cup
Meaning: A small container for drinking; a trophy; a unit of measurement
A cup is a small bowl-shaped container with a handle, used for drinking hot beverages like tea or coffee. It's also a sports trophy (like the FA Cup) and a unit of measurement in cooking (especially in American recipes). 'Cup of tea' can also mean something one enjoys or prefers.
Examples
- Would you like a cup of tea? 你想来杯茶吗?¿Te gustaría una taza de té?お茶を一杯いかがですか?차 한 잔 드시겠어요?
- England won the World Cup in 1966. 英格兰在1966年赢得了世界杯。Inglaterra ganó la Copa del Mundo en 1966.イングランドは1966年にワールドカップで優勝しました。잉글랜드는 1966년에 월드컵에서 우승했습니다.
- Add two cups of flour to the mixture. 在混合物中加入两杯面粉。Añade dos tazas de harina a la mezcla.混合物に小麦粉を2カップ加えてください。반죽에 밀가루 2컵을 넣으세요.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Old English 'cuppe', from Late Latin 'cuppa' (cup, tub), possibly a variant of Latin 'cupa' (tub, barrel). One of the earliest Latin loanwords in English. Related to 'copper' (shaped into cups).
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Story & Trivia
The phrase 'not my cup of tea' meaning something one doesn't enjoy originated in British English around the 1920s. Tea culture is so central to British identity that the humble cup became a metaphor for personal preference.
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