意面
yì miàn
The English word "pasta" is translated into Chinese as 意面 (yì miàn).
意面 is used to refer to a dish or serving of pasta.
Meaning: dish or serving (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
意面 is a contraction of 意大利面 (yì dà lì miàn), where 意 (yì) is an abbreviation for 意大利 (Italy) and 面 (miàn) means noodles or flour-based products.
Which one should you use?
While 意面 specifically refers to Italian-style pasta, the term 面条 (miàn tiáo) is the general term for all types of noodles, including Chinese varieties.
How do you pronounce it?
yì miàn
Did you know?
- While 意面 means Italian pasta, the character 面 (miàn) also means 'face'. In certain contexts, saying you have 'noodles' on your 'face' can lead to humorous misunderstandings.
- In some Chinese dialects, the word for noodles is closely linked to the concept of 'longevity', where eating long strands of noodles is a symbolic way to wish someone a long life.
- In China, 意大利面 is often served with a thick, tomato-based sauce that is significantly sweeter than traditional Italian versions to suit local palates.
Examples in context
- 你吃意面吗？Do you eat pasta?This sentence is useful for asking if someone eats 意面.Tatoeba #9961277 by GlossaMatik, translation #7702267 by Yanahma
- 咱们今晚吃通心粉吧！Let's have macaroni pasta tonight!
- 你喜欢吃意粉吗？Do you like to eat pasta?
- 这盘意面很好吃。Zhè pán yìmiàn hěn hǎochī.This serving of pasta is delicious.
- 我想吃一份意面。Wǒ xiǎng chī yī fèn yìmiàn.I want to eat a serving of pasta.
Example conversation
At an Italian restaurant, a couple is deciding what to order.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你想吃什么？Nǐ xiǎng chī shénme?What do you want to eat?
- 浩然 Haoran我点一份意面吧。Wǒ diǎn yī fèn yìmiàn ba.I will order a serving of pasta.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen好，我也点意面。Hǎo, wǒ yě diǎn yìmiàn.Okay, I will order pasta too.
- 浩然 Haoran这家的意面很有名。Zhè jiā de yìmiàn hěn yǒumíng.This place's pasta is very famous.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
