馒 (mán) - Steamed bun — a type of leavened, steamed

馒Tone 2

mán ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

伦妙

馒 · mán

Steamed bun — a type of leavened, steamed bread or bun in Chinese cuisine, typically round and soft.

Steamed bun — a type of leavened, steamed

Usage highlights

Steamed bunMantouSteamed breadWhite steamed bunWhole wheat steamed bunHomemade steamed bun

Synonyms

  • 包子— Baozi — stuffed steamed bun
  • 馍— Mo — regional term for steamed bread/bun

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I had a steamed bun for breakfast (馒头).
  • This shop sells delicious buns (馒头).
  • He likes stuffed buns (包子) more than plain steamed buns (馒头).
  • We made steamed buns at home (蒸馒头).

Collocations

  • Steamed bun(馒头)
  • Mantou(馒头)
  • Steamed bread(蒸馒头)
  • White steamed bun(白馒头)
  • Whole wheat steamed bun(全麦馒头)
  • Homemade steamed bun(家常馒头)

Idioms

  • To steam a bun — to do something futile(蒸馒头 — metaphor for wasted effort)
  • A bun without filling — something plain or uninteresting(没馅的馒头)
  • To steal a bun and lose the dog — to suffer a greater loss while seeking a small gain(偷馒头丢狗)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 馒头 (mántou) is a staple food in northern China, often eaten as a main carbohydrate source.
  • Historically, steamed buns were used in religious ceremonies and festivals.
  • In some regions, specially shaped or colored buns are made for celebrations like weddings and New Year.

FAQ