杯
bēinoun★Beginner
formal
cup (a container for drinking)
请给我一杯水。
Please give me a cup of water.
他喝了一杯茶。
He drank a cup of tea.
💡
Can be used for both liquid and solid contents when served in a cup-like container.
informal
glass (for drinking)
我要一杯啤酒。
I want a glass of beer.
💡
Often used interchangeably with 'glass' in informal contexts.
Collocations
一杯a cup杯子cup (container)杯酒a glass of wine/alcohol
Synonyms
Related Phrases
杯弓蛇影idiom
to be overly suspicious or jump at shadows
一杯倒phrase
to get drunk easily
💡Pro Tip
Measurement Unit
In Chinese, '杯' can also be used as a unit of measurement for liquids, roughly equivalent to 200-250ml.
⚡Gold Rule
Context Matters
The meaning of '杯' can vary slightly depending on whether it refers to the container or the contents.
📖Word Origin
Derived from the shape of a drinking vessel, originally referring to a container for liquids.
📝Usage Notes
Can refer to both the container and the contents it holds. Often used in measurements (e.g., 一杯水 = a cup of water).
Word Breakdown
杯
cup or glass
root✎ Noted on May 2, 2026ZH → EN