A2 noun 중립 2분 분량

月饼

yuebing /jyut̚˥pæŋ˧˥/
Practice it

Overview

Mooncakes (月饼, yuèbǐng) are a traditional Chinese pastry, most commonly eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节, Zhōngqiū Jié). This festival is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture, celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar, when the moon is believed to be at its fullest and brightest. The round shape of the mooncake symbolizes completeness and reunion, making it a significant gift shared among family members and friends.

Traditional mooncakes typically have a rich, dense filling encased in a relatively thin, tender crust. The most classic fillings include lotus seed paste (莲蓉, liánróng), often with salted duck egg yolks (蛋黄, dànhuáng) in the center, symbolizing the full moon. Other popular traditional fillings include sweet bean paste (豆沙, dòushā) or five kernel paste (五仁, wǔrén), which is a mix of nuts and seeds. The crust is usually made from a mixture of flour, golden syrup, and oil, giving it a characteristic golden-brown sheen. Intricate designs and Chinese characters, often representing good wishes like 'harmony' (和) or 'longevity' (寿), are pressed onto the top of the mooncakes before baking.

In modern times, there has been an explosion of innovation in mooncake varieties. Beyond the traditional, you can find 'snow skin' mooncakes (冰皮月饼, bīngpí yuèbǐng), which have a non-baked, chewy, mochi-like crust and are often served chilled. Fillings have also diversified greatly, ranging from fruit and chocolate to ice cream, coffee, and even savory options. These contemporary mooncakes cater to a wider range of tastes and dietary preferences, reflecting changing culinary trends while still retaining the cultural significance of the treat. Despite the variations, the act of sharing mooncakes remains a cherished tradition, fostering a sense of togetherness and celebration during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

예시

1

中秋节，家家户户都要吃月饼。

节日习俗 (Jíeri Xísú - Festival customs)

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, every family eats mooncakes.

2

你喜欢什么馅儿的月饼？

饮食偏好 (Yǐnshí Piānhào - Dietary preferences)

What kind of mooncake filling do you like?

3

这款月饼包装精美，适合送礼。

购物 (Gòuwù - Shopping)

This mooncake has exquisite packaging and is suitable for gifting.

4

传统月饼通常是圆形或方形的。

食品描述 (Shípǐn Miáoshù - Food description)

Traditional mooncakes are usually round or square.

5

我妈妈每年都会自己做月饼。

家庭活动 (Jiātíng Huódòng - Family activities)

My mom makes her own mooncakes every year.

자주 쓰는 조합

eat mooncakes
share mooncakes
traditional mooncakes
festive mooncakes

자주 혼동되는 단어

月饼 vs 月饼

月饼 is not typically confused with other words in a way that suggests phonetic similarity or common misinterpretations in a basic dictionary context. If you're looking for common mistakes in writing or understanding its components, that would be a different kind of analysis.

문법 패턴

吃月饼 (chī yuèbǐng) - eat mooncake 送月饼 (sòng yuèbǐng) - give mooncake as a gift 月饼节 (yuèbǐng jié) - Mooncake Festival (another name for Mid-Autumn Festival)

How to Use It

사용 참고사항

When referring to '月饼' (mooncake) in conversation, it's common to use it in contexts related to the Mid-Autumn Festival, family gatherings, or gift-giving. For example, you might say, 'We bought some delicious mooncakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival' or 'My aunt always bakes homemade mooncakes every year.' When offering mooncakes to others, it's customary to do so as a gesture of goodwill and celebration, often accompanied by well wishes. If describing the types of mooncakes, you might mention popular fillings like lotus seed paste (莲蓉, liánróng), red bean paste (豆沙, dòushā), or various nuts and seeds. It's also worth noting that while mooncakes are a seasonal treat, they can sometimes be found outside of the festival period in specialty shops, though they are most prominent in the weeks leading up to and during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Be mindful that mooncakes can be quite rich, so they are often cut into wedges and shared among several people rather than eaten whole individually.

자주 하는 실수

A common mistake is to confuse '月饼' (yuèbǐng) with other types of Chinese pastries or to mispronounce the tones. Remember 'yuè' is a falling tone and 'bǐng' is a rising tone. Another mistake is to assume all mooncakes have the same filling; in reality, there's a wide variety of fillings, some of which can be quite unique or acquired tastes. Additionally, some people might mistakenly think mooncakes are eaten year-round, but they are specifically associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival, which occurs on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese lunar calendar. The phrase 'moon cake' can also sometimes be misconstrued to imply it's made from the moon, rather than simply being a cake associated with the moon festival.

Tips

💡

Word Breakdown

'月饼' (yuèbǐng) is composed of two characters: * '月' (yuè): This means 'moon'. It's a key component, highlighting the pastry's association with the Mid-Autumn Festival, which celebrates the full moon. * '饼' (bǐng): This refers to a 'cake' or 'biscuit'. It describes the food item's general form and texture. So, literally, '月饼' means 'moon cake'.

💡

Cultural Significance

Mooncakes are much more than just a dessert; they are a central symbol of the Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节, Zhōngqiūjié), one of the most important traditional Chinese holidays. * **Reunion:** The round shape of the mooncake symbolizes completeness and reunion, aligning with the festival's theme of family gatherings. * **Gifts:** They are commonly exchanged among family members, friends, and business associates as gifts to express love, respect, and good wishes. * **Tradition:** Eating mooncakes under the full moon with family is a cherished tradition, often accompanied by drinking tea and admiring the moon.

