The Chinese word for 铲子 (chǎnzǐ) can mean either a spatula or a shovel, depending on the context.
Think about what you're doing. If you're cooking in the kitchen, 铲子 is likely a spatula. If you're in the garden, it probably means a shovel.
You'll often see it used in phrases like 炒菜铲子 (chǎocài chǎnzǐ) for a cooking spatula or 园艺铲子 (yuányì chǎnzǐ) for a gardening shovel.
You might recognize 铲子 (chǎnzǐ) as a common tool, like a shovel for gardening or a spatula for cooking. The context usually makes its meaning clear. For instance, when you're in the kitchen, 铲子 likely refers to a spatula for flipping food. If you're talking about gardening, it's probably a small shovel. It's a versatile word for a tool with a broad, flat blade used for lifting or scooping.
§ What does 铲子 mean?
Let's talk about the word 铲子 (chǎnzǐ). This is a really common and useful Chinese word, and it basically means 'spatula' or 'shovel'. Now, you might be thinking, 'How can one word mean two different things?' That's a great question, and it's all about context. Just like in English, where 'bat' can mean a baseball bat or an animal, 铲子 changes its specific meaning depending on what you're talking about.
- Definition
- Spatula; shovel.
When you're in the kitchen, 铲子 almost always refers to a spatula. Think about cooking stir-fries or flipping eggs – you'd use a 铲子. It's the tool that helps you move food around in a pan. In this context, it's usually a flat, often metal or silicone, utensil.
用铲子翻炒蔬菜。(Yòng chǎnzǐ fānchǎo shūcài.) - Use a spatula to stir-fry the vegetables.
But if you're outside, perhaps gardening or working on a construction site, 铲子 will mean a shovel. This is the bigger, sturdier tool you use to dig dirt, move sand, or scoop up materials. It’s the kind of tool you'd use for more heavy-duty tasks.
他用铲子挖了一个洞。(Tā yòng chǎnzǐ wāle yīgè dòng.) - He used a shovel to dig a hole.
§ When do people use it?
People use 铲子 all the time in daily life, both in the kitchen and for various chores. Let's break down some common scenarios:
- In the Kitchen (Spatula):
煎鸡蛋需要一个平的铲子。(Jiān jīdàn xūyào yīgè píng de chǎnzǐ.) - Frying eggs requires a flat spatula.
用铲子把锅里的菜盛出来。(Yòng chǎnzǐ bǎ guō lǐ de cài chéng chūlái.) - Use the spatula to scoop the dishes out of the pot.
- Gardening/Construction (Shovel):
园丁用铲子给花浇土。(Yuándīng yòng chǎnzǐ gěi huā jiāotǔ.) - The gardener used a shovel to put soil around the flowers.
工人们正在用铲子清理工地。(Gōngrénmen zhèngzài yòng chǎnzǐ qīnglǐ gōngdì.) - The workers are using shovels to clear the construction site.
You'll also see 铲子 used in more specialized contexts. For example, a small handheld tool for gardening might be called a 'garden shovel' or 'trowel' in English, but in Chinese, it's often just a type of 铲子. Snow shovels are also referred to as 雪铲 (xuěchǎn), which literally means 'snow 铲子'.
So, when you encounter 铲子, don't get stuck on one meaning. Think about the situation, what action is being performed, and what other words are around it. This practical approach will help you understand and use 铲子 correctly every time.
Examples by Level
我需要一个铲子。
I need a shovel.
这个铲子是新的。
This spatula is new.
请给我铲子。
Please give me the shovel.
他有一个大铲子。
He has a big spatula.
用铲子挖土。
Use a shovel to dig soil.
我的铲子不见了。
My shovel is gone.
她用铲子炒菜。
She uses a spatula to stir-fry dishes.
小猫在玩铲子。
The kitten is playing with the shovel.
Test Yourself 42 questions
This sentence introduces an item as 'my spatula/shovel'. The order is 'This is my spatula/shovel'.
This sentence describes using a spatula for cooking. The order is 'I use a spatula to cook'.
