汤圆

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Character Breakdown

What is 汤圆?

汤圆 (tāngyuán) are traditional Chinese glutinous rice balls, often filled with sweet or savory fillings. They are especially popular during the Lantern Festival (元宵节) and symbolize family reunion and happiness.

Usage and Context

汤圆 are usually served in a sweet soup or broth, making them a warm dessert or snack. They can be filled with ingredients like black sesame paste, red bean paste, or peanut butter. The word (tāng) means "soup" or "broth," and (yuán) means "round," reflecting their shape and serving style.

Common Collocations

  • 汤圆 (eat tangyuan): the most common phrase, often linked to festivals.
  • 汤圆 (thin skin, lots of filling): a compliment about quality.
  • 汤圆 (hot tangyuan): emphasizes the serving temperature, especially in winter.

Cultural Notes

Eating 汤圆 during the Lantern Festival is a tradition that expresses wishes for family unity. The round shape symbolizes completeness and harmony. When using 汤圆 in conversation, it often implies warmth, comfort, and togetherness.

Avoiding Confusion

Don't confuse 汤圆 with 元宵 (yuánxiāo), which are similar rice balls but differ regionally in preparation and texture. 汤圆 usually have a softer skin and are boiled in soup, while 元宵 are often dry-coated and fried or boiled.

Example Sentences

On the Lantern Festival night, our family eats tangyuan together,

The tangyuan at this shop have thin skin and lots of filling, the texture is

Drinking a bowl of hot tangyuan in winter warms both the body and the heart.