‘打包’ (dǎ bāo) literally means ‘to strike + package’, but in modern spoken Chinese it has a fixed idiomatic meaning: to request that restaurant food be placed in containers for taking away. The verb 打 here functions as a light verb indicating the action of preparing or handling, while 包 means ‘to wrap’ or ‘package’. Together, they form a common compound verb used almost exclusively in food service contexts.

This term is widely used across mainland China, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese communities—especially in casual dining, street food stalls, and delivery apps. It’s neutral in register and appropriate for both spoken and informal written communication (e.g., ordering online). Note that 打包 does not refer to packing personal belongings or luggage; for those meanings, other terms like ‘收拾行李’ or ‘装箱’ are used instead.