小白菜
xiǎo báicài
The English phrase 'bok choy' is translated into Chinese as 小白菜 (xiǎo báicài).
小白菜 refers to the specific variety of Chinese cabbage known as bok choy (Brassica rapa chinensis).
Meaning: Chinese cabbage, Brassica rapa chinensis (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The name literally translates to 'little white vegetable': 小 (xiǎo) means 'little', 白 (bái) means 'white' and 菜 (cài) means 'vegetable'.
Which one should you use?
While 白菜 (báicài) is a broad term for Chinese cabbage, 小白菜 (xiǎobáicài) is used specifically to denote the smaller bok choy variety.
How do you pronounce it?
xiǎo báicài
Did you know?
- In Chinese slang, the word 小白菜 (xiǎobáicài) is sometimes used to describe a person who is naive, weak or easily bullied.
- In traditional Chinese culture, the 'white' in 白菜 is associated with purity and prosperity, making it a popular symbol during the Lunar New Year.
- In Chinese, the word 菜 (cài) means 'vegetable', but it is also the common way to refer to a 'dish' or 'cuisine'.
Examples in context
- 我想买一些小白菜。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yīxiē xiǎobáicài.I want to buy some bok choy.
- 这盘小白菜很新鲜。Zhè pán xiǎobáicài hěn xīnxiān.This plate of bok choy is very fresh.
- 你会做小白菜吗？Nǐ huì zuò xiǎobáicài ma?Do you know how to cook bok choy?
Example conversation
In a grocery store, deciding what to cook for dinner.
- 雨婷 Yuting伟，我们买点小白菜吧。Wěi, wǒmen mǎi diǎn xiǎobáicài ba.Wei, let's buy some bok choy.
- 伟 Wei好，小白菜挺好吃的。Hǎo, xiǎobáicài tǐng hǎochī de.Okay, bok choy is quite delicious.
- 雨婷 Yuting你看，这些小白菜很绿。Nǐ kàn, zhèxiē xiǎobáicài hěn lǜ.Look, this bok choy is very green.
- 伟 Wei那我们就买这棵吧。Nà wǒmen jiù mǎi zhè kē ba.Then let's buy this one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bok choy” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
