饺子
jiǎo zi
The English word gyoza is translated into Chinese as 饺子 (jiǎo zi).
While the English word 'gyoza' refers specifically to the Japanese preparation, the Chinese term 饺子 refers to the broader category of boiled, steamed or pan-fried dumplings.
Meaning: A Japanese crescent-shaped dumpling of Chinese origin (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan, people use the term 水餃 (shuǐjiǎo) to refer to boiled dumplings or gyoza.
How do you pronounce it?
jiǎo zi
When do people say it?
In Chinese culture, 饺子 are a traditional food eaten during the Lunar New Year to symbolize wealth and prosperity.
Did you know?
- During Lunar New Year preparations, some families hide a clean coin or a date inside one 饺子 as a lucky charm for the person who finds it.
- The word 饺子 is conceptually linked to ancient currency. Its crescent shape was designed to mimic the 元宝 (yuánbǎo), which were the gold and silver ingots used as money in imperial China.
- When making 饺子, it is a common custom for family members to wrap them together, turning the cooking process into a social bonding activity.
Examples in context
- 你想吃锅贴吗？Do you want to eat gyoza/pan-fried dumplings?
- 我想吃饺子。Wǒ xiǎng chī jiǎozi.I want to eat dumplings.
- 这些饺子很好吃。Zhèxiē jiǎozi hěn hǎochī.These dumplings are delicious.
- 你会做饺子吗？Nǐ huì zuò jiǎozi ma?Can you make dumplings?
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 志强 Zhiqiang晚餐我们吃饺子吧。Wǎncān wǒmen chī jiǎozi ba.Let's eat dumplings for dinner.
- 雨婷 Yuting好啊，我最喜欢吃饺子了。Hǎo a, wǒ zuì xǐhuān chī jiǎozi le.Okay, I love eating dumplings the most.
- 志强 Zhiqiang雨婷，你喜欢什么馅的？Yǔtíng, nǐ xǐhuān shénme xiàn de?Yuting, what filling do you like?
- 雨婷 Yuting我想吃猪肉白菜馅的。Wǒ xiǎng chī zhūròu báicài xiàn de.I want to eat pork and cabbage filling.
