冰淇淋
bīngqílín
Ice cream in Chinese is 冰淇淋 (bīngqílín). If unsure, use 冰淇淋. Wiktionary also lists 雪糕 (xuěgāo) and 冰糕 (bīnggāo).
Meaning: dessert (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 冰淇淋 | bīngqílín | |
| 雪糕 | xuěgāo | |
| 冰糕 | bīnggāo | |
| 冰激凌 | bīngjīlíng | Mainland China |
The term refers to the frozen dessert known as ice cream.
Which one should you use?
While 冰淇淋 refers to ice cream in general, 雪糕 often specifically refers to frozen treats on a stick or more simple, icy popsicles.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some southern regions, such as Hong Kong and Guangdong, the term 雪糕 may be heard more frequently than 冰淇淋. In Mainland China, the spelling 冰激凌 is a common variant.
How do you pronounce it?
bīngqílín
Did you know?
- The term 冰淇淋 is a partial calque of the English phrase 'ice cream'.
- In some traditional contexts, frozen treats are associated with the 'cooling' properties of food used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
- In China, the term 雪糕 literally translates to 'snow cake', evoking a texture of fallen snow.
Examples in context
- 热得想吃冰淇淋。The heat is making me crave for an ice cream.This sentence is useful for expressing a craving for 冰淇淋 due to the heat.Tatoeba #2442200 by ydcok, translation #2442242 by FeuDRenais2
- 給我留點冰淇淋。Leave me a bit of ice cream.This sentence is useful for asking someone to save some 冰淇淋 for you.Tatoeba #3786751 by egg0073, translation #1663260 by liwan1208
- 我不會吃冰淇淋。I will not eat ice cream.This sentence is useful for stating that you do not eat 冰淇淋.Tatoeba #6169145 by verdastelo9604, translation #1132445 by Scott
- 当你去中国旅游时，你可以在超市里买到各种各样的冰淇淋。When you travel to China, you can buy various ice cream flavors at the supermarket.
- 这个夏天真热，来份雪糕，消消暑吧。It's really hot this summer. Let's have some ice cream to cool down.
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is deciding on a dessert at a cafe.
- 伟 Wei佳怡，你想吃什么甜点？Jiāyí, nǐ xiǎng chī shénme tiándiǎn?Jiayi, what dessert do you want to eat?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我想吃冰淇淋。Wǒ xiǎng chī bīngqílín.I want to eat ice cream.
- 伟 Wei好啊，那我们点个冰淇淋吧。Hǎo a, nà wǒmen diǎn gè bīngqílín ba.Okay, then let's order an ice cream.
- 佳怡 Jiayi谢谢你，伟。Xièxiè nǐ, Wěi.Thank you, Wei.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ice cream” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 冰淇淋, 冰激凌, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
