现做现卖

現做現賣

xiànzuòxiànmài

phrase

Meanings

1 made and sold on the spot
2 freshly made to order

Characters

now / on the spot

now / on the spot

Examples

他家的煎饼是现做现卖的,所以特别新鲜。

Tā jiā de jiānbing shì xiànzuòxiànmài de, suǒyǐ tèbié xīnxiān.

Their jianbing is made and sold on the spot, so it's super fresh.

这家面包店现做现卖,排队也值得。

Zhè jiā miànbāo diàn xiànzuòxiànmài, páiduì yě zhídé.

This bakery makes everything fresh on the spot — worth the queue.

Tips

grammar

现 + verb + 现 + verb is a productive pattern meaning 'do X right now and immediately do Y'. Other examples: 现学现卖 (learn it and immediately use/teach it), 现用现取 (take only when needed).

culture

现做现卖 is a marketing virtue in Chinese food culture — implying nothing was prepped hours in advance or microwaved. You'll see the phrase on signage at street stalls and bakeries to attract customers.

Stroke Order

现 xiàn

做 zuò

卖 mài