点心 diǎnxin light refreshments
light refreshments; pastry; dim sum (in Cantonese cooking); dessert
How to remember 点心: 点 point + 心 heart = light refreshments.
Characters
How it is used
- Light refreshments/snacks/pastries - 吃点心 (chī diǎnxin) to have a snack.
- In Cantonese cuisine = dim sum: 广式点心 (Guǎngshì diǎnxin) Cantonese dim sum.
- 点心 is small sweet or savory bites between meals; a full dessert may be 甜点, a meal is 正餐.
- The 心 is neutral tone here; literally 'to touch the heart (lightly)' - a small bite.