月饼

• Pinyin: yuè bing
• Hanzi breakdown: 月 = pictograph of crescent moon; 饼 = 食 (food) + 并, flat cake/pastry

Meaning

Mooncake. A traditional Chinese pastry eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Round pastries symbolizing family reunion, traditionally eaten during 中秋节. Come in many varieties: 广式月饼 (Cantonese style), 苏式月饼 (Suzhou style), 五仁月饼 (five-nut), 蛋黄莲蓉月饼 (egg yolk lotus paste). Often given as gifts.

Examples

1. 中秋节我们一家人一边吃月饼，一边赏月。 During the Mid-Autumn Festival, our whole family eats mooncakes while admiring the moon.
2. 这盒月饼是送给客户的礼物。 This box of mooncakes is a gift for clients.
3. 我最喜欢吃蛋黄莲蓉月饼。 I like egg yolk lotus paste mooncakes the most.

Usage Guide

Context: food, festivals, gifts

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 今年你们公司发月饼了吗？(Did your company give out mooncakes this year?)
• 这个月饼是什么馅儿的？(What filling is this mooncake?)

Don't Say

• 月饼子 (Don't add 子; 月饼 is already a complete word)

Origin & History

Compound of 月 (moon) and 饼 (cake/pastry). Named for the moon, which is celebrated during Mid-Autumn.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal