气泡
qìpào
The English word 'bubble' is translated into Chinese as 气泡 (qìpào).
气泡 refers to anything resembling a hollow sphere.
Meaning: anything resembling a hollow sphere (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 气泡 is composed of 气, meaning gas or air and 泡, meaning bubble or foam.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwanese Mandarin, the term 泡泡 is typically used to refer to bubbles.
How do you pronounce it?
qìpào
Did you know?
- In the context of the world-famous 'bubble tea', the 'bubbles' are actually called 珍珠, which means 'pearls'.
- In the context of internet slang, 泡 can sometimes refer to 'to flirt' or 'to hook up' with someone, a derivation from the idea of 'soaking' in a social situation.
- If you use the term 泡 as a verb in a casual setting, it can mean 'to hang out' or 'to idle away time', such as in the phrase 泡咖啡馆 meaning 'to hang out in a cafe'.
Examples in context
- 在洗澡时，我喜欢玩水里的气泡。I enjoy playing with the bubbles in the water while taking a bath.
- 喺個泳池入面有好多泡泡。There are many bubbles in the swimming pool.
- 水里有很多气泡。Shuǐ lǐ yǒu hěnduō qìpào.There are many bubbles in the water.
- 你看，那个气泡破了。Nǐ kàn, nàge qìpào pò le.Look, that bubble popped.
- 洗发水里产生了大量气泡。Xǐfàshuǐ lǐ chǎnshēngle dàliàng qìpào.A lot of bubbles were produced in the shampoo.
Example conversation
Junjie and Xiaowen are drinking soda together.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你看，这里的气泡在上升。Nǐ kàn, zhèlǐ de qìpào zài shàngshēng.Look, the bubbles here are rising.
- 俊杰 Junjie是的，这瓶气泡水很新鲜。Shì de, zhè píng qìpào shuǐ hěn xīnxiān.Yes, this bottle of sparkling water is very fresh.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我最喜欢这种感觉了。Wǒ zuì xǐhuān zhè zhǒng gǎnjué le.I love this feeling the most.
- 俊杰 Junjie我也一样，味道很清爽。Wǒ yě yīyàng, wèidào hěn qīngshuǎng.Me too, the taste is very refreshing.
