饼 (bǐng) - A flat, round baked food & cake

饼Tone 3

bǐng ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

傲不

饼 · bǐng

A flat, round baked food;

cake;

biscuit;

pancake;

pastry.

A flat, round baked foodcakebiscuit

Usage highlights

PancakeMooncakeSesame seed cakeBiscuitPiePancake stall

Synonyms

  • 糕— cake (usually softer and stickier)
  • 点心— dim sum; pastry; snack

Antonyms

  • 饭— cooked rice; meal (as main dish vs snack)
  • 菜— vegetable; dish (savory vs pastry)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I bought a sesame seed cake (烧饼) for breakfast.
  • Mooncakes (月饼) are eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
  • This pancake (煎饼) is very crispy.
  • We often eat scallion pancakes (葱油饼).

Collocations

  • Pancake(煎饼)
  • Mooncake(月饼)
  • Sesame seed cake(烧饼)
  • Biscuit(饼干)
  • Pie(馅饼)
  • Pancake stall(饼摊)

Idioms

  • Drawing a cake to satisfy hunger(画饼充饥)
  • The pie in the sky(空中楼阁)
  • Too many cooks spoil the broth(人多嘴杂)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 饼 has been a staple food in Chinese cuisine since ancient times, with various regional specialties.
  • Mooncakes (月饼) carry deep cultural significance during the Mid-Autumn Festival, symbolizing family reunion.
  • The character reflects the importance of grain-based foods in traditional Chinese diet and culture.

FAQ