方便面
fāngbiànmiàn
The English phrase "instant noodles" is translated into Chinese as 方便面 (fāngbiànmiàn).
This phrase refers to pre-cooked, dried noodles sold with seasoning that can be prepared quickly using boiling water. When expressing the action of eating these noodles, the verb 吃 (chī), meaning "to eat", is typically used.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 方便面 is composed of 方便 (fāngbiàn), meaning "convenient" and 面 (miàn), meaning "noodles".
How do you pronounce it?
fāngbiànmiàn
Did you know?
- While 方便面 means 'convenient noodles', in some contexts, the word 方便 (fāngbiàn) is a polite euphemism for going to the bathroom.
- While 方便面 is the standard term, you might hear people call them 康师傅, Kāng Shīfù, which is actually the name of a massive brand that has become a genericized trademark similar to how some use 'Coke' for soda.
- Because instant noodles are seen as a 'student food' in China, they are often associated with the high-pressure environment of preparing for the 高考, or National College Entrance Examination.
Examples in context
- 今天我吃了一碗方便面。Today, I had a bowl of instant noodles.
- 他问我方便面怎么做。He asked me how to cook instant noodles.
- 我们晚饭吃泡面吧，很快就可以吃了。Let's have instant noodles for dinner, we can eat them quickly.
- 我饿了，去买包速食面吧。I'm hungry, let's go buy a pack of instant noodles.
- 我想吃方便面。Wǒ xiǎng chī fāngbiànmiàn.I want to eat instant noodles.
- 这里有方便面吗？Zhèlǐ yǒu fāngbiànmiàn ma?Do you have instant noodles here?
- 他早餐只吃了方便面。Tā zǎocān zhǐ chīle fāngbiànmiàn.He only ate instant noodles for breakfast.
Example conversation
Wei and Jiayi are discussing what to eat for a late-night snack.
- 伟 Wei佳怡，你饿了吗？Jiāyí, nǐ è le ma?Jiayi, are you hungry?
- 佳怡 Jiayi有点饿，我们吃什么？Yǒudiǎn è, wǒmen chī shénme?A little bit, what are we eating?
- 伟 Wei要不吃方便面吧。Yào bù chī fāngbiànmiàn ba.How about eating instant noodles?
- 佳怡 Jiayi好啊，我也想吃。Hǎo a, wǒ yě xiǎng chī.Okay, I want to eat them too.
