HSK Level 4

盘子

pán zi

tray

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Example Sentences

我正在洗盘子。

wǒ zhèngzài xǐ pánzi.

I am washing the plate.

盘子里有饭。

pánzǐ lǐ yǒu fàn.

There is rice in the plate.

我把盘子放桌子上。

wǒ bǎ pánzi fàng zhuōzi shàng.

I put the plate on the table.

Synonyms

碟子 (diézi)

plate, saucer, dish

托盘 (tuōpán)

tray

Antonyms

(wǎn)

bowl

碟子 (diézi)

plate

Etymology & Components

The Chinese word 盘子 (pánzi) for "plate" is composed of two characters: 盘 (pán) and 子 (zi). The character 盘 originally meant "a round, flat object" and was used in ancient times to refer to various objects such as trays, dishes, and plates. The character 子 is a diminutive suffix that indicates a small or young version of something. When combined, the two characters 盘子 (pánzi) specifically refer to a small, round, flat object used for serving or eating food, which is what we commonly know as a plate.