noun / adjective HSK 2
ice · icy · to ice · to feel cold
Meaning
冰 is the standard word for ice in Mandarin. It can function as a noun referring to frozen water, or as an adjective meaning icy or ice-cold. The character depicts two dots of water (氵) next to the radical for freezing.
Usage
Native speakers use 冰 in everyday contexts for ice cubes, ice cream, and cold drinks. It's commonly used as a prefix to describe cold versions of things (冰水 ice water, 冰茶 iced tea). The adjective form often describes things that are literally or figuratively cold to the touch.
Examples
- 01请给我一杯冰水。.Please give me a glass of ice water.
- 02冬天湖面结冰了。.In winter, the lake surface froze over.
Measure words
- 块一块冰
Common collocations
- 冰箱refrigerator
- 冰淇淋ice cream
- 冰水ice water
- 冰冷ice-cold
Antonyms
Origin
The character combines 水 (water) with a radical suggesting crystallization or freezing, depicting the transformation of water into ice.