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三明治 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
三明治sānmíngzhìsandwich (loanword)HSK 6, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #2175, Hard
sānmíngzhì(san1ming2zhi4) T1
  1. 1sandwich (loanword)
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March 24, 2026

三明治sānmíngzhì(san1ming2zhi4)

三明治 (sān míng zhì) refers to a sandwich, a popular food item consisting of two slices of bread with various fillings in between, such as meats, vegetables, and condiments. This term is a loanword from English and is commonly used in casual dining contexts, particularly in fast food and cafes.

Strokes19Frequency#2175DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

Sandwiches are a common fast food item in urban China, often found in cafes and convenience stores, reflecting the influence of Western dining habits on modern Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Think of 三 (three) representing the three parts of a sandwich: two slices of bread and the filling in between. The 明 (bright) suggests the colorful ingredients that make a sandwich appealing, while 制 (to make) reminds you that a sandwich is something you create or assemble.

Meanings of 三明治

sānmíngzhì(san1ming2zhi4)
1sandwich (loanword)
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About 三明治

三明治Simplified
19Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1

Podcast: 三明治

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Podcast: 三明治

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AI Study Notes for 三明治

Usage Notes

Be mindful that 三明治 is generally used in informal settings. Common mistakes include using the word for more complex or layered foods that don't fit the traditional sandwich form. It collocates well with verbs like '吃' (to eat) and '做' (to make).

HSK Study Tips

While 三明治 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it can be useful for learners at HSK Level 3 and above when discussing food and dining. Connect it with other food-related vocabulary such as 汉堡 (hànbǎo, hamburger) to expand your culinary lexicon.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is to use 三明治 for food items like wraps or burgers, which are not technically sandwiches. For example, saying '我想要一个三明治和汉堡' (I want a sandwich and a hamburger) could confuse the listener if the context is unclear; instead, specify the type of food explicitly.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 三明治

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Component Characters

三sānthree
HSK 13 strokes一
View full entry
明míngMing Dynasty (1368-1644)
HSK 18 strokes日
View full entry
治zhìto rule
HSK 58 strokes氵
View full entry

How to say sandwich (loanword) in Chinese

“sandwich (loanword)” in Chinese is三明治sānmíngzhì

三明治 (sān míng zhì) refers to a sandwich, a popular food item consisting of two slices of bread with various fillings in between, such as meats, vegetables, and condiments. This term is a loanword from English and is commonly used in casual dining contexts, particularly in fast food and cafes.

When to use 三明治

Be mindful that 三明治 is generally used in informal settings. Common mistakes include using the word for more complex or layered foods that don't fit the traditional sandwich form. It collocates well with verbs like '吃' (to eat) and '做' (to make).

What learners get wrong

A common mistake is to use 三明治 for food items like wraps or burgers, which are not technically sandwiches. For example, saying '我想要一个三明治和汉堡' (I want a sandwich and a hamburger) could confuse the listener if the context is unclear; instead, specify the type of food explicitly.

Write 三明治

三
明
治

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Frequently Asked Questions about 三明治

三明治 is informal and commonly used in casual conversations about food.

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