爆米花
bàomǐhuā
The English phrase "popcorn" is 爆米花 (bàomǐhuā) in Mandarin. Wiktionary also lists 玉米花 (yùmǐhuā).
Meaning: a snack food made from corn kernels popped by dry heating (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 玉米花 | yùmǐhuā |
| 爆米花 | bàomǐhuā |
In Mandarin, the term for the snack food made from corn kernels popped by dry heating is 爆米花.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 爆米花 is composed of 爆 meaning to pop or explode, 米 meaning rice or grain and 花 meaning flower or blossom, literally translating to "exploded grain flower".
Which one should you use?
While 玉米花 (yùmǐhuā) literally means "corn flower", 爆米花 (bàomǐhuā) is the standard term used to refer to the actual snack "popcorn".
How do you pronounce it?
bàomǐhuā
Did you know?
- The character 爆 in 爆米花 is the same word used for 'explosion' or 'bomb'. In Mandarin, the act of popping corn is described using the same logic as a detonating blast.
- In mainland China, you will often find popcorn sold as a sweet treat in traditional markets, whereas the salty version is more closely associated with Western-style cinema.
- Because the word 玉米 for corn literally means 'jade rice', the alternative phrase 玉米花 describes the snack as a 'jade rice flower'.
Examples in context
- 湯姆要爆米花。Tom wants popcorn.This sentence shows how to express that someone wants 爆米花.Tatoeba #6947202 by xjjAstrus, translation #4502826 by CK
- 爆米花是我最喜欢的零食。Popcorn is my favorite snack.This sentence is useful for saying that 爆米花 is a favorite snack.Tatoeba #5993948 by verdastelo9604, translation #3820754 by CK
- “聞起來像爆米花。”“你說的對！”"It smells like popcorn." "You're right!"This sentence is useful for describing a smell that is like 爆米花.Tatoeba #6947205 by xjjAstrus, translation #6956723 by znc
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man and a woman are watching a movie at home.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我們要不要吃爆米花？Wǒmen yào bù yào chī bàomǐhuā?Do you want to eat some popcorn?
- 佳怡 Jiayi好啊，我也想吃。Hǎo a, wǒ yě xiǎng chī.Sure, I want some too.
- 志强 Zhiqiang這袋爆米花是甜的。Zhè dài bàomǐhuā shì tián de.This bag of popcorn is sweet.
- 佳怡 Jiayi太棒了，我很喜歡。Tài bàng le, wǒ hěn xǐhuān.Great, I love it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “popcorn” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
