Cooking & Markets

1. 这道菜怎么做？

   Zhè dào cài zěn me zuò?

   How do you make this dish?

   Usage

   Asking about the recipe for a Chinese dish

   Grammar Note

   "道" is the measure word for dishes. "怎么做" = how to make/cook. Chinese cuisine varies greatly by region: Sichuan (spicy), Cantonese (fresh), Jiangsu (sweet), and Shandong (savory) are the "Eight Great Cuisines".

2. 需要哪些食材？

   Xū yào nǎ xiē shí cái?

   What ingredients do you need?

   Usage

   Asking about the ingredients needed for a dish

   Grammar Note

   "哪些" = which ones/what kind (plural question). "食材" = ingredients. Key Chinese ingredients include tofu, ginger, scallions, Sichuan peppercorns (花椒), and star anise (八角).

3. 先热锅，再加油。

   Xiān rè guō, zài jiā yóu.

   First heat the wok, then add oil.

   Usage

   Basic Chinese cooking technique — heating the wok before adding oil

   Grammar Note

   "先...再..." = first...then... (sequence). "热锅" = heat the wok. The "hot wok, cold oil" (热锅冷油) technique prevents sticking and is fundamental to Chinese stir-fry cooking.

4. 要用大火炒。

   Yào yòng dà huǒ chǎo.

   Stir-fry on high heat.

   Usage

   Describing the high-heat stir-fry technique essential in Chinese cooking

   Grammar Note

   "大火" = high heat. "小火" = low heat. "中火" = medium heat. "炒" = stir-fry. "Wok hei" (镬气/锅气) — the smoky char flavor from high-heat stir-frying — is the hallmark of authentic Chinese cooking.

5. 放多少盐合适？

   Fàng duō shao yán hé shì?

   How much salt is appropriate?

   Usage

   Asking about the right amount of seasoning

   Grammar Note

   "放" = put in/add (for cooking). "多少" = how much. "合适" = appropriate/right. Chinese recipes often say "适量" (to taste) or "少许" (a little). Learning these amounts takes practice.

6. 把肉切成薄片。

   Bǎ ròu qiē chéng báo piàn.

   Slice the meat thinly.

   Usage

   Instruction to slice meat thin for stir-frying or hot pot

   Grammar Note

   "把" construction moves the object before the verb: 把+object+verb. "切成" = cut into (resultative). "薄片" = thin slices. This structure emphasizes the result/disposal of the object.

7. 汤要炖多久？

   Tāng yào dùn duō jiǔ?

   How long should the soup simmer?

   Usage

   Asking about the cooking time for a simmered dish

   Grammar Note

   "炖" = simmer/braise slowly. Different from "炒" (stir-fry). "多久" = how long (time duration). Chinese slow-simmered soups (老火汤) can cook for 4–8 hours for deep flavor.

8. 我想学包饺子。

   Wǒ xiǎng xué bāo jiǎo zi.

   I want to learn how to wrap dumplings.

   Usage

   Expressing desire to learn the traditional art of making Chinese dumplings

   Grammar Note

   "包" = wrap. "饺子" = dumplings. Making dumplings together is a beloved Chinese New Year tradition, especially in northern China. Dumpling-making classes are popular tourist activities.

9. 加点儿醋味道会更好。

   Jiā diǎnr cù wèi dào huì gèng hǎo.

   Adding a little vinegar will improve the flavor.

   Usage

   Cooking tip about using vinegar to enhance flavor

   Grammar Note

   "点儿" (with er tone) = a little (Beijing dialect). "醋" = vinegar. "更" = even more. Vinegar is crucial in Chinese cooking — Shanxi aged vinegar and Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar are famous varieties.

10. 这道菜需要腌制多久？

    Zhè dào cài xū yào yān zhì duō jiǔ?

    How long does this dish need to be marinated?

    Usage

    Asking about marinating time for a recipe

    Grammar Note

    "腌制" = marinate/pickle. "需要" = require/need. "多久" = how long. Marinating is important in Chinese cooking for tenderizing meat and adding flavor. Common marinades use soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and ginger.

11. 豆腐

    Dòufu

    Tofu

    Usage

    Points at tofu as an ingredient; also useful for checking a soy allergy

12. 汤

    Tāng

    Soup

    Usage

    In Chinese "tāng" means soup — not hot water, which the same character means in Japanese

13. 水果

    Shuǐguǒ

    Fruit

    Usage

    Points at fruit in a market or eatery

14. 大蒜

    Dàsuàn

    Garlic

    Usage

    Used to check for garlic or ask for it to be left out

15. 洋葱

    Yángcōng

    Onion

    Usage

    Used to check for onion or ask for it to be left out

16. 辣椒

    Làjiāo

    Chili pepper

    Usage

    The chili that makes food hot; black pepper is "hújiāo", a separate word

17. 香菜

    Xiāngcài

    Coriander, cilantro

    Usage

    Shown by people who want it left out

18. 姜

    Jiāng

    Ginger

    Usage

    Points at ginger as an ingredient

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