3 · 40 words

In the kitchen

Ways of cooking, seasonings and the things a cook reaches for.

English says “fry” for three things that Chinese keeps apart: 炒(chǎo) is quick stirring over a high heat, 煎(jiān) is frying something flat in a little oil, and 炸(zhá) is deep-frying. Many dish names are simply the method plus the ingredient — 炒饭(chǎofàn), fried rice; 蒸(zhēng)鱼(yú), steamed fish — so the cooking verbs alone let you read half a menu.

The words

Verb (16)

炒(chǎo)to stir-fryVerb3

妈妈(māma)在(zài)厨房(chúfáng)炒(chǎo)菜(cài)。Mum is in the kitchen, cooking.

The basic Chinese way of cooking; 炒菜(chǎocài) often just means “to cook”.

煮(zhǔ)to boil; to cook in waterVerb3

鸡蛋(jīdàn)要(yào)煮(zhǔ)十(shí)分钟(fēnzhōng)。The eggs need to boil for ten minutes.

蒸(zhēng)to steamVerb3

这(zhè)条(tiáo)鱼(yú)我们(wǒmen)蒸(zhēng)着(zhe)吃(chī)。We are going to have this fish steamed.

烤(kǎo)to roast; to bake; to grillVerb3

奶奶(nǎinai)给(gěi)我们(wǒmen)烤(kǎo)了(le)一些(yìxiē)面包(miànbāo)。Grandma baked some bread for us.

炸(zhá)to deep-fryVerb3

炸(zhá)的(de)东西(dōngxi)好吃(hǎochī)，可是(kěshì)不(bú)太(tài)健康(jiànkāng)。Fried food tastes good, but it isn’t very healthy.

With the fourth tone, 炸(zhà) means “to explode”.

煎(jiān)to pan-fry; to fry in a little oilVerb3

早上(zǎoshang)我(wǒ)煎(jiān)了(le)两(liǎng)个(ge)鸡蛋(jīdàn)。This morning I fried two eggs.

炖(dùn)to stew; to simmerVerb3

这(zhè)锅(guō)汤(tāng)已经(yǐjīng)炖(dùn)了(le)两(liǎng)个(ge)小时(xiǎoshí)。This pot of soup has been simmering for two hours.

烧(shāo)to cook; to braise; to heat (water)Verb3

你(nǐ)先(xiān)烧(shāo)点儿(diǎnr)水(shuǐ)，我(wǒ)来(lái)泡(pào)茶(chá)。You boil some water first, and I’ll make the tea.

Also “to burn”; 红烧(hóngshāo) is braising in soy sauce.

切(qiē)to cut; to sliceVerb3

请(qǐng)把(bǎ)西红柿(xīhóngshì)切成(qiēchéng)小(xiǎo)块(kuài)。Please cut the tomatoes into small pieces.

剥(bāo)to peel (by hand)Verb3

他(tā)剥(bāo)了(le)一(yí)个(ge)橘子(júzi)给(gěi)我(wǒ)。He peeled an orange for me.

Read bō in a few written compounds.

拌(bàn)to mix; to toss (a cold dish)Verb3

黄瓜(huángguā)加(jiā)点儿(diǎnr)醋(cù)拌(bàn)一下(yíxià)就(jiù)可以(kěyǐ)吃(chī)了(le)。Toss the cucumber with a little vinegar and it’s ready to eat.

撒(sǎ)to sprinkle; to scatterVerb3

出锅(chūguō)前(qián)撒(sǎ)一点儿(yìdiǎnr)葱花(cōnghuā)。Sprinkle on a little chopped spring onion just before serving.

翻(fān)to turn overVerb3

鱼(yú)煎好(jiānhǎo)一(yí)面(miàn)以后(yǐhòu)，再(zài)翻(fān)过来(guòlai)。Once one side of the fish is done, turn it over.

加热(jiārè)to heat up; to warm upVerb3

牛奶(niúnǎi)有点儿(yǒudiǎnr)凉(liáng)，我(wǒ)帮(bāng)你(nǐ)加热(jiārè)一下(yíxià)。The milk is a bit cold — I’ll warm it up for you.

解冻(jiědòng)to thaw; to defrostVerb3

冻肉(dòngròu)要(yào)先(xiān)解冻(jiědòng)再(zài)切(qiē)。Frozen meat should be thawed before you cut it.

尝(cháng)to taste; to try (food)Verb3

这(zhè)个(ge)菜(cài)是(shì)我(wǒ)做(zuò)的(de)，你(nǐ)尝(cháng)一下(yíxià)。I made this dish — have a taste.

This list belongs to Food and drink — six lists and 240 words that can also be practised as a whole.

Practise this list

Multiple choice and gaps, drawn from exactly these 40 words. Whatever you get wrong comes back tomorrow.