筷子
kuàizi
The Chinese word for "chopsticks" is 筷子 (kuàizi).
筷子 refers to the pair of thin sticks used as eating utensils to pick up food.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting a pair of chopsticks, use the measure word 双 (shuāng), as in 一双筷子 (a pair of chopsticks).
How do you pronounce it?
kuàizi
When do people say it?
Sticking chopsticks vertically in a table is considered rude because it resembles incense offerings during funerals.
Did you know?
- The character for 'chopsticks' is actually a visual pun. It was created by adding the 'bamboo' radical to the character for 'fast', transforming the word for 'quick' into one for eating utensils.
- In traditional Chinese etiquette, it is considered impolite to use 筷子 to point at someone or to drum on the table.
- In many older dialects, the word for 'chopsticks' is completely different from the modern Mandarin word. For instance, in many Min dialects used in Taiwan, an older term is still preserved.
Examples in context
- 用筷子吃饭难吗？Is eating with chopsticks difficult?This sentence is useful for asking about the difficulty of eating with 筷子.Tatoeba #5911762 by verdastelo9604, translation #509619 by blay_paul
- 用筷子吃飯難嗎？Is it difficult eating with chopsticks?Tatoeba #6199296 by verdastelo9604, translation #755188 by sctld
- 你會用筷子吃飯嗎？Do you know how to eat with chopsticks?This sentence is useful for asking if someone knows how to eat with 筷子.Tatoeba #9135868 by xjjAstrus, translation #3122651 by chajadan
- Wǒ huì yòng kuàizi chī fàn. (我会用筷子吃饭。)I know how to use chopsticks to eat.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A restaurant where a customer is asking for utensils.
- 伟 Wei请给我一双筷子。Qǐng gěi wǒ yī shuāng kuàizi.Please give me a pair of chopsticks.
- 雨婷 Yuting好的，请稍等。Hǎo de, qǐng shāoděng.Okay, please wait a moment.
- 伟 Wei谢谢你。Xièxiè nǐ.Thank you.
- 雨婷 Yuting不客气。Bù kèqì.You're welcome.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 筷子, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
