点心
diǎnxin
The Chinese phrase for dim sum is 点心 (diǎnxin).
点心 is used to refer to dim sum, but it can also be used more broadly to mean any small snack or pastry in general. In certain contexts, such as in teahouses across various regions of China, it may be referred to as 茶楼点心.
Meaning: dim sum (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
diǎnxin
When do people say it?
The term is closely associated with the traditional Cantonese custom of enjoying dim sum over tea during brunch or lunchtime, a practice referred to as 早茶.
Did you know?
- The phrase 点心 literally translates to 'touch the heart'. It suggests that these small bites are just enough to satisfy the appetite and touch the heart without filling the stomach.
- In some traditional settings, the first person to pour tea for others is showing respect, and the recipient may tap the table with their fingers as a silent way to say 'thank you'.
- Some dim sum dishes have names that describe their shape rather than their ingredients, such as 'phoenix claws' for chicken feet.
Examples in context
- 我最喜欢吃点心。I love eating dim sum the most.
- 请给我来点点心。Please bring me some dim sum.
- 这家餐厅的点心非常好吃。The dim sum at this restaurant is really delicious.
- 我们一起去吃早茶吧。Let's go have dim sum together.
- 今天早茶吃得真好吃。The dim sum we had today was so delicious.
- 香港的早茶是一种独特的文化。Hong Kong's dim sum is a unique culinary culture.
- 我想吃点心。Wǒ xiǎng chī diǎnxīn.I want to eat dim sum.
- 这家店的点心很出名。Zhè jiā diàn de diǎnxīn hěn chūmíng.This shop's dim sum is very famous.
- 你会做点心吗？Nǐ huì zuò diǎnxīn ma?Can you make dim sum?
Example conversation
A couple is deciding what to eat for brunch.
- 雨婷 Yuting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，我也想吃。Hǎo a, wǒ yě xiǎng chī.Okay, I want to eat it too.
- 雨婷 Yuting那家餐厅的点心很好吃。Nà jiā cāntīng de diǎnxīn hěn hǎochī.That restaurant's dim sum is delicious.
- 伟 Wei太好了，我们走吧。Tài hǎole, wǒmen zǒu ba.Great, let's go.
