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)

Typical features

• 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
• Often penalty fees for leftover food

Alternate terms

• バイキング (Viking - used for buffets in Japan)
• ビュッフェ (buffet)

Related words

• 飲(の)み放題(ほうだい) (all-you-can-drink)
• バイキング (buffet)
• 定額(ていがく) (fixed price)