Have you ever traveled to China and found yourself craving a sweet treat on a hot day?
If so, you might have been searching for the Chinese word for “ice cream.”
Or maybe you’re just a language enthusiast curious about how to say “ice cream” in Mandarin.
Either way, you’ve come to the right place!
In this blog post, I’ll be answering the burning question: “How do you say ‘ice cream’ in Chinese?”
Also, Have you ever wondered: Is it icecream or ice cream or ice-cream 😆?
and Is it “an icecream” or “the icecream” grammaticaly?
How do you say “ice cream” in Chinese?
In Mandarin, the most common way to say “ice cream” is “bīng qí lín” (冰淇淋).
The word “bīng” (冰) means “ice,” while “qí lín” (淇淋) is the transliteration of the English word “cream.”
Therefore, “bīng qí lín” literally means “ice cream.”
What other words can be used to describe ice cream in Chinese?
While “bīng qí lín” is the most common way to say “ice cream” in Chinese, there are a few other words that can be used to describe the frozen treat.
One alternative is “nǎi xué gāo” (奶雪糕), which translates to “milk snow cake.”
This term is typically used for ice cream bars or popsicles.
Another option is “shuǐ guǒ bīng” (水果冰), which translates to “fruit ice.”
This term is used for fruit-flavored ice cream or sorbet.
How do you say “I love ice cream” in Chinese?
To say “I love ice cream” in Chinese, you can say “wǒ ài chī bīng qí lín” (我爱吃冰淇淋). The word “wǒ” (我) means “I,” “ài” (爱) means “love,” “chī” (吃) means “eat,” and “bīng qí lín” (冰淇淋) means “ice cream.”
Are there any regional variations for the Chinese word for “ice cream”?
While “bīng qí lín” is the most common term for “ice cream” in Mandarin, there may be regional variations in other Chinese dialects.
For example, in Cantonese, “bīng gā” (冰家) is used to describe “ice cream.”
Is there a difference between the three Chinese terms for “ice cream”?
In Chinese, there are three different terms for “ice cream,” each with its own nuances and usage.
The first term is 冰淇淋 (bīng qí lín), which is the most commonly used term for ice cream in China.
The second term is 雪糕 (xuě gāo), which is more commonly used in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
The third term is 冰激凌 (bīng jī líng), which is a term that is often used interchangeably with 冰淇淋 in China.
So, is there a difference between the three terms?
The answer is yes, but the differences are subtle. 冰淇淋 is derived from the English term “ice cream” and is a transliteration of the word.
雪糕, on the other hand, is a term that was coined in Taiwan and Hong Kong and is a combination of the Chinese characters for “snow” (雪) and “cake” (糕).
Finally, 冰激凌 is a term that was created in China in the 1950s as a translation of the English term “ice cream.”
Which term is the most commonly used in China?
As mentioned earlier, 冰淇淋 is the most commonly used term for ice cream in China.
It is widely used and understood across the country, from big cities to rural areas.
If you are in China and want to order ice cream, using the term 冰淇淋 is your best bet.
How do you pronounce each term correctly?
Now that we know the three Chinese terms for ice cream and which one is the most commonly used, let’s take a look at how to pronounce each term correctly.
- 冰淇淋 (bīng qí lín) – The first syllable, bīng, is pronounced like “bing” in “bingo.” The second syllable, qí, is pronounced like “chee” in “cheese.” The third syllable, lín, is pronounced like “lin” in “linen.”
- 雪糕 (xuě gāo) – The first syllable, xuě, is pronounced like “shweh” in “shwedagon.” The second syllable, gāo, is pronounced like “gao” in “gaoled.”
- 冰激凌 (bīng jī líng) – The first syllable, bīng, is pronounced like “bing” in “bingo.” The second syllable, jī, is pronounced like “jee” in “jeep.” The third syllable, líng, is pronounced like “ling” in “lingerie.”
Can you recommend any popular ice cream flavors in China?
Yes!
In China, some of the most popular ice cream flavors include red bean, green tea, and black sesame.
