HSK 3, q, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #2815, Medium
碗
wǎn
cup
HSK 3, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #2815, Medium
wǎn(wan3) T3
1bowl, small dish
2cup
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March 24, 2026
碗(㼝)wǎn(wan3)
The character 碗 (wǎn) refers to a bowl or a small dish commonly used for serving food, especially rice or soup in Chinese cuisine. It is often made of ceramic or porcelain and is an essential item in both formal and informal dining settings. In a broader context, it can also refer to a cup, particularly in casual conversation.
Strokes13Radical石Frequency#2815DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, meals are often shared, and the use of bowls like 碗 is integral to communal dining practices, highlighting the importance of sharing food among family and friends.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bowl (碗) filled with warm soup, where the top of the bowl resembles a 'W' shape from a bird's eye view. The 'w' in 'wǎn' connects with the shape, helping you remember both its pronunciation and function as a vessel for food.
Meanings of 碗
wǎn(wan3)
1bowl, small dish
2cup
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 碗
碗Simplified
㼝Traditional
13Strokes
石Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2815Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 碗
Podcast: 碗
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AI Study Notes for 碗
Quick Contrast
碗 (bowl) vs 盘 (pán, plate) — use 碗 when referring specifically to a bowl for serving food, while 盘 is used for flat dishes.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a bowl (碗) filled with warm soup, where the top of the bowl resembles a 'W' shape from a bird's eye view. The 'w' in 'wǎn' connects with the shape, helping you remember both its pronunciation and function as a vessel for food.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 碗 (wǎn) with other similar words like 盘 (pán), which means 'plate.' This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, so it’s versatile. Avoid using it in overly formal situations where specific types of dishes might be preferred.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 vocabulary word, 碗 connects with other food-related terms such as 饭 (fàn, rice/meal) and 杯 (bēi, cup). Focus on practicing sentences that involve dining and serving food to reinforce its usage.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, meals are often shared, and the use of bowls like 碗 is integral to communal dining practices, highlighting the importance of sharing food among family and friends.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 碗 (wǎn) with 盘 (pán) and use them interchangeably, which is incorrect. For example, saying '我吃在盘里' (wǒ chī zài pán lǐ - 'I eat in the plate') should be corrected to '我吃在碗里' (wǒ chī zài wǎn lǐ - 'I eat in the bowl').
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 碗
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Grammar Patterns of 碗
碗 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
To prevent any argument, I'll toss you for who does the washing - up.
10
把酱汁分到4个碗里。
bǎ jiàng zhī fēn dào4 4 gè wǎn。
Divide the sauce among 4 bowls.
Cultural Notes for 碗
💡Did you know?
在中国，碗是用餐时非常重要的器具。它不仅用于盛饭，还可以用来盛汤和其他液体食物。
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, meals are often shared, and the use of bowls like 碗 is integral to communal dining practices, highlighting the importance of sharing food among family and friends.
Word Family of 碗
Words Containing This Character10
碗wǎnbowl
饭碗fànwǎnrice bowl飯碗
洗碗机dishwasher洗碗機
洗碗to wash the dishes
铁饭碗secure employment (lit. iron rice bowl)鐵飯碗
碗柜cupboard碗櫃
茶碗teacup
盖碗lidded teacup蓋碗
汤碗soup bowl湯碗
丢饭碗to lose one's job丟飯碗
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 碗 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 碗
Yes, 碗 can be used to refer to both solid foods, like rice or noodles, and liquid foods, such as soup. It is a versatile term in Chinese cuisine.
碗 (wǎn) refers specifically to a bowl or dish, whereas 杯 (bēi) means 'cup' or 'glass'. Understanding the differences helps in choosing the correct word for different types of containers used for food and drinks.
You can use 碗 in a sentence to indicate what you are eating or drinking from. For example, '我用碗吃饭' means 'I eat from a bowl.' This shows practical usage in daily conversation.
碗 (wǎn) means 'bowl' or 'cup' in Chinese. It is commonly used to refer to a small dish used for serving food or liquids. The character is part of the HSK 2 vocabulary, making it a fundamental word for learners.
碗 (wǎn) refers specifically to a bowl, while 盘 (pán) refers to a plate, which has a flat surface.
While 碗 can sometimes mean 'cup' in casual speech, it is primarily used for bowls. For cups, use 杯 (bēi) instead.
Yes, 碗 can be used in both settings, but in very formal situations, specific terms might be preferred.
