螃蟹
pángxiè
The English word "crab" is translated into Chinese as 螃蟹 (pángxiè). Wiktionary also lists 蟹 (xiè).
Meaning: crustacean (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 螃蟹 | pángxiè |
| 蟹 | xiè |
The term refers to the crustacean. You may encounter the term in specific culinary contexts, such as 蟹黄包 (xièhuáng bāo), which are steamed crab roe dumplings or when referring to specific species like the 梭子蟹 (suōzǐxiè), a swimming crab or blue crab commonly found in Chinese markets.
Which one should you use?
螃蟹 (pángxiè) is the full noun for crab. In contrast, 蟹 (xiè) is the single-character form that is often used in more formal contexts or within compound words.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting crabs, you must use the measure word 只 (zhī) before the noun, for example, 一只螃蟹 (one crab).
How do you pronounce it?
pángxiè
Did you know?
- The name 螃蟹 (pángxiè) literally means 'side crab', a nickname inspired by the creature's habit of walking sideways rather than forward.
- In traditional Chinese medicine, the 'nature' of the 螃蟹 is considered 'cold', meaning it is often paired with ginger to balance the body.
- In Chinese culture, the crab is often associated with the concept of 'walking sideways' in a metaphorical sense, sometimes implying someone who is indirect or avoids a direct confrontation.
Examples in context
- 第一个吃螃蟹的人一定也吃过蜘蛛。The first person who ate crab must also have tried to eat a spider.This sentence uses 螃蟹 to discuss the first person who ate the crustacean.Tatoeba #8606826 by slo_oth, translation #6888194 by voxbubnya
- 快看快看！橙子树的树枝上有一只蓝色的寄居蟹！Look, look! On the branch of the orange tree, there is a blue hermit crab!This sentence uses 蟹 to describe a blue hermit crab.Tatoeba #8742144 by crescat, translation #8932621 by iiujik
- 请给我一份螃蟹Please give me a portion of crab
- 这只螃蟹很大。Zhè zhī pángxiè hěn dà.This crab is very big.
Example conversation
At a seafood market.
- 雨婷 Yuting你看，那边的螃蟹很新鲜。Nǐ kàn, nàbiān de pángxiè hěn xīnxiān.Look, the crabs over there are very fresh.
- 浩然 Haoran确实，我们也买一些吧。Quèshí, wǒmen yě mǎi yīxiē ba.Indeed, let's buy some too.
- 雨婷 Yuting浩然，你想买这种吗？Hàorán, nǐ xiǎng mǎi zhè zhǒng ma?Haoran, do you want to buy this kind?
- 浩然 Haoran好，就买这个。Hǎo, jiù mǎi zhège.Okay, let's buy this one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “crab” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 螃蟹, 蟹, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
