How Many Varieties of Chinese Dim Sum Do You Know? These Will Make Your Mouth Water!

Key Words: (Preview)

早点 (Záodiǎn) Breakfast
点心 (Diǎnxīn) Dim Sum; Dessert; Light Refreshments; Pastries

What is Dim Sum?

So what is "点心 (diǎnxīn) Dim Sum?" This style of Chinese food is well-known throughout all of China and is prepared in small bite-sized portions, usually served with tea and altogether forms a full breakfast or brunch. Dim sum literally translated means "to touch the heart" and there are all kinds of Dim Sum such as savory, steamed and fried "包子 (bāozi) buns," "饺子 (jiǎozi) dumplings" and "卷 (juǎn) rolls."

Learn a Mandarin Nursery Rhyme 包饺子 (Bāo jiǎozi) – Making Dumplings

Though Dim Sum can be found in many forms (even up to 100 different kinds!) and can be served in all regions of China, the cuisine is most closely associated with the "茶馆文化 (cháguǎn wénhuà) teahouse culture" in Hong Kong and Guangdong Province.

Cultural Background:

Cantonese Morning Tea is an indispensable part of Cantonese’s life. Cantonese often greet each other in the morning, by saying something like:

Chī zǎochá le ma? Hái méiyǒu de huà, yìqǐ qù ba!
吃早茶了吗？还没有的话，一起去吧!
Have you had Morning Tea yet? If not, let's go together!

"饮早茶 (Yǐn zǎochá) Drinking Morning Tea," that is to enjoy your Dim Sum and tea, which has become a very unique custom.

The Origin:

"Cantonese Morning Tea" originated in tea houses in the Qing Dynasty, where only a table, a few chairs, some tea, and simple cakes were provided, and the sign on the door said "茶馆 (cháguǎn) tea house." All guests were able to sit down, rest, chat and eat while sipping tea. These kinds of tea houses were found along every street and on every corner at that time. That was when the seeds for today’s modern Dim Sum tradition were planted.

Key Words:

饮茶 (Yǐn chá) Yum Cha; to Drink Tea
早茶 (Zǎochá) Cantonese Morning Tea
广式点心 (Guǎng shì diǎnxin) Cantonese Style Dim Sum

Examples:

Xiā jiǎo shì guǎng dōng rén zuì xǐ’ài de diǎnxīn zhī yī.
1. 虾饺是广东人最喜爱的点心之一。
The Shrimp Dumpling is one of Cantonese ’s favorite Dim Sum.

"Yǐn zǎochá" shì guǎng dōng de dútè fēngsú.
2. "饮早茶"是广东的独特风俗。
"Drinking Morning Tea" is a unique custom in Guangdong.

Let’s Take a Look at the Most Classic Types of Cantonese Style Dim Sum

(1) 叉烧包 (Chāshāo bāo) Barbecued Pork Bun
This style of Dim Sum is a "包 (bāo)" or bun which is filled with what is called cha shao pork and is either steamed or baked. The steamed buns are white on the exterior and the baked buns are browned or glazed.

(2) 虾饺 (Xiā jiǎo) Shrimp Dumpling
This Shrimp Dumpling is known as ... Read More

What Exactly Is "春运 (Chūnyùn)?"

Literally translated this word means "Spring movement," and that’s kind of what it is! The word comes from an abbreviation in Chinese that refers to "春节期间的交通运输 (chūnjié qījiān de jiāotōng yùnshū) the transportation during Spring Festival."

There is a rush that happens where every means of transportation is flooded with people traveling to and from home in order to celebrate the Chinese New Year with family.

It creates incredible travel congestion around the Lunar New Year in mainland China, generally occurring 15 days before the Spring Festival and 25 days after the festival.

Learn Some Chinese Vocabulary on Spring Festival

Who Exactly Is Traveling?

Well, practically everyone! But especially: 学生 (xuésheng) student," "农民工 (nóngmín gōng) migrant workers," and "探亲者 (tànqīn zhě) family visitors." It is actually known as the largest migration in human history!

So, we know that "春运 (chūnyùn)" means the rush that happens, but it is also used in China to mean the general period of Spring Festival. Why? Well in China, no matter how far away you live from your family, you have to go home for Spring Festival! It’s the start of a new year so spending those very first few moments and days with family is very important and special!

As soon as the Spring Festival arrives, most of people’s "微信朋友圈 (wēi xìn péngyǒu quān) WeChat Moments" is filled with "二维码 (èr wéi mǎ) QR codes" that invite friends to help other friends "抢票 (qiǎng piào) vie for/fight for tickets."

Unfortunately, even if you do obtain a ticket, then you have to face the crowded stations, the bulky luggage and the tiring journey that lasts for hours or even days. Isn’t it crazy?

So now that we understand exactly what this Spring Rush or migration is, let’s get started learning some phrases in Chinese to express things related to "春运 (chūnyùn)."

Key Learning Points:

1. 春运 (Chūnyùn) Spring Festival travel rush

Example:

Chūnyùn qījiān, jiāotōng yālì dà dà zēngjiā le.
春运期间,交通压力大大增加了。
During Spring Festival, the traffic pressure has increased a lot.

Click "Read More" to learn more transportation vocabulary in Chinese.

Quiz:

1. Please choose the best option to complete the dialogue.

Xiǎo Xīn: Lì Li, nǐ mǎi hǎo huíjiā de huǒchē piào le ma?
小新：丽丽，你买好回家的火车票了吗？

Lì Li: -----------------------------.
丽丽：-----------------------------。

Wǒ dǎsuàn huíjiā guònián.
A. 我打算回家过年。
Hái méi ne, chūnyùn qījiān de piào zhēn de shì tài nán qiǎng la.
B. 还没呢，春运期间的票真的是太难抢啦。
Qǐng qù sì hào chuāngkǒu bànlǐ tuìpiào.
C. 请去四号窗口办理退票。
See Answer Analysis