A liáng bēi is a kitchen tool used to measure precise volumes of liquids or dry ingredients, typically marked with metric (milliliters) and/or imperial (cups, fluid ounces) units. The first character, liáng, means 'to measure' and is pronounced with the second tone here (as a verb); the second character, bēi, means 'cup' or 'glass'. Together, they literally mean 'measuring cup'—a functional compound noun where both characters contribute directly to the meaning.

This word is commonly used in cooking, baking, chemistry labs, and medical contexts (e.g., measuring medicine doses). Unlike generic cups, a liáng bēi has calibrated markings and is usually made of transparent plastic or glass for accuracy. It’s distinct from a regular drinking cup (bēi zi) and not interchangeable in recipes requiring precision.