点心
diǎnxin
dianxin is the Chinese phrase for small snacks or light meals, often specifically referring to dim sum.
The phrase refers to small snacks or light meals. In many contexts, it specifically describes the variety of small dishes served as dim sum in Cantonese cuisine. A common way to use this is with the verb 吃 (chī, to eat) to form the phrase 吃点心, which means to eat dim sum or to have snacks.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of two characters: 点 (diǎn), which means 'to touch' or 'dot' and 心 (xīn), which means 'heart'.
How do you pronounce it?
diǎnxin
Did you know?
- The term 点心 originally referred to a light snack eaten during a fast or a religious ritual to 'touch the heart' and soothe hunger without filling the stomach.
- While 点心 is the general term for snacks, in Cantonese culture, the act of eating dim sum is called 饮茶 (yǐn chá), which literally means 'drinking tea'.
- In traditional tea houses, waiters would historically carry 点心 on large bamboo steamers and announce the dishes loudly to the room to entice other customers to order.
Examples in context
- 请给我们上一份精美的点心，谢谢Please bring us a serving of exquisite dim sum, thank you
- 我最喜欢吃点心了！I love eating dianxin!
- 我们去吃点心吧。Wǒmen qù chī diǎnxīn ba.Let's go eat dim sum.
- 这家店的点心很出名。Zhè jiā diàn diǎnxīn hěn chūmíng.This shop's dim sum is very famous.
- 你想点什么点心？Nǐ xiǎng diǎn shénme diǎnxīn?What dim sum would you like to order?
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat for brunch.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen伟，我们去吃点心吧。Wěi, wǒmen qù chī diǎnxīn ba.Wei, let's go eat dim sum.
- 伟 Wei好啊，我知道一家很棒的店。Hǎo a, wǒ zhīdào yījiā hěn bàng de diàn.Sure, I know a great place.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen那家店的点心好吃吗？Nàjiā diàn de diǎnxīn hǎochī ma?Is the dim sum at that place tasty?
- 伟 Wei非常好吃，你一定会喜欢的。Fēicháng hǎochī, nǐ yīdìng huì xǐhuān de.Very tasty, you will definitely like it.
