碗 and 盘 for “a Bowl of” and “a Plate of”

Structure

number + 碗 / 盘 + food

碗 “bowl” and 盘 “plate” can count what is inside them: 一碗米饭, 一盘水果. To count the empty dishes themselves, use 个.

我饿了，想吃两碗米饭。

When to use 碗 and 盘 for “a Bowl of” and “a Plate of”

Some measure words are “borrowed” from nouns for containers. 碗 (wǎn) means “bowl” and 盘 (pán) means “plate” (as a noun usually 盘子). Put them after a number, like any measure word, and they count the food that fills them: 一碗米饭 “a bowl of rice,” 两盘饺子 “two plates of dumplings,” 一盘水果 “a plate of fruit.” Use 碗 for rice, noodles and soup, and 盘 for dishes and food served on a plate. It works just like 一杯茶 “a cup of tea,” which you already know.

桌子上有一盘饺子。

There is a plate of dumplings on the table.

我们点了两盘菜和三碗米饭。

We ordered two dishes and three bowls of rice.

桌子上有三个碗、两个盘子。

There are three bowls and two plates on the table.

这碗米饭太多了，我吃不完。

This bowl of rice is too much; I can’t finish it.

Pièges courants

Do not add 个 before the food: say 一碗米饭, not 一个碗米饭.
To count the empty dishes, use 个: 两个碗, 三个盘子.
Drinks go in 杯, not 盘: 一杯茶, not 一盘茶.

Exercice ciblé

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这米饭太多了，我吃不完

This bowl of rice is too much; I can’t finish it

wǎn

Sens

bowl; a bowl of

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When to use 碗 and 盘 for “a Bowl of” and “a Plate of”

Pièges courants

Exercice ciblé

Gardez ce schéma en révision.