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盘子 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
盘子pánzitrayHSK 3, n, rank #3856, Medium
盘子pánziplateHSK 3, n, rank #3856, Medium
盘子pánzidishHSK 3, n, rank #3856, Medium
盘子pánzi>个[gè]HSK 3, n, rank #3856, Medium
pánzi(pan2zi5) T2
  1. 1tray
  2. 2plate
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
盘子(盤子)pánzi(pan2zi5)

The word 盘子 (pánzi) refers to a plate, tray, or dish commonly used for serving food. It can be found in various contexts, such as in restaurants, homes, or during meals, and is essential in Chinese dining culture for presenting dishes. The term can also imply different sizes and shapes of serving vessels, depending on the context.

Frequency#3856DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the presentation of food on 盘子 is important, reflecting hospitality and the aesthetic of a meal. Different types of 盘子 can signify the type of dish served, contributing to the dining experience.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large, round 'pan' holding a feast. The character 盘 has a 'pan' shape on top, and '子' sounds like 'zi', which resembles a small plate. Think of a 'pan' filled with delicious food on a 'zi' (size) that makes it easy to serve.

Meanings of 盘子

pánzi(pan2zi5)
1tray
2plate
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 盘子

盘子Simplified
盤子Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3856Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 盘子

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Podcast: 盘子

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AI Study Notes for 盘子

Quick Contrast

盘 (pán) vs 碟 (dié) — use 盘子 for larger serving dishes, while 碟 is typically for smaller plates or saucers.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a large, round 'pan' holding a feast. The character 盘 has a 'pan' shape on top, and '子' sounds like 'zi', which resembles a small plate. Think of a 'pan' filled with delicious food on a 'zi' (size) that makes it easy to serve.

Usage Notes

When using 盘子, be mindful of the tone; incorrect pronunciation may lead to misunderstandings. It is often used in both formal and informal settings, but in formal contexts, you might specify the type of dish or tray. Common collocations include 盘子里 (on the plate) and 一盘子 (a plate of).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 3 word, 盘子 connects with other food-related vocabulary, such as 食物 (shíwù - food) and 餐 (cān - meal). Students should focus on practicing its usage in sentences about meals and dining.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the presentation of food on 盘子 is important, reflecting hospitality and the aesthetic of a meal. Different types of 盘子 can signify the type of dish served, contributing to the dining experience.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 盘子 with 碗, mistakenly using one for the other when discussing serving dishes. For example, saying '我吃饭在盘子' (I eat rice on a plate) instead of '我吃饭在碗' (I eat rice in a bowl) shows this common error.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 盘子

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Component Characters

盘pánplate
HSK 611 strokes皿
View full entry
子zison
HSK 33 strokes子
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Write 盘子

盘
子

Practice writing 盘子 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 盘子

盘子 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

桌上空____的旁边是一堆书。

On the table beside an empty plate was a pile of books.

Example Sentences for 盘子 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
桌上空盘子的旁边是一堆书。

zhuō shàng kōng pán zǐ de páng biān shì yī duī shū。

On the table beside an empty plate was a pile of books.
2
她俯在水槽边洗盘子。

tā fǔ zài shuǐ cáo biān xǐ pán zǐ。

She was bent over the sink washing the dishes.
3
我将意大利面滤干，然后平分到两个盘子里。

wǒ jiāng yì dà lì miàn lǜ gān， ， rán hòu píng fēn dào liǎng gè pán zǐ。

I drain the pasta, then I share it out between two plates.
4
用玫瑰花形的掼奶油和新鲜的水果作配菜点缀盘子。

yòng méi guī huā xíng de guàn nǎi yóu hé xīn xiān de shuǐ guǒ zuò pèi cài diǎn zhuì pán zǐ。

Garnish the plate with whipped cream rosettes and fresh fruits.
5
我的服务员麻利地撤走盘子并搁下我的账单。

wǒ de fú wù yuán má lì dì chè zǒu pán zǐ bìng gē xià wǒ de zhàng dān。

My waitress whipped the plate away and put down my bill.
6
让黄油在微波适用的大盘子里熔化20秒钟。

ràng huáng yóu zài wēi bō shì yòng de dà pán zǐ lǐ róng huà20 20 miǎo。

In a large microwave-proof dish, melt butter for 20 seconds.
7
女服务生收拾走盘子，端来了咖啡。

nǚ fú wù shēng shōu shí zǒu pán zǐ， ， duān lái le kā。

The waitress had cleared away the plates and brought coffee.
8
在搅拌做蛋奶酥的各种原料之前先要把盘子准备好。

zài jiǎo bàn zuò dàn nǎi sū de gè zhǒng yuán liào zhī qián xiān yào bǎ pán zǐ zhǔn bèi hǎo。

Prepare the souffle dish before making up the souffle mixture.
9
我正在把那些小嫩苗分装进有分格的盘子里。

wǒ zhèng zài bǎ nà xiē xiǎo nèn miáo fēn zhuāng jìn yǒu fēn gé de pán zǐ lǐ。

I was spacing out the seedlings into divided trays.
10
请用含消毒剂的肥皂水洗盘子.

qǐng yòng hán xiāo dú jì de féi zào shuǐ xǐ pán zǐ.

Please wash the dishes with the soapy water containing disinfectant.

Cultural Notes for 盘子

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the presentation of food on 盘子 is important, reflecting hospitality and the aesthetic of a meal. Different types of 盘子 can signify the type of dish served, contributing to the dining experience.

Frequently Asked Questions about 盘子

盘子 refers to a plate or tray, typically flat for serving food, while 碗 refers to a bowl, which is deeper and used for soups or rice.