食(た)べ放題(ほうだい)

Forms

食(た)べる (to eat) + 放題(ほうだい) (as much as one wants)

Common patterns

The ～放題(ほうだい) pattern is productive:

• 飲(の)み放題(ほうだい) (all-you-can-drink)
• 歌(うた)い放題(ほうだい) (all-you-can-sing/karaoke)
• 見(み)放題(ほうだい) (watch all you want, e.g., streaming)
• 乗(の)り放題(ほうだい) (unlimited rides)

Usage

• Fixed price (定額(ていがく))
• Time limit (制限時間(せいげんじかん)) - usually 60-120 minutes
• May have extra charges for premium items
• Some shops charge extra for food left uneaten

Similar words

• バイキング / ビュッフェ (buffet): a self-service spread of dishes. 食(た)べ放題(ほうだい) names the pricing (eat as much as you like for a fixed price), which may be a buffet or unlimited ordering at the table, as at yakiniku shops.

Related words

• 定額(ていがく) (fixed price)