碳水化合物
tànshuǐ huàhéwù
The English phrase 'carbs' is translated into Chinese as 碳水化合物 (tànshuǐ huàhéwù).
碳水化合物 is used to refer to carbohydrates, particularly in formal, scientific or nutritional contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
The shortened form 碳水 (tànshuǐ) is a literal abbreviation of the full term, combining the characters for 'carbon' and 'water'.
Which one should you use?
碳水化合物 is the full, complete term for carbohydrates, whereas 碳水 is a shortened version used in casual conversation, such as when discussing diet and fitness.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
碳水化合物 is the formal way to say 'carbs' in Mandarin Chinese. In informal settings or casual discussions, people often use the shortened 碳水.
How do you pronounce it?
tànshuǐ huàhéwù
Did you know?
- Because Chinese cuisine is so centered on rice and noodles, people often use 主食 (zhǔshí), meaning 'staple food', when they actually mean 'carbs' in a dietary sense.
- When discussing 'cutting carbs' for weight loss, Chinese speakers often use the phrase 戒碳水 (jiè tànshuǐ), using the same verb 戒 used for quitting smoking or alcohol.
- Because 'carb' is a relatively modern nutritional concept, the word 碳水化合物 is a 'loan translation' (calque) rather than a word that evolved naturally from ancient Chinese roots.
Examples in context
- 我想尽量减少碳水化合物的摄入。I'm trying to cut down on carbs.
- 这道菜的主要碳水化合物来源是什么？What's the main source of carbs in this dish?
- 我不吃碳水化合物。Wǒ bù chī tànshuǐ huàhéwù.I don't eat carbs.
- 这种食物含有大量的碳水化合物。Zhè zhǒng shíwù hányǒu dàliàng de tànshuǐ huàhéwù.This food contains a lot of carbs.
- 减肥时要减少碳水化合物的摄入。Jiǎnféi shí yào jiǎnshǎo tànshuǐ huàhéwù de shèrù.Reduce carb intake when losing weight.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their diet at a cafe.
- 浩然 Haoran你为什么不吃面包？Nǐ wèishéme bù chī miànbāo?Why aren't you eating bread?
- 佳怡 Jiayi因为我想少摄入碳水化合物。Yīnwèi wǒ xiǎng shǎo shèrù tànshuǐ huàhéwù.Because I want to reduce my carb intake.
- 浩然 Haoran佳怡，那你会饿吗？Jiāyí, nà nǐ huì è ma?Jiayi, are you going to be hungry then?
- 佳怡 Jiayi有一点，但我能坚持。Yǒu yīdiǎn, dàn wǒ néng jiānchí.A little bit, but I can stick to it.
