On Sun, 5 Dec 2004 16:51:22 -0800, "Melinda" >
wrote:

>Hi all,
>
>On this page http://www.nobleharbor.com/tea/kungfu/teaware.html they show a
>gaibei that looks exactly like a gaiwan. On the Shan Shui page
>http://www.shanshuiteas.com/ under gaibei they show a handled cup with a
>lid, that looks similar to a western type cup. My question...is gaibei a
>very general term describing any cup with a lid whereas gaiwan is
>specifically the little cup we all know and love? Or what's the difference?


It's interesting.

gaiwan:

gai = the cover of the cup/bowl
wan = bowl

gaibei:

gai = the cover of the cup/bowl
wan = cup

I think the two terms basically describe the same thing. A cup/bowl
and a cover. There are coffee style mugs with a top that they refer
to as gaibei, but I have seldom heard the term used even when talking
about this. I have heard chabei (literally tea cup) more often than
gaibei, and chabei can be used to describe the small tasting cups as
well. Gaiwan is the more commonly used phrase and it is used solely
in the preparation or drinking of tea; it's not used in everyday life.
Some of the older people use the gaiwan for drinking tea, but even
this is becoming more rare as coffee drinking proliferates and because
the younger generation doesn't have as much interest in tea.

It could also be a regional variation in language. Maybe people in a
certain place just call it gaibei instead of gaiwan.

As an aside, I actually searched all over southern China for a
specific type of gaiwan that I saw used in some teashops and couldn't
find it. heh.

But other than this, my Chinese friends and I don't know. heh.



Mydnight

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thus then i turn me from my countries light, to dwell in the solemn shades of an endless night.