noun HSK 4
small plate · dish · saucer
Meaning
碟 refers to a small, shallow dish or plate typically used for serving food, condiments, or as a saucer under a cup. It's smaller than a regular dinner plate (盘) and is commonly seen in Chinese dining settings for individual portions, sauces, or side dishes.
Usage
This word is commonly used in restaurants and home dining contexts. It often appears with measure words when counting dishes of food. In modern usage, it can also refer to a disc (like a CD or DVD) in compound words. Native speakers use it casually in everyday conversation about meals and tableware.
Examples
- 01服务员给我们端来了几碟小菜。.The waiter brought us several small dishes of appetizers.
- 02请把酱油放在那个小碟里。.Please put the soy sauce in that small dish.
Measure words
- 个一个碟子
- 只三只碟
Common collocations
- 小碟small dish
- 一碟菜a dish of food
- 茶碟tea saucer
- 光碟CD, DVD, disc
Origin
The character 碟 contains the stone/jade radical 石, suggesting its historical connection to ceramic or pottery dishware. The right component 枼 provides the phonetic element.