CHOPSTICS is the English name for eating utensils (Chinese, K’uai-tzu) that have been used in China since at least the 4^th century B. C. and later in the other countries of East Asia. The word “chop” is a corruption of K’uai, which means means “quick” or “speedy.” Chopsticks are pairs of narrow sticks approximately 8 inches (20 cm) long, although the size varies. The upper half of the stick is squared, making is easier for it to be grasped securely. The lower half is rounded. Often, in Japan, the sticks are shorter and the lower ends come to a blunt point. Japanese restaurants sometimes use prepackaged pairs whose upper ends have to be separated before use.

CHOPSTICS是餐具的英文名字（中文叫，筷子），它至少从公元前4世纪就已开始在中国使用，之后在东亚其它国家中使用。“chop”一词是筷的一种变体，其意思指“快速”或“迅速”。筷子是一对大约8英寸（20厘米）长的窄棍，尽管大小不一。这种筷子的上半部分为方型，使其更容易抓牢。下半部分为圆型。在日本，通常这种筷子较短，而且下端较钝。日本的餐馆有时使用预先成对包装好的筷子，使用前必须从上端分开。

Chopsticks are usually made of bamboo, although modern ones may be of plastic. More elaborate pairs are made of enameled wood, ivory, or bone, and in Korea, of brass or silver. They also may be inscribed with poetry or may be decorated.

筷子通常由竹子制成，尽管现代的筷子可能是塑料的。更精致的筷子是用涂漆的木材、象牙，或骨头制成，而在韩国是由黄铜或银制成的。它们也可能刻有诗歌或者进行装饰。

Chopsticks are held in one hand. The first, or lower, stick is held stationary between the base of the thumb and the fourth finger. The second, or upper, one is held by the thumb and the second and third fingers, and it is this stick that is manipulated, pinching the food against the stationary chopstick. Because the food is cut into small pieces before being served, knives are not needed and therefore are not set on the table as in the West.

筷子是由一只手持握的。第一根，或者下方的那根，木棍在拇指根部与第四指之间保持不动。第二根，或上方的那根，由拇指、二指和三指握住，就是操纵这根筷子与逆向不动的筷子一起捏食物。因为，食物在上桌前被切成了小块，不需要刀，所以不像西方那样要在桌上摆上刀。

                         CHARLES J. CHU, Connecticut College

                           查尔斯 J. 朱，康涅狄格学院

                                         2023年10月6日译

（译者注：该词条位列《大美百科全书》1985年版，第6卷，第629页）