Dim Sum

[流]

I realize this is way off topic, and I apologize, but... Why is it called "dim sum," not dian?

[geraldc]

Because it's Cantonese!

[skylee]

Dim Sum is a transliteration of the cantonese term 點心 (hopefully it is not from Shanghainese). It means snack in general, but it also means a specific kind or cantonese food. These pages might help ->

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dim_sum

http://chinesefood.about.com/library/weekly/aa070700a.htm

[流]

I see...

So is "Dim Sum" eaten all across China?

Is it called "Dian xin" in areas that use Putonghua, or do they call it "dim sum?"

[Quest]

So is "Dim Sum" eaten all across China?

Just like other food, there are different dim sums across China.

If you mean the morning practice of eating dim sums at restaurants, then I think that is more a Cantonese thing, and we say "drink tea" 饮茶 not "dimsum".

Is it called "Dian xin" in areas that use Putonghua, or do they call it "dim sum?"

In their own dialects.

[self-taught-mba]

"Dim Sum" can also be translated as: “deliciously irresistible little snacks that are highly addicting and will give you a heart attack but you just can’t stop type of food”.

see

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/04/28/news/dimsum.php

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7488178/

and

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/4395-dim-sum-bad-for-your-health

[atitarev]

I see...

So is "Dim Sum" eaten all across China?

Is it called "Dian xin" in areas that use Putonghua, or do they call it "dim sum?"

I just finished lesson 27, New Practical Chinese Reader (volume 3). They used 点心 /點心/Diǎnxīn/ in the meaning of refreshments, I didn't know it was "Dim Sum" (the Cantonese pronunciation).

How do you write Yum Cha in Chinese?

EDIT:

I've got the answer:

饮茶/飲茶/Yǐn Chá