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chén
/cɛn˧˦/
small bowl
Anh ấy uống trà trong một chén sứ.
He drank tea in a porcelain bowl.
neutral
A small, often shallow bowl used for serving food or drink, typically made of ceramic, porcelain, or metal.
Mẹ múc canh ra những chiếc chén nhỏ.
Mom ladled the soup into small bowls.
Cô ấy ăn cháo bằng chén con.
She ate porridge using a small bowl.
In Vietnamese culture, 'chén' often refers to a traditional ceramic bowl, distinct from 'bát' (larger rice bowl) or 'cốc' (glass cup).
Pro Tip
Distinguishing 'chén' from 'bát'
In Northern Vietnam, 'chén' typically refers to a small, often shallow bowl (e.g., for tea or soup), while 'bát' is a larger rice bowl. In the South, 'bát' may be used for both.
Word Origin
From Middle Chinese 碟 (MC dɛp) via Sino-Vietnamese. Related to Cantonese 碟 (dip6) and Mandarin 碟 (dié).
Usage Notes
'Chén' is commonly used in Northern Vietnam, while 'bát' is more prevalent in the South for similar small bowls. 'Chén' often implies a more delicate or ceremonial vessel compared to 'bát'.
Word Breakdown
chén
small bowl
rootTừ Điển Việt Anh