煎饼
jiānbing
The English phrase 'pancakes' is translated into Chinese as 煎饼 (jiānbing).
While 煎饼 can refer to Western-style pancakes, it is most commonly used to refer to traditional Chinese savory street food pancakes.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 煎 (jiān), meaning 'to pan-fry' and 饼 (bǐng), meaning 'flatbread' or 'cake'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Northern China, scallion pancakes are called 葱油饼.
How do you pronounce it?
jiānbing
Did you know?
- The phrase 饼 is used in a common Chinese idiom 画饼, which literally means 'to draw a pancake'. It refers to making empty promises or describing a fantasy that cannot be realized.
- In many Chinese cities, 煎饼 is a staple breakfast street food wrapped in paper and eaten on the go. It is often customized with an egg, lettuce and a crispy cracker called 薄脆.
- The term 饼 (bǐng) is so ubiquitous that it appears in the names of many unrelated foods. For example, 'mooncakes' are called 月饼 (yuèbǐng) even though they are much denser and sweeter than a standard pancake.
Examples in context
- 我们早餐做了煎饼。We made pancakes for breakfast.Tatoeba #503212 by fucongcong, translation #2112 by CK
- 我想吃热腾腾的煎饼。Wǒ xiǎng chī rèténgténg de jiānbing.I want to eat hot pancakes.
- 妈妈在厨房做煎饼。Māma zài chúfáng zuò jiānbing.Mom is making pancakes in the kitchen.
Example conversation
A couple is deciding on breakfast at home.
- 佳怡 Jiayi伟，我们要不要吃煎饼？Wěi, wǒmen yào bù yào chī jiānbing?Wei, do you want to eat pancakes?
- 伟 Wei好啊，佳怡，听你的。Hǎo a, Jiāyí, tīng nǐ de.Sure, Jiayi, whatever you want.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我去准备食材。Nà wǒ qù zhǔnbèi shícái.Then I will go prepare the ingredients.
- 伟 Wei太棒了，谢谢你。Tài bàng le, xièxiè nǐ.That's great, thank you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