These flavors are often found in traditional Chinese desserts and are becoming more popular in ice cream as well.
19 Ways to Say the Sweetest Thing: Ice Cream Around the World
Here are the first 10 ways to say “Ice Cream” around the world:
| Language | Word for “Ice Cream” | Pronunciation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Ice Cream | ˈaɪs krim | Frozen dessert made from cream, sugar, and flavorings |
| Spanish | Helado | eˈlaðo | Typically made with milk, sugar, and fruit or other flavorings |
| French | Glace | ɡlas | Sweet frozen dessert typically made with cream or milk and sugar |
| Italian | Gelato | dʒeˈlaːto | Similar to ice cream but made with less air and more milk |
| German | Eis | aɪs | Cold, sweet dessert made with milk or cream and sugar |
| Portuguese | Sorvete | soɾˈvɛtʃi | Frozen dessert made with milk or cream and sugar |
| Dutch | IJs | ɛi | Frozen dessert made from milk or cream, sugar, and flavorings |
| Japanese | アイスクリーム (Aisukurīmu) | ai̯sɯkɯɾiːmɯ | Sweet, frozen dessert made with milk or cream and sugar |
| Mandarin Chinese | 冰淇淋 (Bīngqílín) | bɪŋ˥˩tɕʰi˥˩lɪn˥˩ | Frozen dessert made with milk or cream, sugar, and flavorings |
| Cantonese Chinese | 雪糕 (Syut3 gou1) | syut̚˨˩ kɔːu̯˥ | Sweet frozen dessert made with milk or cream and sugar |
| Greek | Παγωτό (Pagoto) | paɣoˈto | Sweet, frozen dessert made with milk or cream and sugar |
| Turkish | Dondurma | dondʊɾma | A stretchy and chewy ice cream often made with salep and mastic |
| Arabic | آيس كريم (Ais Krim) | ʔaːis kriːm | Sweet frozen dessert made with milk or cream and sugar |
| Hindi | आइसक्रीम (Aaiskriim) | aɪskɹiːm | Sweet, frozen dessert made with milk or cream and sugar |
| Bengali | আইসক্রিম (Aiskrim) | ais.kɹim | Sweet, frozen dessert made with milk or cream and sugar |
| Russian | Мороженое (Morozhenoye) | mərɐʐɨˈnojə | Sweet, frozen dessert made with milk or cream and sugar |
| Swedish | Glass | ɡlas | Sweet, frozen dessert typically made with cream or milk and sugar |
| Norwegian | Iskrem | ˈɪskrɛm | Frozen dessert made from cream, sugar, and flavorings |
| Danish | Is | iːs | Sweet, frozen dessert made with milk |
Savor the Flavor: Vocabulary for Sweets Lovers
- 巧克力 (qiǎo kè lì) – Chocolate
- 蛋糕 (dàn gāo) – Cake
- 冰淇淋 (bīng qí lín) – Ice cream
- 甜甜圈 (tián tián quān) – Donut
- 糖果 (táng guǒ) – Candy
- 棉花糖 (mián huā táng) – Marshmallow
- 布朗尼 (bù lǎng ní) – Brownie
- 软糖 (ruǎn táng) – Gummy candy
- 太妃糖 (tài fēi táng) – Toffee
- 饼干 (bǐng gān) – Cookie
How Do You Say Ice Cream In Chinese Summary
In conclusion, “bīng qí lín” (冰淇淋) is the most common way to say “ice cream” in Chinese.
However, there are a few other words that can be used to describe specific types of ice cream or frozen treats.
And if you want to express your love for ice cream in Chinese, simply say “wǒ ài chī bīng qí lín” (我爱吃冰淇淋).
Now that you’ve learned how to say “ice cream” in Chinese, why not try ordering a scoop the next time you’re in China?
Related Post:
How do you say ice cream in French?
How do you say ice cream in Japanese?
Rosy is a passionate ice cream blogger and vlogger. She shares her love for ice cream through reviews, recipes, and tips on finding the best ice cream shops. She attends festivals and events to try new flavors and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Follow her on this delicious journey to explore the world of ice cream.
