n.
steamed stuffed bun; baozi
包子
Common Usage & Traps
- 吃包子 — eat steamed buns
- 买包子 — buy steamed buns
- 一个包子 — one steamed bun
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一个包一个包子包 alone usually means a bag or to wrap; it does not mean a bun by itself.
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一包子一个包子Counting one bun needs 个 between 一 and 包子. Without it, the phrase sounds broken.
What is the difference between 包子 and 饺子?
包子 is a steamed stuffed bun; 饺子 is a dumpling. They are different foods, not two names for the same thing.
包子 has thick, fluffy dough and is usually steamed. 饺子 has a thin wrapper and is usually boiled. On a menu or price board, they are separate items. If you point at one and say the other, you will get the wrong food. “饺子七块五， 包子五块三。” (Dumplings are seven yuan fifty, and steamed buns are five yuan thirty.) ── [《一二三 住医院》](/read/hospital-days-pricey-plates#s5)
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Food | 包子 (steamed stuffed bun) | 饺子 called 包子 |
| Dough | thick and fluffy | thin wrapper |
| Cooking | steamed | boiled |
| Ordering | 买两个包子 | 买两个饺子 when you want baozi |
Do you say bāozi or bāo zǐ?
Say bāozi, with a quick, light 子. Saying bāo zǐ sounds like a dictionary reading.
The 子 in 包子 is not a full third tone. Keep it short and light, without a heavy stress. The same pattern shows up in common HSK 1 words like 桌子 and 杯子. If you stress 子, native speakers hear an unnatural pause.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| 包子 | bāozi | bāo zǐ |
| 桌子 | zhuōzi | zhuō zǐ |
| 杯子 | bēizi | bēi zǐ |
Can you say 一包子, or do you need 个?
You need 个: 一个包子. 一包子 sounds broken, not like one bun.
Chinese puts a counting word between a number and a noun. For 包子, the default counting word is 个. When ordering, say 两个包子 or 三个包子. Leaving out 个 sounds broken to native ears.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| one bun | 一个包子 | 一包子 |
| two buns | 两个包子 | 两包子 |
| three buns | 三个包子 | 三包子 |
Appears in Stories 2 stories
Real context sentences across different daily scenarios and graded readings.
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.
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包子 不是包儿，面包也不是。
Follow a traveler's unexpected hospital stay in China, where counting days and costs becomes practical learning. Practice numbers, dates, food prices, and simple descriptions of a doctor and room.
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饺子七块五， 包子 五块三。
Questions & Discussion 0 questions
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