gentle back-and-forth: the host says 多吃点, the guest says 我已经吃了很多了 (I’ve already eaten a lot), the host says 再吃点 (have a bit more), and the guest may or may not accept. This ritual is about care, not about food quantity.
慢慢吃 is the phrase you say when leaving the table before others have finished — it is the polite acknowledgment that you are the one departing early, not a signal that they should hurry. It literally means “eat slowly” but functionally means “don’t rush on my account.”
别客气 (“don’t be polite”) is the catch-all host encouragement. It gives guests permission to treat the space and the food as their own, which is the goal of Chinese hospitality.
HOW PEOPLE ACTUALLY SAY IT
多吃点，别客气，就当自己家。
Eat more — don't be shy. Treat this like your own home.
Host encouraging a guest这个菜很好吃，你多吃点。
This dish is really good — have more of it.
Pointing to a specific dishCHOOSE BY SITUATION
慢慢吃
Take your time eating / enjoy your meal.
As a warm host phrase — also said when you need to leave the table before others finish别客气
Don't be polite / make yourself at home.
Encouraging guests to help themselves freely