派
pài
The English word 'pie' can be translated into Chinese as 派 (pài). Wiktionary also lists 餡餅 / 馅饼 (xiànbǐng) and 排 (pái).
Meaning: type of pastry (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 派 | pài |
| 餡餅 / 馅饼 | xiànbǐng |
| 排 | pái |
In Chinese, the word used for 'pie' depends on the style of the pastry. The term 派 is a phonetic loanword specifically used for Western-style pies. In contrast, 馅饼 refers to traditional Chinese-style stuffed pastries or meat pies.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 馅饼 is composed of 馅, meaning 'filling' and 饼, meaning 'round pastry' or 'cake'.
Which one should you use?
Use 派 when referring to Western-style pies. Use 馅饼 when referring to traditional Chinese-style filled pastries. Note that 排 is a different word meaning 'row' or 'slice' and should not be used for 'pie'.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is pài.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse the pronunciation of 派 (pài, pie) with 排 (pái, row/slice) due to their similar sounds.
Did you know?
- The character 派 is also used in Chinese to mean a 'clique' or a 'political faction'.
- While 派 is used for 'pie' today, the character originally referred to a stream or a branch of a river because it contains the 'water' radical.
- In Chinese, the word 饼 in 馅饼 covers a vast range of foods, including pancakes, crackers and flatbreads, not just pastries.
Examples in context
- 我想做个派。I want to make a pie.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to make a 派.Tatoeba #4625752 by Yashanti, translation #2361775 by CK
- 谁想来一块派？Who wants a slice of pie?This sentence is useful for offering a slice of 派.Tatoeba #8511067 by maxine, translation #3821501 by CK
- 誰想要蘋果派？Who wants apple pie?This sentence is useful for asking if someone wants an apple 派.Tatoeba #13167024 by LeviHighway, translation #7088592 by Eccles17
- 苹果派Apple pie
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Yuting are at a bakery.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你想买那个蓝莓派吗？Nǐ xiǎng mǎi nàge lánméi pài ma?Do you want to buy that blueberry pie?
- 雨婷 Yuting看起来很好吃，我想试试。Kàn qǐlái hěn hǎochī, wǒ xiǎng shìshì.It looks delicious, I want to try it.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这块派应该是新鲜的。Zhè kuài pài yīnggāi shì xīnxiān de.This piece of pie should be fresh.
- 雨婷 Yuting太好了，那就买这个吧。Tài hǎole, nà jiù mǎi zhège ba.Great, let's buy this one then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pie” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 排, 派, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
