====== yī lóng: 一笼 - A Steamer Basket of / A Cage of ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** yī lóng, yí lóng, 一笼, Chinese measure word, Chinese classifier, steamer basket, dim sum, xiaolongbao, ordering food in Chinese, Chinese food culture, cage of, basket of.
  * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **一笼 (yī lóng)**, an essential Chinese measure word that translates to "a steamer basket of" or "a cage of." This guide is perfect for beginners wanting to master ordering dim sum like a native. Learn how to use **一笼** to order delicious xiaolongbao (小笼包), understand its cultural significance in Chinese food, and see practical examples that will give you confidence on your next visit to a Chinese restaurant.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** yī lóng
  * **Part of Speech:** Measure Word (Classifier) + Noun
  * **HSK Level:** N/A (The concept of measure words is fundamental from HSK 1-2).
  * **Concise Definition:** A measure word for a quantity of something contained within a steamer basket or a cage.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Think of the iconic, stackable bamboo baskets used for cooking dumplings and buns in Chinese cuisine. **一笼 (yī lóng)** literally means "one basket" and is the go-to phrase for ordering a serving of these steamed delicacies. While it can also mean "a cage of" (e.g., birds), its most common use by far is in the context of food, especially dim sum.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **一 (yī):** The simplest character, meaning "one" or "a single unit."
  * **笼 (lóng):** A cage or basket. You can break this character down further:
    * The **⺮ (zhú)** radical on top means "bamboo," indicating the material these baskets and traditional cages were made from.
    * The **龙 (lóng)** character below means "dragon" and is included here primarily for its sound.
  * Together, **一笼 (yī lóng)** literally means "one bamboo basket/cage," which perfectly describes a serving of food from a bamboo steamer.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In Chinese culture, food is often a communal experience, and the concept of **一笼** is deeply tied to the social tradition of **饮茶 (yǐn chá)**, or "yum cha" as it's known in Cantonese. This is a leisurely meal where small, varied dishes—collectively known as **点心 (diǎnxīn)** or dim sum—are shared among friends and family.
Unlike a Western meal where each person might order their own large "plate," a dim sum meal involves ordering many different small dishes to share. This is where **一笼** becomes essential. You don't order one dumpling; you order **一笼** (a basket of) dumplings. You might order **一笼** of shrimp dumplings, **一笼** of pork buns, and **一笼** of steamed ribs.
This act of ordering and sharing multiple **笼** reinforces cultural values of community, variety, and enjoying a prolonged, social dining experience. The sight of a cart laden with steaming bamboo baskets being wheeled through a bustling restaurant is an iconic image of Chinese culinary life.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
The primary use of **一笼** is when ordering food in a restaurant, particularly one that serves dim sum or steamed buns. It is a standard, neutral term used in both casual and formal dining settings.
  * **Ordering Dim Sum:** This is the most common scenario. You will use it to specify the quantity of any dish that is served in a steamer basket.
  * **Referring to Animals:** A less common but correct usage is to refer to a cage of animals, such as birds or hamsters. For example, `一笼鸟 (yì lóng niǎo)` means "a cage of birds."
The connotation is purely descriptive and functional. There is no positive or negative feeling associated with the term itself.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 我们点**一笼**小笼包吧！
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen diǎn **yì lóng** xiǎolóngbāo ba!
    * English: Let's order a steamer basket of xiaolongbao!
    * Analysis: A classic and highly useful sentence for any dim sum restaurant. Note the tone change of 一 (yī) to yì before a fourth tone.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 服务员，请再给我们来**一笼**虾饺。
    * Pinyin: Fúwùyuán, qǐng zài gěi wǒmen lái **yì lóng** xiā jiǎo.
    * English: Waiter, please bring us another basket of shrimp dumplings.
    * Analysis: This demonstrates how to politely order more food using `再来 (zài lái)`.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 这**一笼**烧卖有几个？
    * Pinyin: Zhè **yì lóng** shāomai yǒu jǐ ge?
    * English: How many shumai are in this basket?
    * Analysis: A practical question to ask to know how much you're ordering.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 小心，这**一笼**包子很烫。
    * Pinyin: Xiǎoxīn, zhè **yì lóng** bāozi hěn tàng.
