Chinese–EnglishWith examples

垫底

diàn dǐ · dian di

Traditional 墊底

HSK 7–9

Meaning

CC-CEDICT
  1. to put sth on the bottom
  2. to eat sth to tide oneself over until mealtime
  3. to lay the foundation
  4. to come last in the rankings
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In a conversation

0:21 cartoon

Just a snack first

  1. Liangliang

    晚上(wǎnshang)要(yào)吃(chī)火锅(huǒguō)，现在(xiànzài)别(bié)吃(chī)太多(tàiduō)。

    We are having hot pot tonight. Do not eat too much now.

  2. Dengdeng

    可是(kěshì)我(wǒ)饿(è)了(le)，先(xiān)吃(chī)块(kuài)面包(miànbāo)垫底(diàndǐ)吧(ba)。

    But I am hungry. Let me eat a piece of bread to tide me over.

  3. Liangliang

    垫底(diàndǐ)可以(kěyǐ)，只(zhǐ)能(néng)吃(chī)一块(yīkuài)。

    Tiding over is fine, but only one piece.

  4. Dengdeng

    好(hǎo)，我(wǒ)只(zhǐ)吃(chī)一块(yīkuài)。

    Okay, only one piece.

  5. Liangliang

    你(nǐ)手(shǒu)里(lǐ)怎么(zěnme)有(yǒu)三块(sānkuài)？

    Why do you have three pieces in your hand?

  6. Dengdeng

    第一块(dìyīkuài)垫底(diàndǐ)，第二块(dìèrkuài)垫底(diàndǐ)，第三块(dìsānkuài)也(yě)垫底(diàndǐ)。

    The first one tides me over, the second one tides me over, and the third one does too.

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In a sentence

2 examples
01

先(xiān)吃(chī)点(diǎn)饼(bǐng)干(gān)垫(diàn)底(dǐ)，晚(wǎn)饭(fàn)马(mǎ)上(shàng)就(jiù)好(hǎo)。

Have some crackers to tide you over; dinner will be ready soon.

02

他(tā)这(zhè)次(cì)考(kǎo)试(shì)又(yòu)垫(diàn)底(dǐ)了(le)，心(xīn)情(qíng)很(hěn)差(chà)。

He came in last in the exam again this time and is in a bad mood.

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How to write

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Mainland China stroke order, including traditional characters. Drawing sources & licenses.

Definitions adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG and its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Pinyin display and entry grouping have been adapted.

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