noun HSK 4
Traditional 托盤
tuō pán
tray · serving tray · salver

Meaning

托盘 refers to a flat, shallow container used for carrying or serving food, drinks, or other items. It's commonly seen in restaurants, cafeterias, and homes for transporting multiple items at once.

Usage

This word is used in everyday contexts when referring to trays in dining settings, service industries, or household use. Waiters use 托盘 to carry dishes, and office workers might use one to deliver documents or tea. It's a neutral, common term used across all registers.

Examples

  1. 01
    服务员端着托盘走过来了。
    yuán duān zhe tuō pán zǒu guò lái le.
    The waiter came over carrying a tray.
  2. 02
    请把这些杯子放在托盘上。
    Qǐng zhè xiē bēi zi fàng zài tuō pán shàng.
    Please put these cups on the tray.

Characters

Measure words

  • 一个托盘
  • zhī两只托盘

Common collocations

  • 托盘
    duān tuō pán
    to carry a tray
  • 茶水托盘
    chá shuǐ tuō pán
    tea service tray
  • 餐盘托盘
    cān pán tuō pán
    food service tray

Origin

The word combines 托 (to hold/support) and 盘 (plate/dish), literally meaning 'a plate that holds things,' describing its function perfectly.

Related