Learning how to say “plate” in Chinese is not only a useful way to expand your vocabulary, but it also enables you to communicate effectively while dining or shopping in Chinese-speaking regions. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to express “plate” in Mandarin Chinese. While regional variations exist, we will primarily focus on standard Mandarin Chinese, widely understood across China and many other Chinese-speaking communities.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Plate” in Chinese
If you prefer using formal expressions in your Chinese conversations, the following terms will be quite helpful:
- pánzi 盘子: This is the most commonly used term for “plate” in Mandarin Chinese. It is suitable for both formal and informal situations. For example:
请给我一个盘子。
Qǐng gěi wǒ yīgè pánzi.
Please give me a plate.
pán 盘: This term is more formal and is often used to refer to larger plates or platters. In certain contexts, it can also mean “dish.” For instance:
这个菜很大，需要一个大盘。
Zhège cài hěn dà, xūyào yīgè dà pán.
This dish is large, we need a big plate.
jiānjiǎ 家碱: While less commonly used, this term specifically refers to blue-and-white porcelain plates, often associated with traditional or antique style. It carries an air of elegance and cultural connotation. For example:
这家碱真漂亮。
Zhè jiānjiǎn zhēn piàoliang.
This blue-and-white porcelain plate is really beautiful.
Informal Ways to Say “Plate” in Chinese
If you are looking for more casual and informal ways to say “plate” in Chinese, the following terms are commonly used:
- píngzi 盆子: This term, derived from a regional variation in Northern China, is commonly used in informal contexts to refer to a plate or shallow bowl. It adds a friendlier tone to your speech. For example:
这个碗太小了，我们要用一个大盆子。
Zhège wǎn tài xiǎo le, wǒmen yào yòng yīgè dà píngzi.
This bowl is too small. We need to use a big plate.
pǐ 郫: This informal term, originating from Sichuan dialect, is commonly used in the Sichuan province and nearby regions. It refers to a plate or shallow container for serving food. For instance:
这道菜太辣了，麻烦给我个郫。
Zhè dào cài tài là le, máfan gěi wǒ gè pǐ.
This dish is too spicy. Can you give me a plate, please?
Making Sense of Regional Variations
While Mandarin Chinese is the standard language across China, variations in regional dialects and vocabulary exist. Let’s explore a few regional variations of the term “plate”:
- In Cantonese (广东话 guǎngdōnghuà), a widely spoken dialect in southern China, the word for “plate” is baan^1zi^2 盘子. This term is similar to the Mandarin “pánzi” mentioned earlier.
- A regional variation commonly used in Taiwan is pan 版. While the pronunciation is similar to the Mandarin “pán,” it can also mean “edition” in a Taiwanese context. However, for referring to a plate, using “盤子” (pánzi) is more appropriate in Taiwanese Mandarin.
- In the Hokkien dialect (福建话 fújiànhuà), spoken in parts of Taiwan and southeastern China, the term for “plate” is pan^-zai^5 拌仔. This term should be used carefully, as Hokkien is a dialect and not the written language itself.
Remember that standard Mandarin Chinese (普通话 pǔtōnghuà) is widely understood and accepted across China, so using “pánzi” (盘子) is the safest and most universally applicable choice.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have now learned various ways to say “plate” in Chinese. Whether you prefer a formal or informal tone, you can confidently navigate conversations about plates in Mandarin Chinese. Remember to use “pánzi” (盘子) when in doubt, as it is widely understood. Enjoy enhancing your Chinese language skills and the cultural experiences that come with them!
