微波炉
wēibōlú
The English phrase 'microwave' is translated into Chinese as 微波炉 (wēibōlú).
微波炉 is a noun used to refer to the microwave oven appliance. When you want to use a verb meaning 'to microwave' or 'to heat in a microwave', you should use the phrase 微波加热.
Meaning: ellipsis of microwave oven (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 微波炉 is composed of 微波 (wēibō), meaning 'microwaves' and 炉 (lú), meaning 'stove' or 'oven'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan, the term 微波炉 or 微波爐 is used for microwave oven. In Cantonese, the term 微波爐 is commonly used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
While 微波炉 is the noun for the appliance, the verb phrase for the action of heating food in one is 微波加热.
How do you pronounce it?
wēibōlú
Did you know?
- While 微波炉 is the standard term, some people colloquially refer to the process of microwaving as 叮 (dīng), mimicking the sound the machine makes when it finishes.
- The character 波 (bō) in 微波 is the same character used to describe 'waves' in the ocean, linking a kitchen appliance to the sea.
- In many Chinese households, if you ask someone to 'microwave' something, they might simply use the verb 热 (rè), meaning 'to heat', rather than the full technical phrase.
Examples in context
- 汤姆没有微波炉。Tom doesn't have a microwave oven.This sentence shows the use of the noun 微波炉.Tatoeba #1358526 by sadhen, translation #1026169 by CK
- 我们是时候买新的微波炉了。It is about time we bought a new microwave oven.Tatoeba #10182813 by slo_oth, translation #31187 by CC
- 这场火灾的起因是一个微波炉。The cause of this fire was a microwave oven.Tatoeba #13906391 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #13906394 by jan_OkulaJu
- 请你打开微波炉加热食物。Please open the microwave oven to heat up the food.
Example conversation
Two roommates are deciding how to heat up dinner.
- 雨婷 Yuting我们要怎么加热这个菜？Wǒmen yào zěnme jiārè zhège cài?How are we going to heat up this dish?
- 俊杰 Junjie用微波炉加热很快。Yòng wēibōlú jiārè hěn kuài.Using the microwave is very fast.
- 雨婷 Yuting这盘子可以用微波炉吗？Zhè pánzi kěyǐ yòng wēibōlú ma?Can this plate be used in the microwave?
- 俊杰 Junjie可以，没问题。Kěyǐ, méi wèntí.Yes, it's fine.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
