A Comprehensive Guide to Translating Chinese Cuisine Terms

Chinese cuisine, with its rich history and diverse flavors, has become increasingly popular worldwide. As more people venture into the world of Chinese food, there is a growing need for accurate translations of various dishes and culinary terms. In this article, we will explore how to say some common Chinese dishes and ingredients in English, along with their pronunciations and meanings. Additionally, we will provide a table summarizing these translations for easy reference.
1、常见中餐菜肴及其英文翻译
中文名称 | 英文名称 | 发音 | 含义 |
饺子 (jiǎozi) | Dumplings | /ˈdʌmplɪŋz/ | A type of dumpling filled with meat or vegetables, typically boiled or steamed. |
包子 (bāozi) | Steamed Bun | /stiːmd/ /bʌn/ | A steamed bread roll with a filling, such as pork or sweet bean paste. |
馒头 (mántou) | Steamed Bread | /stiːmd/ /bred/ | A plain, steamed bread roll made from wheat flour. |
面条 (miàntiáo) | Noodles | /ˈnuːdlz/ | Long, thin strips of dough, usually served in a soup or stir-fried. |
米饭 (mǐfàn) | Rice | /raɪs/ | A staple food made from cooked grains of rice. |
炒饭 (chǎofàn) | Fried Rice | /fraɪd/ /raɪs/ | Rice that has been stir-fried with other ingredients, such as vegetables and meat. |
火锅 (huǒguō) | Hot Pot | /hɒt/ /pɒt/ | A communal meal where diners cook their own ingredients in a simmering pot of broth at the table. |
烧烤 (shāokǎo) | Barbecue | /ˈbɑːrbɪkjuː/ | Food cooked on a grill or over an open flame. |
麻辣烫 (málàtàng) | Spicy Hot Pot | /ˈspaɪsi/ /hɒt/ /pɒt/ | A type of hot pot dish featuring a spicy broth and various ingredients, such as meat, tofu, and vegetables. |
粽子 (zòngzi) | Rice Dumpling | /raɪs/ /ˈdʌmplɪŋ/ | A traditional Chinese food made by wrapping glutinous rice and other fillings in bamboo leaves and steaming or boiling them. |
2、常用中餐食材及其英文翻译
中文名称 | 英文名称 | 发音 | 含义 |
豆腐 (dòufǔ) | Tofu | /ˈtuːfʊ/ | A food made by curdling fresh soy milk and pressing the curds into a solid block. |
青菜 (qīngcài) | Green Vegetables | /griːn/ /ˈvɛdʒtəblz/ | A general term for leafy green vegetables, such as bok choy, spinach, or kale. |
肉类 (ròulèi) | Meat | /miːt/ | The flesh of animals used as food, such as beef, pork, chicken, or lamb. |
海鲜 (hǎixiān) | Seafood | /ˈsiːfuːd/ | Edible marine organisms, such as fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. |
调味品 (tiáowèipǐn) | Seasonings | /ˈsiːzənɪŋz/ | Substances added to food to enhance its flavor, such as salt, pepper, soy sauce, or vinegar. |
3、中餐烹饪方法及其英文翻译
中文名称 | 英文名称 | 发音 | 含义 |
炒 (chǎo) | Stir-fry | /stɜːrfrai/ | A cooking method where ingredients are quickly cooked in a small amount of oil over high heat while being constantly stirred. |
煮 (zhǔ) | Boil | /bɔɪl/ | A cooking method where food is immersed in boiling water until it is fully cooked. |
蒸 (zhēng) | Steam | /stiːm/ | A cooking method where food is placed in a steamer basket above boiling water, allowing the steam to cook the food. |
炖 (dùn) | Stew | /stjuː/ | A cooking method where food is slowly cooked in liquid, such as water or broth, until tender. |
烤 (kǎo) | Bake/Roast | /beɪk/ /rəʊst/ | A cooking method where food is cooked by dry heat in an oven or over an open flame. |
4、中餐餐具及其英文翻译
中文名称 | 英文名称 | 发音 | 含义 |
筷子 (kuàizi) | Chopsticks | /ˈtʃɒpstɪks/ | A pair of eating utensils consisting of two long, narrow sticks used to pick up food. |
碗 (wǎn) | Bowl | /bəʊl/ | A round, deep dish used for serving food, especially soup or rice. |
盘子 (pánzi) | Plate | /pleɪt/ | A shallow, flat dish used for serving food. |
勺子 (sháozi) | Spoon | /spuːn/ | An eating utensil consisting of a small bowl attached to a handle, used for scooping up food or liquid. |
杯子 (bēizi) | Cup | /kʌp/ | A container used for drinking liquids, typically made of glass, ceramic, or plastic. |
5、中餐相关词汇及其英文翻译
中文名称 | 英文名称 | 发音 | 含义 |
菜单 (càidān) | Menu | /ˈmenjuː/ | A list of items available for purchase at a restaurant or café. |
点菜 (diǎncài) | Order Dishes | /ˈɔːrdər/ /ˈdɪʃiz/ | The act of selecting and requesting specific dishes from a menu at a restaurant. |
结账 (jiézhàng) | Pay the Bill | /peɪ/ /ðə/ /bɪl/ | The act of paying for one's meal at a restaurant. |
服务员 (fúwùyuán) | Waiter/Waitress | /ˈweɪtə(r)/ /ˈweɪtrɪs/ | A person who serves customers in a restaurant or café. |
厨房 (chúfáng) | Kitchen | /ˈkɪtʃɪn/ | The room in a home or restaurant where food is prepared and cooked. |
FAQs:
Q1: How do you say "红烧肉" in English?

A1: "Red Braised Pork" or simply "Braised Pork".
Q2: What is the English translation for "清蒸鱼"?
A2: "Steamed Fish".
小编有话说:
通过本文,我们详细介绍了如何将常见的中餐菜肴、食材、烹饪方法以及餐具等词汇翻译成英文,这些翻译不仅有助于非中文母语者更好地理解和享受中国美食,也为中餐文化的传播提供了便利,希望本文能成为您探索中餐世界的一份实用指南,如果您有任何疑问或需要进一步的帮助,请随时联系我们,祝您用餐愉快!