Indulgences

1. 白酒

   Báijiǔ

   Baijiu (Chinese grain spirit)

   Usage

   A colourless spirit distilled from fermented sorghum and other grains. ⚠ Typically 35–60% ABV, very strong. At banquets it is drunk in small cups over many toasts, so say up front if you cannot drink

   Grammar Note

   ⚠ Literally "white liquor", but this is not white wine — white wine is 白葡萄酒. 烧酒 (shāojiǔ) is another name for baijiu

2. 二锅头

   Èrguōtóu

   Erguotou (Beijing baijiu)

   Usage

   A light-aroma (qingxiang) baijiu from Beijing, made from sorghum, bran qu and water. It is inexpensive and widely stocked in canteens and small shops, but the strength is that of any baijiu

   Grammar Note

   The name means "second pot, head" and is usually explained as the first spirit drawn off the second distillation; accounts of its origin vary

3. 黄酒

   Huángjiǔ

   Huangjiu (Chinese yellow rice wine)

   Usage

   A brewed (not distilled) wine made by fermenting steamed rice, glutinous rice or millet with qu starter; most popular in eastern China. At roughly 8–20% ABV it is far weaker than baijiu, and it is often served warmed

4. 绍兴酒

   Shàoxīngjiǔ

   Shaoxing wine

   Usage

   The huangjiu of Shaoxing, Zhejiang, brewed from glutinous rice, water and wheat-based yeast. Drunk as a beverage and used heavily in cooking — it is essential to braises such as Dongpo pork

5. 米酒

   Mǐjiǔ

   Rice wine

   Usage

   The general term for rice-based alcohol, normally meaning brewed rather than distilled types; Chinese huangjiu falls under it. Also widely used as a cooking wine

6. 敬酒

   Jìngjiǔ

   Toasting someone

   Usage

   The banquet ritual of offering drinks — host to guest, and guests to one another in turn. Traditionally both parties stand, and three cups is the conventional limit. ⚠ In some regions the cup is expected to be emptied, so decline early if you do not drink

   Grammar Note

   In the classical drinking rite, the host's first offer to a guest is 献, the guest's return toast is 酢, the host's further offer is 酬, and guest-to-guest is 旅酬. Going round everyone in turn is 行酒, locally also called 打通关

7. 工夫茶

   Gōngfuchá

   Gongfu tea

   Usage

   The tea practice of Fujian and the Chaoshan area (Chaozhou, Shantou, Jieyang): many short infusions from a small pot into small cups. Chaozhou gongfu tea art was listed as national intangible cultural heritage in 2008. In Taiwan it is also called 老人茶

   Grammar Note

   ⚠ The standard spelling is 工夫茶. The name refers to the time and care (工夫) that selecting, roasting, storing and brewing demand — not to 功夫, martial arts

8. 茶馆

   Cháguǎn

   Teahouse

   Usage

   A shop where tea is brewed and served, also called 茶楼 or 茶肆. In many cities — Chengdu's teahouses are the classic example — one pot of tea buys you an afternoon

9. 瓜子

   Guāzǐ

   Guazi (roasted melon or sunflower seeds)

   Usage

   Roasted watermelon, pumpkin or sunflower seeds — a standard snack. They are set out for guests alongside cigarettes, alcohol, drinks and sweets, and are a fixture at Lunar New Year. Cracking them with your teeth is 嗑瓜子 (kè guāzǐ)

10. 香烟

    Xiāngyān

    Cigarettes

    Usage

    ⚠ Indoor smoking is banned by city ordinance in much of China. Shanghai's ordinance bans it in indoor public places, indoor workplaces, public transport and transport waiting areas, and Shenzhen's extends the ban to bus stops and metro entrances. Always check before lighting up

    Grammar Note

    Tobacco in general is 烟 (yān). "To smoke" is 吸烟 (xīyān) or 抽烟 (chōuyān), and no-smoking signs read 禁止吸烟

11. 打火机

    Dǎhuǒjī

    Lighter

    Usage

    Sold in convenience stores and kiosks. ⚠ Chinese aviation security rules prohibit lighters and matches both in carry-on and checked baggage, so you will have to discard one at the airport

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