Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
馒头(饅頭)mántou(man2tou5)
馒头 (mántou) refers to a type of steamed bread or bun that is commonly consumed in Chinese cuisine. It is typically made from wheat flour and is often served as a staple food alongside various dishes. While it can be enjoyed plain,馒头 can also be filled with various ingredients, giving it versatility in meals.
Strokes19Frequency#23773DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 馒头 is often associated with northern cuisine and is a staple food in many households, especially in the colder regions where rice is less common. It is also a symbol of comfort food, often served during family gatherings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fluffy cloud (the character 馒) floating above a bowl of dough (the component 头 represents the 'head' or top of the bun). Together they form a delicious steamed bun, which sounds like 'man-tou' — think of a man enjoying a soft, warm bun fresh out of the steamer.
Meanings of 馒头
mántou(man2tou5)
1steamed roll
2steamed bun
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 馒头 means.
About 馒头
馒头Simplified
饅頭Traditional
19Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#23773Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L4IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 馒头
Podcast: 馒头
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 馒头
Quick Contrast
包子 (bāozi) - choose 馒头 when referring to a plain steamed bun, while 包子 specifically indicates a steamed bun filled with ingredients.
Usage Notes
馒头 is commonly used in informal settings, particularly in discussions about food. A common mistake is confusing it with 包子 (bāozi), which is a filled bun, while 馒头 is typically unfilled. The correct tone is important; 'mántou' has the second tone for 'man' and the fifth tone for 'tou'.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word,馒头 connects to other food-related vocabulary, enhancing learners' ability to discuss meals. Students should focus on its pronunciation and common collocations, such as '吃馒头' (to eat steamed buns) or '蒸馒头' (to steam buns).
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse馒头 with similar terms like 包子 or 饺子 (dumplings), leading to incorrect usage. Instead, remember that 馒头 is always unfilled and typically served plain or alongside dishes.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 馒头
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 馒头 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 馒头 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 馒头?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 馒头 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
馒头 (mántou) refers to a type of steamed bread or bun that is commonly consumed in Chinese cuisine. It is typically made from wheat flour and is often served as a staple food alongside various dishes. While it can be enjoyed plain,馒头 can also be filled with various ingredients, giving it versatility in meals.
When to use 馒头
馒头 is commonly used in informal settings, particularly in discussions about food. A common mistake is confusing it with 包子 (bāozi), which is a filled bun, while 馒头 is typically unfilled. The correct tone is important; 'mántou' has the second tone for 'man' and the fifth tone for 'tou'.
馒头 or something close to it
包子 (bāozi) - choose 馒头 when referring to a plain steamed bun, while 包子 specifically indicates a steamed bun filled with ingredients.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse馒头 with similar terms like 包子 or 饺子 (dumplings), leading to incorrect usage. Instead, remember that 馒头 is always unfilled and typically served plain or alongside dishes.
Write 馒头
馒
头
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 馒头 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 馒头
馒头 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
刚出锅的____真热火.
The steamed buns fresh from the steamer were nice and warm.
Example Sentences for 馒头 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
nsteamed roll8
1
刚出锅的馒头真热火.
gāng chū guō de mán tóu zhēn rè huǒ.
The steamed buns fresh from the steamer were nice and warm.
