汤圆
tāngyuán
Sweet rice balls (tang yuan) · trad. 湯圓
汤圆 (tāngyuán) are glutinous rice balls, often filled with black sesame, served in warm soup. They are a traditional Chinese dessert, especially popular during the Lantern Festival (元宵节), which falls on the fifteenth day of the New Year, symbolizing family togetherness due to their round shape.
What does 汤圆 (tāngyuán) mean?
汤圆 (tāngyuán) means “sweet rice balls (tang yuan)” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “soup round.”
When to use it
Neutral. 汤圆 are a common festive food. In northern China, these sweet rice balls are often called 元宵 (yuánxiāo), especially when referring to the ones eaten during the Lantern Festival.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “TAHNG-yoo-AHN.” The first syllable has a high, flat tone, and the second is a rising tone.
Other ways to say it
- 元宵yuánxiāosweet rice balls (northern China term, especially for Lantern Festival)
- 芝麻汤圆zhīma tāngyuánblack sesame tangyuan (a common filling)
- 吃汤圆chī tāngyuáneat tangyuan (a common action)
Examples
我们家过年都会吃汤圆。
wǒmen jiā guònián dōu huì chī tāngyuán.
Our family eats tangyuan every Chinese New Year.
汤圆的馅儿有芝麻的，也有花生的。
tāngyuán de xiànr yǒu zhīma de, yě yǒu huāshēng de.
Tangyuan fillings include black sesame and peanuts.
元宵节吃汤圆象征着团圆。
Yuánxiāojié chī tāngyuán xiàngzhēngzhe tuányuán.
Eating tangyuan on the Lantern Festival symbolizes family reunion.
Pro tip: While 汤圆 and 元宵 both refer to sweet rice balls, 汤圆 is the more general term used across China, whereas 元宵 is more common in northern China and specifically associated with the Lantern Festival.
Related phrases
压岁钱 · Lucky money年糕 · New year cake (nian gao)年夜饭 · Reunion dinner
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