我喜欢奶酪
wǒ xǐhuān nǎilào
The English phrase "I like cheese" is expressed in Chinese as 我喜欢奶酪 (wǒ xǐhuān nǎilào).
The phrase is a statement used to express a personal preference for cheese. You can specify different types of cheese by using their specific names, such as 切达奶酪 (cheddar cheese), 马苏里拉奶酪 (mozzarella cheese) or 蓝纹奶酪 (blue cheese). The term can also appear in food names, like 奶酪塔 (Cheese Tarts) or 奶酪乞丐鸡 (Beggar's Chicken with Cheese).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 我 (I), 喜欢 (to like) and 奶酪 (cheese).
Which one should you use?
While 我喜欢奶酪 is a standard way to state your preference, you can use 我爱奶酪 to express a stronger feeling, as this replaces the verb for "to like" with the verb for "to love".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, you can use the phrase 我鍾意食芝士 to express a love for cheese.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the sentence negative, place 不 (not) before the verb 喜欢 (to like) to say "I don't like cheese" (我不喜欢奶酪).
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ xǐhuān nǎilào
Did you know?
- In Chinese, the word for 'cheese' 奶酪 literally translates to 'milk glue', reflecting the coagulated nature of the food.
- While 奶酪 is the standard Mandarin term, many speakers in urban areas or those influenced by Hong Kong use the transliteration 芝士 (zhīshì) to refer to cheese, a word that sounds almost identical to the English word.
- When saying 'I like cheese' in a social setting, Chinese speakers often omit the 我 ('I') entirely if the context is clear, simply saying 喜欢奶酪.
Examples in context
- 我喜欢奶酪。Wǒ xǐhuān nǎilào.I like cheese.
- 由于我喜欢奶酪，所以点这个。Yóuyú wǒ xǐhuān nǎilào, suǒyǐ diǎn zhège.Because I like cheese, I am ordering this.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a food menu.
- 梓涵 Zihan你看，这里有奶酪披萨。Nǐ kàn, zhèlǐ yǒu nǎilào pīsà.Look, there is cheese pizza here.
- 志强 Zhiqiang太好了，我喜欢奶酪。Tài hǎole, wǒ xǐhuān nǎilào.Great, I like cheese.
- 梓涵 Zihan那我们点这个吧。Nà wǒmen diǎn zhège ba.Then let's order this one.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好的，我也想喝牛奶。Hǎode, wǒ yě xiǎng hē niúnǎi.Okay, I also want to drink milk.
