西兰花炒牛肉
xīlánhuā chǎo niúròu
The English phrase "beef and broccoli" is 西兰花炒牛肉 (xīlánhuā chǎo niúròu) in Chinese.
This phrase refers to a Chinese-style stir-fry dish consisting of sliced beef and broccoli florets. You can also use the shorter version 西兰花牛肉, which omits the specific cooking method.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 西兰花炒牛肉 is composed of 西兰花 (broccoli), 炒 (stir-fry) and 牛肉 (beef).
Which one should you use?
西兰花炒牛肉 includes the cooking method 炒 (stir-fry), whereas the shorter version 西兰花牛肉 simply means "broccoli beef".
How do you pronounce it?
xīlánhuā chǎo niúròu
Did you know?
- The word for broccoli, 西兰花, literally translates to 'Western land flower'.
- The word for beef, 牛肉, is a compound of 牛 (cow/ox) and 肉 (meat). In Chinese, 肉 on its own often defaults to meaning 'pork' unless another animal is specified.
- In authentic Chinese home cooking, the 'broccoli' in 西兰花炒牛肉 is often replaced with 西兰花's cousin, Chinese broccoli or gai lan, which has a more bitter taste and longer stems.
Examples in context
- 请给我一份牛肉和西兰花Please give me one portion of beef and broccoli
- 我想点一份西兰花炒牛肉。Wǒ xiǎng diǎn yī fèn xīlánhuā chǎo niúròu.I would like to order an order of beef and broccoli.
- 西兰花炒牛肉的味道很不错。Xīlánhuā chǎo niúròu de wèidào hěn bùcuò.The beef and broccoli tastes very good.
- 这家餐厅的西兰花炒牛肉很有名。Zhè jiā cāntīng de xīlánhuā chǎo niúròu hěn yǒumíng.This restaurant's beef and broccoli is very famous.
Example conversation
At a Chinese restaurant, choosing what to eat.
- 佳怡 Jiayi伟，你想吃什么？Wěi, nǐ xiǎng chī shénme?Wei, what do you want to eat?
- 伟 Wei我喜欢吃西兰花炒牛肉。Wǒ xǐhuān chī xīlánhuā chǎo niúròu.I like eating beef and broccoli.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我们就点一份西兰花炒牛肉吧。Nà wǒmen jiù diǎn yī fèn xīlánhuā chǎo niúròu ba.Then let's order an order of beef and broccoli.
- 伟 Wei好的，佳怡。Hǎo de, Jiāyí.Okay, Jiayi.
