3

What's the difference between 顿 and 道 as a measure word for meals? What each measure word stresses?

  1. 吃了一顿饭
  2. 吃了一道饭

Looks like 顿 used to mean 点头 diǎntóu or 鞠躬 jūgōng. If it's so, then presenting "a dish" with a 鞠躬 makes some sence and can explain why 顿 started to be used as a measure word for this type of thing.

But 道 as far as I know is used for crooked thinks like roads and lightnings. Can 道 be used as "a round" like in boxing. "Next round of meals"...

Improve this question
6
  • see dictionary, e.g.bkrs： 顿 classifier for meals, beatings, scoldings etc: 挨了一顿骂 get a scolding 说了他一顿 give him a dressing-down 一天三顿饭 three meals a day 道 classifier for long thin things (rivers, cracks etc), barriers (walls, doors etc), questions (in an exam etc), commands, courses in a meal, steps in a process (old) administrative division (similar to province in Tang times)
    – user6065
    Sep 3, 2017 at 13:49
  • I know what dictionary says. But simply by looking at the dictionary datum I can't see why there are 2 measure words for MEALS. Is there etymological connection between 顿 as a meal and 顿 as a conflict.
    – coobit
    Sep 4, 2017 at 6:12
  • 顿 - looks like a bud + a head = maybe it's a swelling on the forehead after deep bow? Maybe it's how 顿 got it "measure word for conflict meaning"?
    – coobit
    Sep 4, 2017 at 6:13
  • I am not quite sure the etymology of 顿 as a meal. My guess will be that 顿 can mean 'Pause' and 'sudden', so meals are separated with Pauses.
    – dan
    Sep 4, 2017 at 6:40
  • I thought meals should be separated with deep bows... :) You know, like those meals in the Emperor Palace.
    – coobit
    Sep 4, 2017 at 7:17

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
6

一頓饭 is one meal whereas 一道菜 is one course or one dish.

這頓豐富的晚餐共有十二道菜。

This sumptuous dinner is made up of twelve courses.

Improve this answer
3
  • So sometimes one 頓 consists of 12 courses 道?
    – coobit
    Sep 4, 2017 at 6:20
  • @coobit There isn't any relationship like that. One 顿 can consists of any number of courses.
    – dan
    Sep 4, 2017 at 6:23
  • Yes, a very formal banquet dinner (wedding, birthday ... etc.) typically consists of 12 courses and way too much food, IMO.
    – monalisa
    Sep 4, 2017 at 17:39
3

一道饭 is a wrong expression. It should be 一道菜.

Both 顿 and 道 can be measure words. For example,

顿: 一顿饭，打一顿，揍一顿...

道：一道菜，一道题目，一道伤疤...

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.