叉烧包
chāshāobāo
The English phrase "pork bun" is translated into Chinese as 叉烧包 (chāshāobāo).
叉烧包 refers to a steamed bun filled with barbecued pork.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 叉烧 (chāshāo), meaning barbecued pork and 包 (bāo), meaning bun or steamed bun.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the pork bun is referred to as 叉燒包.
How do you pronounce it?
chāshāobāo
When do people say it?
This is a staple item in dim sum (点心 diǎnxīn) service.
Did you know?
- The word 包 (bāo) is used for everything from small buns to large sacks and wraps. In Chinese, a 'hamburger' is often called a 汉堡包 (hànbǎobāo), using the same word for 'bun'.
- The texture of a proper 叉烧包 is characterized by a 'cracked' or 'blooming' top, which is considered a mark of a high-quality steamed bun.
- While the English name sounds singular, in a Chinese bakery or dim sum restaurant, you will often see them grouped under the broader category of 点心, which means 'touch the heart'.
Examples in context
- 我想买两个叉烧包。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi liǎng gè chāshāobāo.I want to buy two pork buns.
- 这里的叉烧包很好吃。Zhèlǐ de chāshāobāo hěn hǎochī.The pork buns here are delicious.
- 你喜欢吃叉烧包吗？Nǐ xǐhuān chī chāshāobāo ma?Do you like eating pork buns?
Example conversation
At a dim sum restaurant during breakfast.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen伟，我们要点叉烧包吗？Wěi, wǒmen yào diǎn chāshāobāo ma?Wei, should we order pork buns?
- 伟 Wei好啊，我也很想吃。Hǎo a, wǒ yě hěn xiǎng chī.Sure, I want to eat them too.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen那我们再点一份虾饺吧。Nà wǒmen zài diǎn yī fèn xiājiǎo ba.Then let's also order a portion of shrimp dumplings.
- 伟 Wei没问题，晓雯。Méi wèntí, Xiǎowén.No problem, Xiaowen.
