点心
diǎn xīn
ZH
Dim sum; small savory or sweet bite-sized dishes traditionally served in Cantonese cuisine; also refers to light snacks or pastries in general Chinese context
我周末喜欢和家人去茶楼喝早茶吃点心。
I like going to a teahouse for morning tea and dim sum with my family on weekends.
Etymology
The term first appeared in the Southern and Northern Dynasties period (5th-6th centuries), originally meaning 'to dot the heart' (express a small, thoughtful gesture). Over time it evolved to refer to small, satisfying light dishes.
Memory Aid
Break the word into two characters: diǎn (dot, point) and xīn (heart). Imagine small bite-sized portions that lightly 'dot' your heart, satisfying your hunger between meals.
Collocations
粤式点心早茶点心点心师傅点心拼盘
Synonyms
茶点小吃糕点