An egg containing an embryo inside a protective shell. Egg; something ball-shaped or egg-like; zero score. A creature (虫) tucked under a shell-like cap (疋) forms an egg.
Bare 蛋 as the object of eating sounds like you're eating the idea of egg, not food. People say 鸡蛋.
Eggs are 下 (laid), not 生 (born). 生 makes it sound like the chicken gave birth to a baby.
Bare 蛋 is egg as an idea; the egg you eat is 鸡蛋.
| Context | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| A real egg you eat | 我吃鸡蛋 | 我吃蛋 |
| Buying eggs at the market | 我买十个鸡蛋 | 我买十个蛋 |
| Inside a food word | 蛋炒饭 | 鸡炒饭 |
个 is the everyday counter for eggs; 只 is for live animals, not breakfast.
| Counter | Feel | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 个 | neutral, everyday | 一个鸡蛋, 一个苹果 |
| 只 | one live animal | 一只鸡, 一只猫 |
| 颗 / 枚 | small and round, slightly finer or formal | 一颗鸡蛋, 一枚鸡蛋 |
X + 蛋 is a teasing way to label a person, not a literal egg.
| Phrase | Means | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| 坏蛋 | bad guy / rascal | usually playful, mild |
| 笨蛋 | dummy / silly | mild teasing, harsher if serious |
| 鸡蛋 | chicken egg | literal food, never a person |
Follow Dazhong, a busy worker in China, as he finds warmth and kindness at a small noodle shop. Practice everyday words for food, weather, and expressing gratitude.
面条里有一个 鸡蛋 。
今天，面条里有两个大 鸡蛋 。
Why would a millionaire leave a table of lobster and wagyu untouched? This story explores the hidden rules of business dining and the true cost of staying alert.
到家了我就让保姆煮一碗清汤面，打两个 蛋 。
你来了我让食堂给你炒个 蛋炒饭 ，正经吃的。
This is a short dialogue about a shopping trip. A woman buys many things, including food, drinks, furniture, and pet food, while her boyfriend reminds her not to overspend.
我买了 鸡蛋 、面包、牛奶，还有一些水果，这些都是你和我的吃的和喝的东西，还有给我们的小猫和小狗吃的东西。
Before you read, think about names: a train is called 'fire vehicle' in Chinese, but there's no fire! This simple rhyme will help you laugh while reviewing everyday words.
米饭不是米， 鸡蛋 不是 蛋 ，牛奶不是奶。
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