清真
qīngzhēn
In Chinese, the word for halal is 清真 (qīngzhēn).
The adjective 清真 is used to describe food or items that are fit to eat according to Muslim religious customs. To specify a halal restaurant, you can add the noun 餐厅 (cāntīng) after the adjective to form 清真餐厅.
Meaning: fit to eat according to Muslim religious customs (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 清真 literally means "pure and true."
How do you pronounce it?
qīngzhēn
Did you know?
- In China, 清真 is often used as a shorthand to identify the Hui people, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group, rather than just the food they eat.
- Even though 'halal' is an Arabic concept, the Chinese term 清真 uses purely Chinese characters to convey the entire religious requirement.
- The term 清真 is not just a food label, but originated as a way to praise God during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Examples in context
- 这个饭馆的菜是清真吗？Is the food at the restaurant halal?This sentence is useful for asking if the food at a restaurant is 清真.Tatoeba #5150258 by thomasstrand, translation #5150259 by thomasstrand
- 清真食品很适合穆斯林朋友们食用。Halal food is suitable for Muslim friends to consume.
- 我们今天晚上去吃回族食品，你想来吗？We are going to eat halal food tonight. Would you like to join?
- 去那家餐厅，他们有清真食物，味道很好。Let's go to that restaurant, they have halal food, and it tastes great.
- 我想找一家清真餐厅。Wǒ xiǎng zhǎo yī jiā qīngzhēn cāntīng.I want to find a halal restaurant.
- 这里的牛肉是清真的吗？Zhèlǐ de niúròu shì qīngzhēn de ma?Is the beef here halal?
Example conversation
Wei and Jiayi are choosing a place to eat lunch.
- 佳怡 Jiayi伟，你今天想吃什么？Wěi, nǐ jīntiān xiǎng chī shénme?Wei, what do you want to eat today?
- 伟 Wei我想吃清真餐馆的菜。Wǒ xiǎng chī qīngzhēn cānguǎn de cài.I want to eat food from a halal restaurant.
- 佳怡 Jiayi好，我知道附近有一家。Hǎo, wǒ zhīdào fùjìn yǒu yī jiā.Okay, I know one nearby.
- 伟 Wei那太好了，我们走吧。Nà tài hǎo le, wǒmen zǒu ba.That's great, let's go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “halal” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 清真, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
