rice-cake, pastry, biscuit

JLPT N5 9 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Understanding (bǐng)

The character primarily refers to various types of cakes, pastries, or flatbreads common in Chinese cuisine. It can mean anything from a simple pancake to a filled pastry or biscuit.

Common Uses

  • As a noun for food items like "" (red bean cake), "鸡蛋" (egg pancake), or "月饼" (mooncake).
  • Often used in compound words describing specific types of traditional or modern snacks.

Collocations and Patterns

  • : a sweet pastry filled with red bean paste.
  • 鸡蛋: a savory egg pancake, popular for breakfast.
  • 月饼: a round pastry eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Usage Notes

When using , it usually implies a round, flat, or cake-like food item. It is distinct from 面包 (bread) or 蛋糕 (cake) in texture and cultural context. often appears in casual or culinary contexts and is a common word in everyday conversation about food.

Avoid confusing with (gāo), which refers to steamed cakes or puddings with a different texture.

Summary

is a versatile word for various cakes and pastries, essential for discussing Chinese snacks and traditional foods. Knowing common types like and 月饼 helps learners recognize cultural references and order food naturally.

Example Sentences

I like to eat red bean cakes; they are sweet and delicious.

I often eat an egg pancake for breakfast; it's simple and nutritious.

Chinese mooncakes are traditional foods for the Mid-Autumn Festival.