餛飩 / 馄饨
húntun, húndun
The standard Mandarin word for wonton, the Chinese dumpling, is 餛飩 / 馄饨 (húntun, húndun) (húntun). If unsure, use 餛飩 / 馄饨. Wiktionary also lists 雲吞 / 云吞 (yúntūn) and 抄手 (chāoshǒu).
Meaning: Chinese dumpling (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 餛飩 / 馄饨 | húntun, húndun |
| 雲吞 / 云吞 | yúntūn |
| 抄手 | chāoshǒu |
| 扁食 | biǎnshi |
| 匾食 | biǎnshi |
| 鶻突 / 鹘突 | hútū, hútú |
餛飩 / 馄饨 is the everyday Mandarin name for wontons, small dumplings usually served in broth.
Which one should you use?
雲吞 / 云吞 (yúntūn) is the standard term in Cantonese, and it is the source of the English word wonton. 抄手 (chāoshǒu) is the name used in Sichuan cuisine. 扁食 (biǎnshi) is a regional name heard in some parts of China and in Taiwan.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mandarin speaking areas say 馄饨, in Cantonese speaking areas such as Guangdong and Hong Kong say 云吞 and in Sichuan restaurants look for 抄手 on the menu.
How do you pronounce it?
餛飩 / 馄饨 is pronounced húntun, and some speakers say húndun.
Did you know?
- The Mandarin word 餛飩 (húntun) shares its name with 混沌 (hùndùn), which refers to the primordial state of 'chaos' and 'confusion' in Chinese mythology.
- While English speakers use the word 'wonton', this actually comes from the Cantonese pronunciation of 雲吞 (yúntūn), which literally translates to 'swallow clouds'.
- The Sichuan name 抄手 (chāoshǒu) literally means 'folded hands', referring to the specific way the dumpling skin is pinched shut.
Examples in context
- 我想吃一碗馄饨。I would like to have a bowl of wonton soup.
- 我们今晚吃馄饨吧！Let's have wontons for dinner tonight!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wonton” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 雲吞, 餛飩, CC BY-SA 4.0.