💡

Varieties and Flavors

Mooncakes come in a vast array of flavors and styles, varying significantly by region in China. Some popular types include: * **Cantonese style (广式月饼):** Known for their rich, dense filling (often lotus seed paste, red bean paste, or mixed nuts) and a thin, tender crust. They frequently contain salted duck egg yolks, symbolizing the full moon. * **Suzhou style (苏式月饼):** Characterized by a flaky, layered crust and fillings that can be sweet or savory, such as minced pork or red bean paste. * **Beijing style (京式月饼):** Often have a lighter, crispier crust and fillings like hawthorn or wisteria flower paste. * **Modern variations:** In recent years, innovative mooncakes with unconventional fillings like ice cream, chocolate, fruit, or even savory meats have become popular, catering to diverse tastes.

어원

Mooncakes, or 'yuèbǐng' (月饼) in Chinese, have a rich history deeply intertwined with Chinese culture and traditions. The earliest forms of mooncakes can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), where they were not yet called mooncakes but were rather a type of cake enjoyed during the Mid-Autumn Festival. These early cakes were simpler, often made with sesame and walnuts, and were used as offerings to the moon goddess, Chang'e, during the harvest festival. The Mid-Autumn Festival itself, a celebration of family reunion and gratitude for the harvest, has been observed for over 3,000 years. It wasn't until the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) that the term 'mooncake' (月饼) first appeared in written records, though their widespread popularity as we know it today truly began to blossom during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). During this period, the tradition of eating mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival became firmly established. Legends abound regarding the mooncake's role in Chinese history, with one of the most famous tales attributing their use in the overthrow of Mongol rule. It is said that messages coordinating the rebellion were hidden inside mooncakes and distributed among the Chinese populace, leading to a successful uprising. Over the centuries, the fillings and designs of mooncakes evolved. Initially, they were often filled with nuts and seeds, but as trade routes expanded and new ingredients became available, fillings like lotus seed paste, red bean paste, and salted duck egg yolks became popular. Regional variations also emerged, with different provinces developing their unique styles and flavors. For example, Cantonese mooncakes are known for their rich, sweet fillings and intricate designs, while Suzhou-style mooncakes are characterized by their flaky pastry. Today, mooncakes remain a beloved symbol of the Mid-Autumn Festival, representing unity, prosperity, and the full moon. While the traditional aspect remains strong, modern interpretations have also emerged, with a wide array of innovative fillings and designs, catering to diverse tastes. Despite these changes, the essence of the mooncake – a delicious treat shared with loved ones under the glow of the full moon – continues to be cherished.

문화적 맥락

Mooncakes (月饼, yuèbǐng) are a traditional Chinese pastry, most notably associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival (also known as the Moon Festival). This festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, is a time for family reunions, moon gazing, and enjoying mooncakes. The round shape of the mooncake symbolizes completeness and reunion, making it a significant part of the festivities. Historically, mooncakes were offered as sacrifices to the moon goddess Chang'e. Over time, they became a popular gift exchanged between friends and family, expressing love and best wishes. Different regions of China have distinct styles of mooncakes, varying in crust, filling, and flavor, reflecting the rich culinary diversity of the country. They are often elaborately decorated with auspicious characters or designs. The act of sharing and eating mooncakes with loved ones under the full moon is a cherished tradition, embodying the spirit of unity and prosperity. While traditionally sweet, savory variations also exist.

암기 팁

The character '月' (yuè) means moon, and '饼' (bǐng) means cake or biscuit. So, '月饼' literally translates to 'moon cake.' Visualizing a full moon and a delicious cake can help remember this word.

자주 묻는 질문

4 질문

'月饼' (mooncake) is a traditional Chinese pastry, typically eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival. This festival is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture, celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, when the moon is believed to be at its fullest and brightest. Mooncakes are round or square-shaped, symbolizing completeness and unity, and are often given as gifts between friends and family members to express love and best wishes. The rich, dense filling and intricate designs on top make them a truly unique and cherished treat.

Mooncakes come with a wide variety of fillings, catering to diverse tastes. Traditionally, the most common fillings include lotus seed paste (莲蓉), which is sweet and smooth, and red bean paste (豆沙), offering a slightly coarser texture. Many mooncakes also feature salted duck egg yolks (蛋黄) in the center, symbolizing the full moon, which provides a delightful contrast of sweet and savory flavors. In modern times, you can find innovative fillings such as various nuts and seeds, fruit and vegetable pastes, chocolate, ice cream, and even savory meat fillings, expanding the mooncake experience beyond its classic forms.

Mooncakes hold deep cultural significance, primarily as a symbol of reunion and harmony during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The round shape of the mooncake represents the full moon, which itself symbolizes completeness and family togetherness. Sharing and eating mooncakes with family and friends under the full moon is a cherished tradition that fosters a sense of unity and gratitude. Beyond their culinary appeal, mooncakes are also often exchanged as gifts, conveying respect, good wishes, and blessings between loved ones, making them an integral part of the festival's emotional and social fabric.

Mooncakes are quite rich and dense, so they are typically cut into small wedges and shared among family members and friends rather than eaten whole by one person. This sharing aspect further emphasizes the theme of togetherness during the Mid-Autumn Festival. They are often served alongside a cup of hot Chinese tea, which helps to cleanse the palate and balance the sweetness and richness of the pastry. While traditionally eaten during the evening celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, mooncakes can be enjoyed at any time of day, offering a delightful and symbolic treat.

셀프 테스트

fill blank

中秋节的传统食物是____。

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
fill blank

____有很多不同的口味，比如莲蓉、豆沙等。

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
fill blank

我想买一些____送给家人，庆祝中秋节。

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

점수: /3

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