Chinese Word
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noun HSK 4
cān jù
tableware · dinnerware · cutlery · eating utensils

Meaning

餐具 refers to the complete set of implements and dishes used for eating and serving food. This includes items like plates, bowls, chopsticks, spoons, forks, knives, and cups. It's a general category term that encompasses all dining tools and dishware.

Usage

Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing kitchen items, restaurant supplies, or household goods. Often appears in contexts about washing dishes, setting the table, or buying kitchen supplies. Can refer to both Western-style cutlery and Chinese-style utensils including chopsticks.

Examples

  1. 01
    吃完饭后请把餐具放进洗碗机。
    Chī wán fàn hòu qǐng bǎ cān jù fàng jìn xǐ wǎn jī.
    After eating, please put the tableware in the dishwasher.
  2. 02
    这家店卖各种各样的餐具和厨房用品。
    Zhè jiā diàn mài gè zhǒng gè yàng de cān jù hé chú fáng yòng pǐn.
    This shop sells all kinds of tableware and kitchen supplies.

Characters

Measure words

  • 套tào一套餐具
  • 件jiàn几件餐具

Common collocations

  • 洗餐具
    xǐ cān jù
    to wash the dishes
  • 一次性餐具
    yī cì xìng cān jù
    disposable tableware
  • 餐具柜
    cān jù guì
    cupboard, cabinet for tableware
  • 摆放餐具
    bǎi fàng cān jù
    to set the table

Origin

A compound word combining 餐 (meal) and 具 (tool/implement), literally meaning 'meal tools' or 'eating implements.'

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