菜 — meaning in English: dish

cài · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for dish

订婚

dìnghūn

绅士

shēnshì

丝绸

sīchóu

菜

cài

警方

jǐngfāng

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neutral very common

Usage

Native speakers often use the word 菜 (cài) in everyday conversations, especially when discussing food at home or in restaurants. For instance, a family member might ask, 'What dish will we have for dinner?' or a friend might suggest, 'Let's order a few dishes from that new restaurant.'

Synonyms & nuances

While 菜 (cài) broadly refers to 'dish,' it can also specifically denote 'vegetables' in some contexts. A similar word, 料理 (liàolǐ), translates to 'cuisine' or 'cooking,' which has a more formal tone and is used when discussing culinary styles or techniques.

Culture

The character 菜 (cài) originally referred to 'vegetables' in ancient China, reflecting the agricultural roots of Chinese cuisine. Over time, it evolved to encompass all types of dishes, symbolizing the significance of food in Chinese culture, where sharing meals is central to social bonding and hospitality.

FAQ

Q.What does the word 菜 mean in English?

In English, 菜 (cài) translates to 'dish,' but it can also mean 'vegetable' depending on the context. It's a versatile term commonly used in conversations about food.

Q.How do I use 菜 in a sentence?

You can use 菜 (cài) in sentences like '我想吃这个菜' (Wǒ xiǎng chī zhège cài), which means 'I want to eat this dish.' It's great for ordering food or discussing meals.

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 菜?

One common mistake is confusing 菜 (cài) with 盘 (pán), which means 'plate.' Remember that 菜 refers to the food itself, while 盘 refers to the dish or plate it’s served on.

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