蛋糕 (dàngāo), meaning “cake” in Chinese, is a word that combines the concept of a fermented food with a raised or puffed-up shape.

Here’s a breakdown of its components:

• 蛋 (dàn): This character means “egg.” It’s a pictogram that originally depicted an egg, symbolizing the oval shape and the potential for new life. In this context, it likely refers to the use of eggs in cake batter.

• 糕 (gāo): This character means “cake” or “pastry.” It’s a phono-semantic compound character where the 米 (mǐ – rice) component hints at the use of grain-based ingredients, and the 高 (gāo – high) component suggests a raised or puffed-up shape, like a risen cake.

Combining these elements, 蛋糕 literally means “egg cake” or “raised pastry made with eggs.” This reflects the key ingredients and characteristics of many cakes, which often contain eggs and have a light and airy texture due to leavening agents.

The term 蛋糕 is used in various contexts related to cakes and desserts:

• 生日蛋糕 (shēngri dàngāo): Birthday cake
• 巧克力蛋糕 (qiǎokèlì dàngāo): Chocolate cake
• 奶油蛋糕 (nǎiyóu dàngāo): Cream cake

By understanding the original meaning of 蛋糕, we can appreciate its connection to the ingredients and physical characteristics of cakes. It also highlights the cultural significance of cakes as celebratory and festive foods in many cultures.