微胖
wei pang
The Chinese word for chubby is 微胖 (wei pang).
微胖 is used to describe a person who is somewhat fat. While it implies a pleasant or slightly heavy build, using the single word 胖 is more direct and can sometimes be perceived as blunt or rude depending on the context.
Meaning: of a person, somewhat fat (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 微 (wei), meaning 'slightly' or 'micro' and 胖 (pang), meaning 'fat'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
微胖 is a more polite and euphemistic way to describe someone as chubby compared to using the word 胖 alone. In contrast, other terms like 胖子 (pàng zi) refer to a chubby person and 胖乎乎 (pàng hū hū) can be used to mean chubby or plump. For a more positive or appreciative tone, you might use 丰满 (fēng mǎn) to mean plump or well-rounded. If you want to be affectionate or playful, you can use 胖嘟嘟 (pàng dū dū) to describe someone as chubby or 肥嘟嘟 (féi dū dū) as an endearing term. There is also the colloquial term 胖墩儿 (pàng dūn er), which describes someone who is chubby in a cute and lovable way.
How do you pronounce it?
wei pang
Did you know?
- The phrase 微胖 became a viral internet trend in China, evolving from a simple descriptor into a 'body positive' aesthetic preferred by some young people.
- In Chinese culture, describing a baby as 胖嘟嘟 is considered a compliment to the parents, implying the child is healthy and well-nourished.
- The colloquialism 胖墩儿 (pàng dūn er) uses the suffix 儿 (er), a common feature in Northern Chinese dialects like Beijing Mandarin, to make the word sound more rhythmic and cute.
Examples in context
- 小宝宝看起来胖乎乎的 (Xiǎo bǎo bǎo kàn qǐ lái pàng hū hū de)The baby looks chubby.
- 她身材丰满，非常漂亮 (Tā shēn cái fēng mǎn, fēi cháng piào liang)She has a well-rounded figure and is very beautiful.
- 这个小狗胖嘟嘟的，太可爱了 (Zhè gè xiǎo gǒu pàng dū dū de, tài kě ài le)This little dog is chubby, it's so cute!
- 他真是个肥嘟嘟的孩子 (Tā zhēn shì gè féi dū dū de hái zi)He is such a chubby child.
- 我最好的朋友是个胖墩儿 (Wǒ zuì hǎo de péng yǒu shì gè pàng dūn er)My best friend is a chubby sweetheart.
- 她看起来微胖。Tā kàn qǐlái wēipàng.She looks a little chubby.
- 我最近变得微胖了。Wǒ zuìjìn biàn de wēipàng le.I have become a little chubby lately.
- 这个男孩微胖，很可爱。Zhège nánhái wēipàng, hěn kě'ài.This boy is chubby and very cute.
Example conversation
Wei and Zihan are talking about a friend's new photo.
- 伟 Wei你看，他现在是不是微胖了？Nǐ kàn, tā xiànzài shì bù shì wēipàng le?Look, has he become chubby now?
- 梓涵 Zihan好像是，但这样看起来更健康。Hǎoxiàng shì, dàn zhèyàng kàn qǐlái gèng jiànkāng.It seems so, but he looks healthier this way.
- 伟 Wei我也觉得他这样挺可爱的。Wǒ yě juéde tā zhèyàng tǐng kě'ài de.I also think he's quite cute like this.
- 梓涵 Zihan对，微胖确实很有亲和力。Duì, wēipàng quèshí hěn yǒu qīnhélì.True, being chubby really makes someone approachable.
