Unveiling the Trend of Ice Cream in Chinese Culture

Ice Cream has been a global favorite treat to devour with all its yummy flavors. Every country of the world has seen some trend in the liking and advancements in flavors and presentation of Ice cream. Likewise, China has also seen an increasing trend of liking among the Chinese. 

New Ice Cream businesses emerged in Chinese Ice Cream markets in the past seven years and this has contributed to the Chinese economy. According to stats, more than 2700 new ice cream companies emerged in 2020 and this will increase and maintain a year-on-year growth rate of 3 to 5% till 2025.        

According to research, chocolate, fruit, and vanilla are the most popular ice cream flavors in China. This frozen dessert has become increasingly popular since the pandemic. Here’s why!

How to write Ice Cream in Chinese?

The Chinese write Ice Cream in the Chinese language as 冰淇淋. 

冰淇淋 = bīng qí lín = ice cream

The word “bīng” (冰) means “ice.” On the other hand, “qí lín” (淇淋) is the transliteration of “cream” in the English language.  “bīng qí lín” is the most common wording used for ice cream in the Chinese language. However, there are some other words used to describe ice cream:

“nǎi xué gāo” (奶雪糕) = “milk snow cake”

This term is commonly used at bars or popsicles for ice cream. 

“shuǐ guǒ bīng” (水果冰) = “fruit ice”

The use of this term is common for fruit-flavored ice cream or sorbet. 

How to Pronounce Each Ice Cream in Chinese Terms?

Ice Cream is pronounced in the Chinese language as Bīngqílín. Overall, three terms are used in the Chinese language for ice cream. Below is the pronunciation of each term.

冰淇淋 (bīng qí lín): In bīng qí lín, the first syllable bīng is pronounced as “bing” in “bingo.” qí is the second syllable and pronounced as “chee” in “cheese.” lín is the last syllable pronounced as “lin” in “linen.”

雪糕 (xuě gāo): xuě is the first syllable, which is pronounced as “shweh” in “shwedagon.” The second syllable gāo pronunciation is like “gao” in “gaoled.”

冰激凌 (bīng jī líng): bīng is the first syllable, and it’s pronounced as “bing” in “bingo.” jī is the second syllable, and it’s pronounced as “jee” in “jeep.” líng is the third syllable, and it’s pronounced like “ling” in “lingerie.”

More Variations and Methods to Say Ice Cream in Chinese

There are several other ways or variations that you may need to talk about ice cream. For instance, you want to say “I love ice cream” in Chinese. 

“I love ice cream” = 我爱吃冰淇淋 = “wǒ ài chī bīng qí lín” 

• “wǒ” (我) means “I,” 
• “ài” (爱) means “love,” 
• “chī” (吃) means “eat,”
• “bīng qí lín” (冰淇淋) means “ice cream.”

There can be variations in ice cream wording in Chinese based on regions. However,  “bīng qí lín” is the most common term for ice cream in Mandarin. With a different dialect, there could be variations. For instance, “bīng gā” (冰家) is used for “ice cream” in Cantonese.

Are Ice Cream in Chinese three terms different?

Each term for ice cream used in Chinese has nuances and usage. 

• 冰淇淋 (bīng qí lín) is the most common term for ice cream in China.
• 雪糕 (xuě gāo) is widely used in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
• 冰激凌 (bīng jī líng) is often used interchangeably with 冰淇淋 in China. 

So, each term is different from others and differences are subtle. 冰淇淋 (bīng qí lín) is derived from the English term “ice cream.” This is a transliteration word. 

雪糕 (xuě gāo) is a combination of the Chinese characters for “snow” (雪) and “cake” (糕). It was coined in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

冰激凌 (bīng jī líng) was created in the 1950s. This was a translation of the English term “ice cream.”

Traditional Ice Cream in China

The Chinese take their culture and traditions very seriously and they try to immerse their culture in everything they do. These ice creams have beautiful designs with bamboo, fans, sparrows, dragons, etc., and are called good-looking ice creams. Their healthy ingredients and aesthetic designs have increased the demand for ice creams.

Unique liking of flavors of Ice Creams in Chinese people

Chinese people like different flavors of ice cream. They also like to associate these with their culture and add design or aesthetics to the ice creams according to their festivities. 

The dragon is a famous symbol of Chinese culture and they get an imprint of it onto their ice creams to celebrate and enjoy their ice cream with a better experience. They use less sugar and healthy ingredients in their ice cream products. This has increased the use of natural and high-quality ingredients with high nutritious values in ice cream. 

Does ice cream excite you too? Have you tried Chinese culture-themed ice creams?  We are sure you would love them – unique and beautiful designs with tantalizing flavors. While we unveil the trend of ice cream in Chinese culture, we get to know that more than 25% of the Chinese spend their money on ice cream every day which shows their love for ice cream. This frozen dessert is loved globally indeed. 

Ice Cream in Chinese Festivities and Celebrations

Chinese Ice Creams have attractive and creative designs depicting different festivities, their signs, their traditions, and historical buildings. The display of these good-looking ice creams over social media has collected over 3 million views from the Chinese youth and Gen-Z. There are special offerings for such ice creams during the festivities and celebration season.

                                                    

Ice Cream symbolism in Chinese culture

Symbolism has a huge role in Chinese culture. These make symbolism of what is important to have their meanings associated with them. Likewise, the Chinese associate ice cream with acceptance and a changing lifestyle. It also tells about changing consumer tastes and preferences.

Impact of modernism on the trend of ice cream in China

Modernism has impacted many things and trends around the world. It has taken the essence of old-fashioned or olden values plus traditions from different cultures around the world. It has impacted the Chinese ice cream market however in a good way too. The good aspects include the way how the Chinese ice cream makers add their traditional flavors and cultures to the ice creams. This has increased the trend and sale of ice cream in China.

FAQs about Ice Cream in Chinese 

What are the best Ice Cream brands in China?

The best Chinese Ice Cream brands are Qiaolez, Yili, and Mengniu. Yili also has a famous sub-brand named Haagen-Dazs. These brands are mostly consumed in China and are ranked among the best Chinese Ice Cream Brands.

What is the impact of social media on the popularity of Ice Cream in China?

Social media has played a significant role in increasing the popularity of Ice Cream in Chinese Culture. Every event and festivity of Chinese people includes Ice Cream which is customized according to tradition or celebration. The Chinese incline towards the brand which is the most in view that means whatever is seen, is sold. So, social media has a great impact in hooking the Chinese to ice creams.

Summary

In conclusion, with the rise of liking for Ice Cream in Chinese Culture, the demand for it has risen as well which has increased the business of Ice Cream makers and sellers. This frozen dessert is a great way to devour different flavors and keep you cold, especially during the summer.

However, people in China do not keep ice creams for summer, they enjoy them in winter too. Ice-creams with old-fashioned tastes and alcoholic flavors have become the hottest trend in China. All-in-all, feasting on these frozen desserts and indulging in the world of different flavors is a wholesome thing to enjoy.