Definitions

táng (noun) sugar; candy; sweets

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 糖 for sugar is a phono-semantic compound incorporating the semantic component 米, indicating grain, and the phonetic component 唐. It came into use during the Han dynasty, originating from earlier words like 饴 that referred to malt sugar, and initially designated sugars derived from grains. Its meaning later expanded to include all crystalline sweeteners such as cane sugar and beet sugar, along with sweet food items like candy. The character's form has consistently used the 米 and 唐 components to represent this class of sweet substances.

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢吃

Wǒ xǐhuān chī táng.

I like to eat candy.

果很好吃。

Tángguǒ hěn hǎochī.

Candy is delicious.

妈妈买了果。

Māma mǎi le tángguǒ.

Mom bought candy.

他在咖啡里放

Tā zài kāfēi lǐ fàng táng.

He puts sugar in coffee.

吃多了对牙齿不好。

Táng chī duōle duì yáchǐ bù hǎo.

Eating too much sugar is bad for teeth.

这个蛋糕的分太高了。

Zhège dàngāo de tángfèn tài gāo le.

The sugar content in this cake is too high.

尿病患者需要控制的摄入。

Tángniàobìng huànzhě xūyào kòngzhì táng de shèrù.

Diabetic patients need to control sugar intake.

制作这道菜需要适量的来调味。

Zhìzuò zhè dào cài xūyào shìliàng de táng lái tiáowèi.

Making this dish requires an appropriate amount of sugar for seasoning.