Chinese word

饭碗

Pronunciation

Pinyinfàn wǎn

Meaning

  • nounrice bowl

Example

请把饭碗放在桌子上。qǐng bǎ fàn wǎn fàng zài zhuō zi shàng

Please put the rice bowl on the table.

Illustration for 饭碗 (rice bowl)

More examples

在行业转型中，很多人担心会丢掉饭碗。zài háng yè zhuǎn xíng zhōng hěn duō rén dān xīn huì diū diào fàn wǎn

During the industry's transition, many people worry that they will lose their jobs.

Core concept

Something that receives a meal and, by extension, stands for the work that keeps life going.

Common phrases

  • 保住饭碗bǎo zhù fàn wǎn

    keep one's job

  • 丢掉饭碗diū diào fàn wǎn

    lose one's job

  • 稳住饭碗wěn zhù fàn wǎn

    keep one's job secure

Similar words

工作gōng zuò: A job or work activity done to earn a living.
职业zhí yè: An occupation or line of work pursued over time.
职位zhí wèi: An appointed position in a company or other organization.
收入shōu rù: The amount of money earned from work or business.

Definition in Chinese

本义为盛放熟米饭的碗，引申为维持生计的职业、岗位或收入来源。běn yì wèi shèng fàng shú mǐ fàn de wǎn yǐn shēn wèi wéi chí shēng jì de zhí yè gǎng wèi huò shōu rù lái yuán

Word origin

饭 (fàn, "cooked rice") + 碗 (wǎn, "bowl") links a container for food with the livelihood that provides food, creating a familiar metaphor for work and financial support.

Usage tips

  • The word suits personal, everyday talk about work and financial support, while official or technical writing usually chooses more specific wording.

Other meanings

  • livelihoodnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 铁饭碗tiě fàn wǎnsecure jobnoun

Word lists with this word