辣椒酱
làjiāojiàng
The English phrase "chilli sauce" is translated into Chinese as 辣椒酱 (làjiāojiàng).
辣椒酱 refers to a spicy condiment made from chili peppers used to add heat to food.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 辣椒 (làjiāo), meaning 'chili pepper' and 酱 (jiàng), meaning 'sauce' or 'paste'. The character 酱 is used for various types of fermented or liquid sauces and pastes.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term 辣酱儿 is an informal variation commonly heard in Beijing and northern China.
How do you pronounce it?
làjiāojiàng
Did you know?
- The character 辣 (là), used in 辣椒酱, also serves as a slang term for someone with a 'spicy' or fierce personality who is outspoken and bold.
- In some regions, the word 酱 (jiàng) implies a fermentation process, meaning that a traditional 辣椒酱 is often aged or cured rather than being a fresh blend of peppers.
- While 辣椒酱 is the general term, the famous 'Lao Gan Ma' brand is so ubiquitous that many people refer to this specific style of oil-based chili sauce as the gold standard for 酱 in Chinese households.
Examples in context
- 哥们，辣酱给我多加点儿！Dude, give me some more chilli sauce!
- 我想买一瓶辣椒酱。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī píng làjiāojiàng.I want to buy a bottle of chilli sauce.
- 这个辣椒酱非常辣。Zhège làjiāojiàng fēicháng là.This chilli sauce is very spicy.
- 你喜欢吃辣椒酱吗？Nǐ xǐhuān chī làjiāojiàng ma?Do you like eating chilli sauce?
Example conversation
At a restaurant, Zhiqiang and Xiaowen are ordering food.
- 志强 Zhiqiang请给我一点辣椒酱。Qǐng gěi wǒ yīdiǎn làjiāojiàng.Please give me some chilli sauce.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen好的，请稍等。Hǎo de, qǐng shāoděng.Okay, please wait a moment.
- 志强 Zhiqiang晓雯，这个辣椒酱很香。Xiǎowén, zhège làjiāojiàng hěn xiāng.Xiaowen, this chilli sauce is very fragrant.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我也觉得很好吃。Wǒ yě juédé hěn hǎochī.I also think it tastes great.