This sentence states that someone bought a spatula/shovel. The order is 'He bought a spatula/shovel'.
This means 'Use a spatula to stir-fry dishes.'
This means 'There is a small shovel in the garden.'
This means 'Please give me the shovel.'
You are cooking fried rice. What tool do you need to stir the ingredients in the wok? Write a sentence in Chinese. (Hint: Use 铲子)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我需要一个铲子来炒饭。 (I need a spatula to cook fried rice.)
You are gardening and need to dig a small hole for a plant. What tool would you use? Write a sentence in Chinese. (Hint: Use 铲子)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我用铲子挖了一个小洞种花。 (I used a shovel to dig a small hole for the plant.)
Describe a situation where you would use a '铲子'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
做饭的时候，我用铲子翻炒蔬菜。 (When cooking, I use a spatula to stir-fry vegetables.)
妈妈在用什么工具炒菜？ (What tool is Mom using to stir-fry vegetables?)
Read this passage:
妈妈在厨房里用铲子炒菜。她炒的菜很好吃。 (Mom is stir-frying vegetables in the kitchen with a spatula. Her stir-fried dishes are very delicious.)
妈妈在用什么工具炒菜？ (What tool is Mom using to stir-fry vegetables?)
Passage states '妈妈在厨房里用铲子炒菜。'
Passage states '妈妈在厨房里用铲子炒菜。'
这把铲子有什么用？ (What is this shovel used for?)
Read this passage:
花园里有一把旧铲子。它被用来挖土种花。 (There is an old shovel in the garden. It is used to dig soil and plant flowers.)
这把铲子有什么用？ (What is this shovel used for?)
Passage states '它被用来挖土种花。'
Passage states '它被用来挖土种花。'
厨师用铲子做什么？ (What does the chef do with the spatula?)
Read this passage:
厨师用大铲子翻动锅里的食物。他动作很快。 (The chef uses a large spatula to flip the food in the wok. He moves quickly.)
厨师用铲子做什么？ (What does the chef do with the spatula?)
Passage states '厨师用大铲子翻动锅里的食物。'
Passage states '厨师用大铲子翻动锅里的食物。'
What did the farmer use to turn over the soil?
What kitchen tool did the chef use to flip the egg?
What tool is needed for transplanting the flowers?
Read this aloud:
请问，炒菜的铲子在哪里？
Focus: 铲子
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
工人正在用铲子清理路面上的雪。
Focus: 清理
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
这把铲子太旧了，需要换一把新的。
Focus: 一把新的
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
The gardener uses a shovel to dig soil.
The chef uses a spatula to stir-fry eggs.
Please return this shovel to me.
在厨房里，厨师通常用什么工具来翻炒食物？
在厨房中，'铲子'（spatula）是翻炒食物的常用工具。
如果你想把花园里的泥土挖起来，你会选择哪种工具？
'铲子'（shovel）是挖土的工具。
以下哪种物品在建筑工地上很常见，用于移动沙子或碎石？
在建筑工地上，'铲子'（shovel）是移动沙子或碎石的常用工具。
“铲子”只能用来在厨房里做饭。
“铲子”不仅可以指厨房里的锅铲（spatula），也可以指花园或工地上使用的铁锹（shovel）。
如果你需要将花园里的植物移植到另一个地方，你可以使用铲子。
铲子是园艺中常用的工具，可以用来挖土和移植植物。
“铲子”和“勺子”是同义词。
“铲子”和“勺子”是不同的工具，铲子通常用于大范围的挖掘或翻动，而勺子通常用于盛取少量液体或食物。
The speaker wants you to pass them a shovel.
The speaker is talking about cooking.
The sentence is about a gardener and digging.
Read this aloud:
请问，您能帮我找到一把干净的铲子吗？
Focus: 铲子 (chǎnzǐ)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
这种铲子用起来很顺手。
Focus: 顺手 (shùnshǒu)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我把铲子放在工具箱里了。
Focus: 工具箱 (gōngjùxiāng)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
Example
请给我一把铲子来挖土。
