siopao
/siˈopaw/
The English phrase "siopao" translates to siopao in Filipino.
siopao refers to a steamed bun filled with meat or vegetables, a dish that originates from Chinese cuisine. The term is used specifically to denote the steamed version of the bun, which helps distinguish it from baked buns.
How do you pronounce it?
/siˈopaw/
When do people say it?
In the Philippines, siopao is a common street food and dim sum item that is frequently sold in convenience stores or specialized siopao stalls.
Did you know?
- The term 'siopao' has become a cultural shorthand in the Philippines for something that is soft and white, sometimes used jokingly to describe a person's pale and smooth skin.
- The word siopao is a Filipinized version of the Hokkien bao meaning 'bun' and siopao specifically referring to the steamed meat bun.
- When ordering in a Filipino fast-food setting, you might find 'siopao' categorized under 'merienda', which refers to a snack eaten between lunch and dinner.
Examples in context
- Pwede bang mag-order ako ng isang siopao na may laman?Can I have one siopao with meat filling, please?
- Ang siopao ay isang sikat na meryenda sa Pilipinas.Siopao is a popular snack in the Philippines.
- Gusto ko ng siopao para sa meryenda.I want siopao for snack.
- Bumili si Nanay ng mainit na siopao.Mom bought some warm siopao.
Example conversation
Maria and Juan are deciding what to eat for a snack at home.
- MariaJuan, gusto mo ba ng siopao?Juan, do you want siopao?
- JuanSige, Maria, masarap ang siopao.Sure, Maria, siopao is delicious.
- MariaMayroon pa ba tayong siopao sa kusina?Do we still have siopao in the kitchen?
- JuanTitingnan ko kung may natira pa.I will check if there are any left.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry siopao, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
