碗
wǎn
The English word "bowl" is translated into Chinese as 碗 (wǎn).
碗 refers to a container used for holding food.
Meaning: container for food (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form 碗儿 is used in certain regions, particularly in Northern China and is a characteristic of the Beijing dialect.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting bowls, you can use the measure word 个, such as in 一个碗 (a bowl). To express a specific quantity of food, such as "a bowl of [food]", use the structure '[number] + 碗 + [food]', for example 一碗米饭 (a bowl of rice).
How do you pronounce it?
wǎn
Did you know?
- In Chinese culture, leaving a small amount of food in your 碗 is often a sign that the host provided more than enough to eat. Clearing the bowl completely can sometimes suggest that you are still hungry.
- The character 碗 contains the radical for 'stone' (石), hinting at the ancient origins of bowls which were often carved from stone.
- The term 碗 is used in a specific phrase 端起碗来吃，放下碗来骂, which describes someone who loves the benefits of something but complains about it as soon as they are done.
Examples in context
- 你有湯碗嗎？Do you have a soup bowl?This sentence is useful for asking about the availability of a 碗.Tatoeba #9135857 by xjjAstrus, translation #2494048 by CK
- 狗坐在碗旁边。The dog is sitting by the bowl.This sentence shows the placement of a dog relative to a 碗.Tatoeba #5911714 by verdastelo9604, translation #680463 by Source_VOA
- 昨晚我吃了两个青苹果和一碗青葡萄。I ate two green apples and a bowl of green grapes last night.This sentence demonstrates how to use 碗 to quantify food.Tatoeba #10713329 by AwabiJan, translation #4520249 by mervert1
- 请给我一个碗。Please give me a bowl.
- 给我拿个碗子。Pass me a bowl, please.
- 这个碗儿很漂亮。This bowl is very beautiful.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A dining room where a couple is setting the table.
- 梓涵 Zihan志强，请帮我拿一个碗。Zhìqiáng, qǐng bāng wǒ ná yīgè wǎn.Zhiqiang, please help me get a bowl.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这个碗可以吗？Zhège wǎn kěyǐ ma?Is this bowl okay?
- 梓涵 Zihan可以，谢谢你。Kěyǐ, xièxiè nǐ.It's fine, thank you.
- 志强 Zhiqiang不客气。Bù kèqì.You're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bowl” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 碗, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
