面条
miàntiáo
The Chinese word for noodles is 面条 (miàntiáo).
The term 面条 refers to a food made from dough that is rolled and cut into long, thin strips. If you are specifically referring to the style of noodles that are pulled by hand, use the term 拉面.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 面条 is composed of 面 (miàn), meaning flour or dough and 条 (tiáo), which is a classifier for long, thin objects.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain parts of northern China, particularly Beijing, you may hear the colloquial form 面儿 (miàn er) to refer to noodles.
How do you pronounce it?
miàntiáo
Did you know?
- It is considered bad luck to slurp up or cut your 面条 during a celebration, as long noodles symbolize a long and healthy life.
- The character 面 refers to both 'noodles' and the 'face' or 'surface' of something, depending on the pronunciation and context.
- While English uses 'noodles' as a general term, Chinese speakers often distinguish between 面 (miàn) for wheat and 粉 (fěn) for rice-based noodles.
Examples in context
- 你吃面条还是吃饭？Do you want to eat noodles or rice?Tatoeba #1477275 by GlossaMatik, translation #1477322 by CM
- Tom会做面条。Tom knows how to make noodles.Tatoeba #2889889 by Popolon, translation #10369314 by DaoSeng
- 我点了青蛙加面条。I ordered frogs and noodles.Tatoeba #1016729 by mazztech, translation #1016755 by mazztech
- 我想吃面条，你推荐一家好的面馆吧。I want to eat noodles, can you recommend a good noodle restaurant?
- 这家餐厅的面食非常有特色。The noodles in this restaurant are very distinctive.
- 哎，我肚子饿了，咱们找个小吃摊吃点面儿吧。Hey, I'm hungry. Let's find a street food stall and have some noodles.
- 这家馆子的麵很好吃，你一定要尝一下。The noodles at this restaurant are delicious. You must try them.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A casual lunch at a small restaurant.
- 梓涵 Zihan你想吃面条吗？Nǐ xiǎng chī miàntiáo ma?Do you want to eat noodles?
- 浩然 Haoran我想吃面条，我也想喝汤。Wǒ xiǎng chī miàntiáo, wǒ yě xiǎng hē tāng.I want to eat noodles, and I also want to drink soup.
- 梓涵 Zihan这家店的面条很好吃。Zhè jiā diàn de miàntiáo hěn hǎochī.The noodles at this shop are very delicious.
- 浩然 Haoran好的，我们点一份面条吧。Hǎo de, wǒmen diǎn yī fèn miàntiáo ba.Okay, let's order a serving of noodles.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
