草药
cǎoyào
The English word "herb" is translated into Chinese as 草药 (cǎoyào).
草药 is most commonly used when referring to herbs in a medicinal or botanical context rather than just culinary seasonings.
Meaning: plant used to flavour food (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 草 (grass/herb) and 药 (medicine).
Which one should you use?
Depending on your specific meaning, you may use different terms: 中草药 specifically refers to Chinese herbal medicine, while 草本植物 is used in scientific or botanical contexts to mean "herbaceous plants".
How do you pronounce it?
cǎoyào
Did you know?
- Some 草药 are categorized not just by the plant part, but by 'temperature' such as 'cold' or 'hot', which dictates when they should be consumed.
- The word 草 in 草药 can also refer to 'rough' or 'unrefined', which is why it is used in phrases for 'scribbling' or 'sketching' in Chinese.
- Unlike in English where 'herb' can be a generic term for a plant, using 草药 in a kitchen context might lead a Chinese speaker to think you are cooking medicine.
Example conversation
Wei and Jiayi are cooking dinner together in the kitchen.
- 伟 Wei佳怡，这个菜需要加草药吗？Jiāyí, zhège cài xūyào jiā cǎoyào ma?Jiayi, does this dish need herbs?
- 佳怡 Jiayi是的，加一点草药会更香。Shì de, jiā yīdiǎn cǎoyào huì gèng xiāng.Yes, adding some herbs will make it more fragrant.
- 伟 Wei我应该用哪一种草药？Wǒ yīnggāi yòng nǎ yī zhǒng cǎoyào?Which herb should I use?
- 佳怡 Jiayi用那边那把罗勒吧。Yòng nàbiān nà bǎ luólè ba.Use that bunch of basil over there.
