15초 만에
- Means maintaining heat or keeping a constant temperature.
- Used for objects like thermoses, rice cookers, and food.
- Central to the Chinese 'hot water' health culture.
뜻
This phrase literally means to keep things warm or maintain a constant temperature. It is most often used when talking about food, drinks, or the magical Chinese obsession with hot water.
주요 예문
3 / 6Buying a gift for a friend
这个保温杯的质量很好。
The quality of this thermos is very good.
At a family dinner
菜快凉了，快把它们保温一下。
The food is getting cold, keep it warm quickly.
Checking office equipment
饮水机有保温功能吗？
Does the water dispenser have a 'keep warm' function?
문화적 배경
The concept of 'Yin' and 'Yang' balance often dictates that cold drinks are a shock to the system. This has led to a massive market for high-tech vacuum flasks in China. The phrase became a meme a few years ago when a famous rock star was spotted with a thermos, signaling that even rebels get old and need to stay warm.
Don't mix up your 'Baos'
Never use `保温` (bǎowēn) for clothes. If you want to say your jacket is warm, use `保暖` (bǎonuǎn). Using `保温` makes you sound like a piece of leftover pizza.
The Thermos Symbol
Carrying a `保温杯` is a 'middle-age' signal in China. If a young person does it, it's often a sign they are 'health-conscious' (pǎngshēng).
15초 만에
- Means maintaining heat or keeping a constant temperature.
- Used for objects like thermoses, rice cookers, and food.
- Central to the Chinese 'hot water' health culture.
What It Means
保温 is your go-to word for heat preservation. It describes the act of keeping something at a steady, warm temperature. Think of it as the 'stay hot' button on your coffee machine. In China, this isn't just a function; it's a lifestyle. It’s about making sure your tea doesn't go cold while you're busy.
How To Use It
You’ll mostly use it as a verb or an adjective. You can say a container is a 保温杯 (vacuum flask). Or you can ask someone to 保温 the soup while you finish a meeting. It’s very versatile. You can use it for physical objects or even settings on an appliance. Just don't try to use it for 'keeping a secret'—that’s a different kind of 'keeping'!
When To Use It
Use it whenever temperature matters. At a restaurant, you might ask if the teapot has a 保温 function. At home, you’ll tell your partner to 保温 the dinner if you’re running late. It’s perfect for winter conversations. It also pops up in technical manuals for rice cookers and kettles. If it involves heat and time, this is your word.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for people’s emotions. You wouldn't tell a friend to 保温 their heart after a breakup. That sounds like you're trying to put them in a slow cooker. Also, avoid using it for 'heating up' cold food. That is 加热. 保温 is only for maintaining the heat that is already there. It’s about stability, not a temperature spike.
Cultural Background
In China, hot water is the ultimate cure-all. Got a cold? Drink hot water. Stressed? Drink hot water. This cultural habit made the 保温杯 (thermos) a national icon. You will see everyone from CEOs to students carrying one. It represents health, self-care, and a bit of 'old soul' energy. If you carry a 保温杯, people will think you really have your life together.
Common Variations
The most common buddy for this word is 杯 (cup), making 保温杯. You’ll also hear 保温瓶 for those big traditional thermoses. In construction, you might hear 保温层 for building insulation. If you want to say 'stay warm' to a person in the cold, you’d actually say 保暖. 保温 is for things; 保暖 is for bodies!
사용 참고사항
The phrase is very stable across all regions of China. Just remember the object vs. person distinction (`保温` vs `保暖`) to avoid sounding like a machine.
Don't mix up your 'Baos'
Never use `保温` (bǎowēn) for clothes. If you want to say your jacket is warm, use `保暖` (bǎonuǎn). Using `保温` makes you sound like a piece of leftover pizza.
The Thermos Symbol
Carrying a `保温杯` is a 'middle-age' signal in China. If a young person does it, it's often a sign they are 'health-conscious' (pǎngshēng).
Check the Button
On Chinese rice cookers, the button for 'Keep Warm' is almost always labeled `保温`.
예시
6这个保温杯的质量很好。
The quality of this thermos is very good.
Using the phrase as an adjective for a cup.
菜快凉了，快把它们保温一下。
The food is getting cold, keep it warm quickly.
Using the phrase as a verb/action.
饮水机有保温功能吗？
Does the water dispenser have a 'keep warm' function?
Professional inquiry about a feature.
我晚点回来，饭在锅里保温呢。
I'll be back late; the food is in the pot keeping warm.
Common household instruction via text.
我现在出门必须带保温杯，我老了。
I have to bring a thermos when I go out now; I'm getting old.
Self-deprecating humor about the 'thermos lifestyle'.
我给你准备了保温的姜茶。
I prepared some warm ginger tea for you.
Showing care through temperature maintenance.
셀프 테스트
Choose the correct word to describe a vacuum flask.
我的 ___ 杯在哪里？
`保温` is used for objects like cups (`杯`). `保暖` is for clothing or people.
How do you ask to keep the soup warm?
请帮这碗汤 ___ 。
`保温` specifically refers to maintaining the heat of the soup.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality of '保温'
Telling a friend to keep their tea warm.
记得保温！
Standard daily use for products.
保温杯
Technical specs for a building or appliance.
保温性能优越
Where to use '保温'
Kitchen
Rice cooker settings
Office
Carrying a thermos
Winter
Keeping tea hot
Restaurant
Asking for a pot heater
연습 문제 은행
2 연습 문제我的 ___ 杯在哪里？
`保温` is used for objects like cups (`杯`). `保暖` is for clothing or people.
请帮这碗汤 ___ 。
`保温` specifically refers to maintaining the heat of the soup.
🎉 점수: /2
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문No, use 保暖 (bǎonuǎn) for people or clothing. 保温 is strictly for objects or environments.
It can be both. As a verb: 帮我保温 (Help me keep it warm). As a noun/adjective: 保温效果 (Heat preservation effect).
It is a vacuum-insulated flask or thermos. It is arguably the most essential item for any Chinese person traveling or working.
You can say 给菜保温 (gěi cài bǎowēn). This tells someone to use a lid or a warmer.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your grandma without any issues.
加热 (jiārè) means to increase the temperature (heat up), while 保温 means to keep it from dropping.
Technically yes, as it means 'maintain temperature', but in daily life, 99% of the time it refers to keeping things hot.
It's an insulated bag, like the ones used by delivery drivers to keep your takeout hot.
It's linked to Traditional Chinese Medicine, which suggests that warm food and drinks are better for digestion and 'Qi'.
Not really, but mentioning your 保温杯 is a common way to joke about getting older and becoming more traditional.
관련 표현
保暖
To keep oneself warm (clothing/body)
加热
To heat up
恒温
Constant temperature
凉了
Gotten cold (usually food/drinks)