    * English: Be careful, this basket of buns is very hot.
    * Analysis: Here, `一笼` is used to refer to a specific basket of food that has just arrived.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 我一个人就能吃完**一笼**。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ yí ge rén jiù néng chī wán **yì lóng**.
    * English: I can finish a whole basket by myself.
    * Analysis: A common, slightly informal phrase to express how much you love a particular dish.
  * **Example 6:**
    * **一笼**汤包多少钱？
    * Pinyin: **Yì lóng** tāng bāo duōshǎo qián?
    * English: How much is one basket of soup dumplings?
    * Analysis: A direct and essential sentence for ordering and managing your budget.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 他们家的蟹粉小笼是招牌，我们必须点**一笼**。
    * Pinyin: Tāmen jiā de xièfěn xiǎolóng shì zhāopái, wǒmen bìxū diǎn **yì lóng**.
    * English: Their crab roe xiaolongbao is their specialty; we have to order a basket.
    * Analysis: Shows how to recommend or insist on ordering a signature dish (`招牌 zhāopái`).
  * **Example 8:**
    * 我们一共点了五**笼**点心，应该够了。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen yígòng diǎnle wǔ **lóng** diǎnxīn, yīnggāi gòu le.
    * English: We ordered five baskets of dim sum in total, that should be enough.
    * Analysis: This shows that the number before `笼` can be changed. Note that `一` is dropped when using other numbers.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 热气腾腾的**一笼**叉烧包被端了上来。
    * Pinyin: Rèqì téngténg de **yì lóng** chāshāo bāo bèi duān le shànglái.
    * English: A steaming hot basket of BBQ pork buns was brought to the table.
    * Analysis: A more descriptive sentence, using the idiom `热气腾腾 (rèqì téngténg)` to mean "steaming hot."
  * **Example 10:**
    * 我爷爷在阳台上养了**一笼**鸟。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ yéye zài yángtái shàng yǎngle **yì lóng** niǎo.
    * English: My grandpa keeps a cage of birds on the balcony.
    * Analysis: This is an important example showing the non-food-related usage of `笼` as "a cage of."
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **Specificity is Key:** A common mistake for learners is to think **笼 (lóng)** is a generic word for "basket." It is not. You cannot use it for a shopping basket (**篮子 lánzi**) or a fruit basket (**果篮 guǒlán**). **笼** is almost exclusively used for a **steamer basket (蒸笼 zhēnglóng)** or a **cage (笼子 lóngzi)**.
    * **Incorrect:** ~~我提着一笼蔬菜。~~ (I'm carrying a basket of vegetables.)
    * **Correct:** 我提着一篮子蔬菜。(Wǒ tízhe yī lánzi shūcài.)
  * **Measure Word vs. Noun:** Remember that in the phrase `一笼包子`, **笼** is a measure word. The actual object is a **蒸笼 (zhēnglóng)**. You wouldn't say "Give me the 笼" when asking for the physical basket; you'd ask for the `蒸笼`.
  * **One Item vs. a Whole Basket:** Don't confuse ordering a single item with ordering a whole basket.
    * `一个包子 (yí ge bāozi)` = one single bun.
    * `一笼包子 (yì lóng bāozi)` = a whole steamer basket of buns (usually 3-8 buns).
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * **[[小笼包]] (xiǎolóngbāo):** "Small basket buns." The most famous dish associated with this measure word.
  * **[[蒸笼]] (zhēnglóng):** The specific noun for the bamboo steamer basket itself.
  * **[[点心]] (diǎnxīn):** The category of food (dim sum, snacks) often served in a `笼`.
  * **[[个]] (gè):** The most common, all-purpose measure word. You'd use this to count individual dumplings if you took them out of the basket.
  * **[[盘]] (pán):** A related measure word meaning "a plate of," used for fried or stir-fried dishes.
  * **[[碗]] (wǎn):** Another common measure word, meaning "a bowl of," used for soups, noodles, or rice.
  * **[[笼子]] (lóngzi):** The noun for "a cage." `一笼鸟` is a shortened form of `一笼子的鸟`.
  * **[[饮茶]] (yǐn chá):** Literally "to drink tea," this term refers to the entire cultural practice of going out for dim sum.