培根
péigēn
In Mandarin, bacon can be translated as several different terms depending on the context. If unsure, use 培根 (péigēn). Wiktionary also lists 熏鹹肉 (xūn xiánròu) and 燻肉 /熏肉 (xūnròu).
Meaning: cut of meat (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 熏鹹肉 | xūn xiánròu |
| 培根 | péigēn |
| 燻肉 /熏肉 | xūnròu |
| 鹹肉 /咸肉 | xiánròu |
培根 is the most common term used in modern contexts, such as on Western-style breakfast menus or in recipes for Western dishes. Additionally, 培根 is used as a transliterated surname, such as for Francis Bacon.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 培根 is a phonetic transliteration of the English word 'bacon'.
Which one should you use?
培根 is a modern, Westernized term. In contrast, you may encounter terms such as 熏鹹肉, 燻肉 /熏肉 or 鹹肉 /咸肉.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
péigēn
Did you know?
- The character 培 (péi) means 'to cultivate' or 'to nurture', which is a common component in many Chinese names and formal terms.
- Unlike English where 'bacon' is a general term, the different Mandarin words for it categorize the meat by its chemical process, such as 熏 for smoke or 鹹 for salt.
- In many Chinese-speaking regions, the term 咸肉 (xiánròu) might lead a customer to receive salt-cured pork belly instead of the thin, crispy slices associated with Western 'bacon'.
Examples in context
- BLT 代表培根、生菜和番茄。BLT stands for bacon, lettuce and tomato.This sentence shows how to use 培根 in the context of food ingredients.Tatoeba #13539360 by LeviHighway, translation #2747481 by Hybrid
- 你要培根还是要香肠?Would you like bacon or sausage?This sentence shows how to use 培根 when offering food choices.Tatoeba #406715 by fucongcong, translation #34033 by CK
- 请给我一些培根。I would like some bacon, please.
- 请给我一些熏肉。I would like some bacon, please.
- 你喜欢培根吗？Do you like bacon?
- 你喜欢熏肉吗？Do you like bacon?
- 我想吃培根蛋堡。Wǒ xiǎng chī péigēn dàn bǎo.I want to eat a bacon egg burger.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to order for breakfast.
- 俊杰 Junjie你想吃什麼早餐？Nǐ xiǎng chī shénme zǎocān?What do you want to eat for breakfast?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我想要培根。Wǒ xiǎng yào péigēn.I want bacon.
- 俊杰 Junjie那要配煎蛋嗎？Nà yào pèi jiāndàn ma?Do you want that with a fried egg?
- 佳怡 Jiayi好啊，謝謝你。Hǎo a, xièxiè nǐ.Sure, thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bacon” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
