冰淇淋
bīngqílín
bing chilling is a phonetic transcription of the Chinese word for ice cream.
冰淇淋 means ice cream. Note that while many English speakers use the phonetic approximation bing chilling to represent the word, the actual Chinese pronunciation uses a q sound similar to chee rather than a ch sound.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 冰淇淋 is composed of 冰 (bīng), meaning ice and 淇淋 (qílín), which is a phonetic transliteration.
How do you pronounce it?
bīngqílín
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the ch sound as found in the English phonetic approximation bing chilling. Instead, use a q sound similar to the English chee.
Did you know?
- If you use the English-style pronunciation bing chilling in a professional setting, native speakers will likely recognize it as an internet meme rather than an attempt to speak Chinese. The phrase became a viral sensation globally due to its specific rhythmic sound in memes.
- The term 冰淇淋 entered the Chinese language not directly from English, but via a southern Chinese language.
- Traditional Chinese treats often use the word 冰 in the name, such as 冰糖葫芦 (bīngtánghúlu), which are candied haws with a hard sugar shell.
Examples in context
- 我想要吃冰淇淋。Wǒ xiǎng yào chī bīngqílín.I want to eat ice cream.
- 这个冰淇淋很好吃。Zhège bīngqílín hěn hǎochī.This ice cream is delicious.
- 你最喜欢的冰淇淋是什么口味？Nǐ zuì xǐhuān de bīngqílín shì shénme kǒuwèi?What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Example conversation
Yuting and Haoran are at a dessert shop.
- 雨婷 Yuting浩然，你想吃冰淇淋吗？Hàorán, nǐ xiǎng chī bīngqílín ma?Haoran, do you want some ice cream?
- 浩然 Haoran好啊，我想吃草莓味的。Hǎo a, wǒ xiǎng chī cǎoméi wèi de.Sure, I want strawberry flavor.
- 雨婷 Yuting我也想吃草莓味的。Wǒ yě xiǎng chī cǎoméi wèi de.I want strawberry flavor too.
- 浩然 Haoran那我们买两个吧。Nà wǒmen mǎi liǎng gè ba.Then let's buy two.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 冰淇淋, CC BY-SA 4.0.
