擀 (gǎn) - To roll out (dough) & to flatten with a rolling pin

擀Tone 3

gǎn ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

擀 · gǎn

To roll out (dough);

to flatten with a rolling pin;

to drive away;

to expel.

To roll out (dough)to flatten with a rolling pinto drive away

Usage highlights

Rolling pinRoll out doughRoll dumpling wrappersRoll noodlesRoll flatRoll thin

Synonyms

  • 压— to press, to flatten
  • 碾— to crush, to grind

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Roll out the dough for dumplings (擀饺子皮).
  • She is making noodles by rolling the dough (擀面条).
  • Use a rolling pin to flatten it (用擀面杖擀).
  • The process of rolling dough is called 'ganmian' (擀面).

Collocations

  • Rolling pin(擀面杖)
  • Roll out dough(擀面团)
  • Roll dumpling wrappers(擀饺子皮)
  • Roll noodles(擀面条)
  • Roll flat(擀平)
  • Roll thin(擀薄)

Idioms

  • Rolling dough and making noodles(擀面杖吹火 — literally 'using a rolling pin to blow on a fire', meaning totally incompetent or using the wrong tool for the job)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Primarily associated with culinary practices, especially in Northern Chinese cuisine where wheat-based foods like noodles and dumplings are staples.
  • The character contains the hand radical (扌), indicating an action performed with the hands.
  • The rolling pin (擀面杖) is an essential tool in traditional Chinese kitchens for making various flour-based foods.

FAQ