Gaiwan
| Gaiwan | |||||||||
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Gaiwan, showing lid, cup, and saucer | |||||||||
Three gaiwans with various patterns | |||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 蓋碗 | ||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 盖碗 | ||||||||
| Literal meaning | lidded bowl | ||||||||
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| Alternative Chinese name | |||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 蓋杯 | ||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 盖杯 | ||||||||
| Literal meaning | lidded cup | ||||||||
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| Second alternative Chinese name | |||||||||
| Chinese | 焗盅 | ||||||||
| Literal meaning | hot-steeping vessel | ||||||||
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A gaiwan (simplified Chinese: 盖碗; traditional Chinese: 蓋碗; /ˈɡaɪwɑːn/) or zhong (盅) is a Chinese lidded bowl without a handle, used for the infusion of tea leaves and the consumption of tea. It was invented during the Ming dynasty. It consists of a bowl, a lid, and a saucer.