Chinese · Day 19 · Dim Sum & Yum Cha
搭台搭檯
dā táiPinyin
to share a table with strangers
verb phrase
A highly common social practice at bustling dim sum halls during peak, crowded hours where diners must sit together at the same large circular table. It is an authentic hallmark of traditional Hong Kong and Guangdong restaurant culture.
In a sentence
周末的茶楼人山人海，既然这张大圆桌还有空位，大伙不介意和别的茶客搭台一起用餐吧？
Zhōumò de chálóu rénshān-rénhǎi, jìrán zhè zhāng dà yuánzhuō hái yǒu kòngwèi, dàhuǒ bú jièyì hé bié de chákè dā tái yīqǐ yòngcān ba？
The teahouse is packed with huge crowds of people on weekends; since this large round table still has empty seats, everyone doesn't mind sharing a table with other diners, right?