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早餐 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
早餐zǎocānbreakfastHSK 4, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #2027, Medium
zǎocān(zao3can1) T3
  1. 1breakfast
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March 24, 2026

早餐zǎocān(zao3can1)

早餐 (zǎo cān) refers to breakfast, the first meal of the day, typically consumed in the morning. It is an important meal in Chinese culture, often featuring a variety of dishes that can range from congee to dumplings, reflecting regional culinary diversity.

Strokes22Frequency#2027DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In many regions of China, breakfast can include diverse dishes such as steamed buns, rice rolls, and soybean milk, showcasing the regional flavors and preferences, which can be quite different from Western-style breakfasts.

Memory Tip

Think of '早' (zǎo), which means 'early' and resembles the sun rising, and '餐' (cān), which sounds like 'sahn'—imagine a sun rising over a breakfast table. Together, they create the image of enjoying a meal early in the day.

Meanings of 早餐

zǎocān(zao3can1)
1breakfast
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About 早餐

早餐Simplified
22Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
份Measure Word
HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 早餐

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Podcast: 早餐

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AI Study Notes for 早餐

Quick Contrast

早饭 (zǎofàn) - used more colloquially, while 早餐 (zǎocān) may imply a more formal or traditional breakfast context.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when saying '早餐' (zǎo cān), as incorrect tones can change meaning. It is mostly used in informal contexts when referring to breakfast, but can also appear in menus or discussions about daily routines.

HSK Study Tips

While '早餐' is not an HSK word, it connects well with other food-related vocabulary. Focus on remembering the tones, as they are crucial for correct pronunciation and understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '早餐' with '午餐' (wǔ cān), which means lunch. Ensure you remember '早' for morning and '午' for noon to avoid mix-ups.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 早餐

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Component Characters

早zǎoearly
HSK 16 strokes日
View full entry
餐cānmeal
HSK 616 strokes食
View full entry

How to say breakfast in Chinese

“breakfast” in Chinese is早餐zǎocān

早餐 (zǎo cān) refers to breakfast, the first meal of the day, typically consumed in the morning. It is an important meal in Chinese culture, often featuring a variety of dishes that can range from congee to dumplings, reflecting regional culinary diversity.

When to use 早餐

Be cautious with the tone when saying '早餐' (zǎo cān), as incorrect tones can change meaning. It is mostly used in informal contexts when referring to breakfast, but can also appear in menus or discussions about daily routines.

早餐 or something close to it

早饭 (zǎofàn) - used more colloquially, while 早餐 (zǎocān) may imply a more formal or traditional breakfast context.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '早餐' with '午餐' (wǔ cān), which means lunch. Ensure you remember '早' for morning and '午' for noon to avoid mix-ups.

Write 早餐

早
餐

Practice writing 早餐 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 早餐

Common dishes include congee, dumplings, steamed buns, and various types of noodles.

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