薯片
shǔpiàn
The English phrase "potato chips" is translated into Chinese as 薯片 (shǔpiàn).
薯片 refers to thin, fried slices of potato served as a salty snack.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 薯 (shǔ), meaning potato and 片 (piàn), meaning a thin slice.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting individual chips, use the measure word 片 (piàn) after the number, such as in 一片薯片 (one potato chip).
How do you pronounce it?
shǔpiàn
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not confuse 薯片 (shǔpiàn, potato chips) with 薯条 (shǔtiáo, french fries).
Did you know?
- The term 薯 (shǔ) is actually a shortened form of 番薯 (fānshǔ), which refers to sweet potatoes, though it is now used broadly for potatoes in snack names.
- The character 片 (piàn) is a pictograph that originally represented a slice of something. This visual logic is still present in how 薯片 is written today.
- In a Chinese grocery store, you might find 薯片 (shǔpiàn) marketed with flavors like 'Spicy and Salty' or 'Seaweed', which are much more common than the classic 'Salt and Vinegar' found in English-speaking countries.
Examples in context
- 我不该把一整包薯片都吃完的。I shouldn't have eaten the whole bag of potato chips.This sentence is useful for expressing regret about eating an entire bag of 薯片.Tatoeba #8753049 by crescat, translation #953599 by CK
- 你吃薯片。You eat potato chips.This sentence is useful for stating that someone eats 薯片.Tatoeba #3378239 by GlossaMatik, translation #3378240 by _undertoad
- 你有薯片吗?Do you have potato chips?
- 请给我一包薯片Please give me a bag of potato chips.
- 我喜欢吃马铃薯片I like to eat potato chips.
- 这家店的马铃薯片非常好吃The potato chips at this shop are very delicious.
- 你喜欢薯条还是马铃薯片?Do you prefer French fries or potato chips?
- 这家小吃摊有很好吃的炸薯片This snack stall has delicious deep-fried potato chips.
- 我想买一包薯片。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī bāo shǔpiàn.I want to buy a bag of potato chips.
Example conversation
Two friends are choosing a snack while watching a movie.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你想吃什么零食？Nǐ xiǎng chī shénme língshí?What snack do you want to eat?
- 俊杰 Junjie我们吃薯片吧。Wǒmen chī shǔpiàn ba.Let's eat potato chips.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen好啊，我也有。Hǎo a, wǒ yě yǒu.Okay, I have some too.
- 俊杰 Junjie那太好了。Nà tài hǎo le.That's great.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
