烈酒杯
lièjiǔbēi
The English phrase 'shot glass' is translated into Chinese as 烈酒杯 (lièjiǔbēi). Wiktionary also lists 子彈杯 / 子弹杯 (zǐdànbēi) and 小酒杯 (xiǎojiǔbēi).
Meaning: small glass (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 烈酒杯 | lièjiǔbēi |
| 子彈杯 / 子弹杯 | zǐdànbēi |
| 小酒杯 | xiǎojiǔbēi |
| 玻璃杯 | bōlibēi |
In Chinese, several terms can be used to describe a shot glass. Use 烈酒杯 to describe a glass intended for strong spirits, 子弹杯 to refer to the specific idiomatic shape of a shot glass and 小酒杯 to simply mean a small wine or alcohol glass.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 烈酒杯 is composed of 烈酒, which means strong liquor or spirits and 杯, which means glass or cup, literally translating to 'strong liquor glass'.
Which one should you use?
烈酒杯 is a descriptive term that focuses on the type of alcohol the glass is meant for. In contrast, 子弹杯 is an idiomatic term that focuses on the metaphor of the glass's shape. 玻璃杯 is a much more general term meaning 'glass cup' and does not specifically imply a small vessel for shots unless the context is provided.
How do you pronounce it?
lièjiǔbēi
Did you know?
- In some regions, the phrase 干杯, meaning 'dry the glass', is the standard accompaniment to using a 烈酒杯 to signal everyone should finish their drink.
- The term 烈酒 for strong spirits shares the character 烈 with words meaning 'violent' or 'fierce', reflecting the 'burn' of the alcohol.
- While 子弹杯 describes the shape of a shot glass, the word 子弹 means 'bullet', mirroring the English 'shot' in a completely different way.
Examples in context
- 桌子上有一个烈酒杯。Zhuōzi shàng yǒu yīgè lièjiǔbēi.There is a shot glass on the table.
- 请给我一个烈酒杯。Qǐng gěi wǒ yīgè lièjiǔbēi.Please give me a shot glass.
- 这个烈酒杯很漂亮。Zhège lièjiǔbēi hěn piàoliang.This shot glass is very beautiful.
Example conversation
At a bar, preparing for a toast.
- 浩然 Haoran雨婷，你想要用什么杯子？Yǔtíng, nǐ xiǎng yào yòng shénme bēizi?Yuting, what kind of glass do you want to use?
- 雨婷 Yuting用那个烈酒杯吧。Yòng nàge lièjiǔbēi ba.Let's use that shot glass.
- 浩然 Haoran好的，我拿给你。Hǎo de, wǒ ná gěi nǐ.Okay, I'll get it for you.
- 雨婷 Yuting谢谢你，浩然。Xièxiè nǐ, Hàorán.Thank you, Haoran.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shot glass” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
