Chinese word

勺

Pronunciation

Pinyinsháo

Meaning

  • nounspoon

Example

请把勺放在桌上。qǐng bǎ sháo fàng zài zhuō shàng

Please put the spoon on the table.

Illustration for 勺 (spoon)

More examples

他用勺搅拌咖啡。tā yòng sháo jiǎo bàn kā fēi

He stirred the coffee with a spoon.

Core concept

A hand-held bowl gathers and serves food, from a small table utensil to a deeper cooking scoop, while also marking one portion.

Common phrases

  • 一勺糖yì sháo táng

    a spoonful of sugar

  • 用勺舀yòng sháo yǎo

    scoop with a spoon

  • 一小勺盐yì xiǎo sháo yán

    a small spoonful of salt

Similar words

勺子sháo zi: A small everyday spoon for scooping soup and seasonings.
汤匙tāng chí: A spoon for scooping soup while eating.
调羹tiáo gēng: A somewhat old-fashioned term for a spoon used to scoop soup.

Definition in Chinese

舀取液体或固体的器具，常指一端有凹形以便盛取的短柄小器，也常用于表示少量计量。yáo qǔ yè tǐ huò gù tǐ de qì jù cháng zhǐ yì duān yǒu āo xíng yǐ biàn shèng qǔ de duán bǐng xiǎo qì yě cháng yòng yú biǎo shì shǎo liàng jì liàng

Word origin

勺 (sháo, "spoon; ladle") is an ancient picture of a scoop, and its use for one scoopful developed naturally from the vessel's capacity.

Usage tips

  • A number before this word often measures an amount in recipes or food descriptions, whereas a location or handling verb usually points to a physical object.

Other meanings

  • ladlenoun
  • spoonfulnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word