鋅盆
san1 pun4
The English phrase 'kitchen sink' is translated into Cantonese as 鋅盆 (san1 pun4).
鋅盆 refers to the sink found in a kitchen.
Meaning: sink in a kitchen (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a compound of 鋅 (zinc) and 盆 (basin/sink).
How do you pronounce it?
san1 pun4
Did you know?
- Because the term 鋅盆 literally translates to 'zinc basin', an English speaker might find it odd that Cantonese describes the material of the sink even if the modern sink is actually made of stainless steel.
- You might hear the phrase 洗手盆 used for a sink, but this specifically refers to a bathroom washbasin rather than the 鋅盆 found in a kitchen.
- Unlike English, which uses the modifier 'kitchen' to specify the location, 鋅盆 identifies the object by its material, regardless of where it is placed.
Examples in context
- 鋅盆入面好污糟。san1 pun4 jap6 hou2 wu1 zou1.The kitchen sink is very dirty.
- 個鋅盆漏水呀。go3 san1 pun4 lau6 seoi2 aa3.The kitchen sink is leaking.
Example conversation
A couple is tidying up the kitchen after dinner.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit雅婷，鋅盆入面好多碟。jaa5 ting4, zam1 pun4 jap6 min2 hou2 do1 dit3.Ya Ting, there are a lot of plates in the kitchen sink.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting我而家就洗佢哋。ngo5 ji4 gaa1 zau6 sai2 keoi5 dei6.I will wash them right now.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit記得用個刷洗乾淨個鋅盆。gei3 dak1 jung6 go3 caat3 sai2 gon1 zing6 go3 zam1 pun4.Remember to use the brush to clean the kitchen sink.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting知道喇，俊傑。zi1 dou6 laa3, jun3 git3.I know, Chun Kit.
